Just curious to know if anyone did not receive a census form. It is my understanding that they were to have been mailed out mid-March and returned by April 1. I didn't receive one -- just curious if anyone else didn't receive one. Yvonne

Where I am at it is April 10-18. If you go to the Barnes and Noble website and search events for your local store you can find the details. Yvonne in NE

Actually the issue with the three companies that I have seen in the last couple of days saying their costs are going to go up has to do with a change to retiree drug benefits. Here are some quotes from a WSJ article (I won't link it but it is called ObamaCare Day One.) Mr. Reed (Verizon VP) specifically cited a change in the tax treatment of retiree health benefits. When Congress created the Medicare prescription drug benefit in 2003, it included a modest tax subsidy to encourage employers to keep drug plans for retirees, rather than dumping them on the government. The Employee Benefit Research Institute says this exclusion—equal to 28% of the cost of a drug plan—will run taxpayers $665 per person next year, while the same Medicare coverage would cost $1,209..... Democrats decided that this $665 fillip should be subject to the ordinary corporate income tax of 35%. Most consulting firms and independent analysts say the higher costs will induce some companies to drop drug coverage, which could affect about five million retirees and 3,500 businesses. U.S. accounting laws also require businesses to immediately restate their earnings in light of the higher tax burden on their long-term retiree health liabilities. This will have a big effect on their 2010 earnings. (Which is why these big companies are restating their numbers for 2010.) While the drug tax subsidy is for retirees, companies consider their benefit costs as a total package. The new bill might cause some to drop retiree coverage altogether. Others may be bound by labor contracts to retirees, but then they will find other ways to cut costs. This means raising costs or reducing coverage for other employees. There is a 40% tax on high end plans, unless it was dropped in the reconcillation bill. ‘‘SEC. 4980I. EXCISE TAX ON HIGH COST EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH COVERAGE. ‘‘(a) IMPOSITION OF TAX.—If— ‘‘(1) an employee is covered under any applica ble employer-sponsored coverage of an employer at any time during a taxable period, and ‘‘(2) there is any excess benefit with respect to the coverage, there is hereby imposed a tax equal to 40 percent of the excess benefit. There is a whole section on this tax in the bill -- most of which I don't understand!! Yvonne in NE

Here is the section from the bill that covers immunizations. I have been looking through this bill today and have come to the conclusion that until this thing is implemented we really aren't going to know in what ways we will be affected. It seems that every other section is, the Secretary will implement..., the Secretary will determine...., the Secretary will grant.... Until we see that implementation we just aren't going to know for sure what the effects will be. SEC. 4204. IMMUNIZATIONS. (a) State Authority tTo Purchase Recommended Vaccines for Adults- Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b) is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘(l) Authority to Purchase Recommended Vaccines for Adults- ‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may negotiate and enter into contracts with manufacturers of vaccines for the purchase and delivery of vaccines for adults as provided for under subsection (e). ‘(2) STATE PURCHASE- A State may obtain additional quantities of such adult vaccines (subject to amounts specified to the Secretary by the State in advance of negotiations) through the purchase of vaccines from manufacturers at the applicable price negotiated by the Secretary under this subsection.’. (b) Demonstration Program to Improve Immunization Coverage- Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end the following: ‘(m) Demonstration Program tTo Improve Immunization Coverage- ‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall establish a demonstration program to award grants to States to improve the provision of recommended immunizations for children, adolescents, and adults through the use of evidence-based, population-based interventions for high-risk populations. ‘(2) STATE PLAN- To be eligible for a grant under paragraph (1), a State shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a State plan that describes the interventions to be implemented under the grant and how such interventions match with local needs and capabilities, as determined through consultation with local authorities. ‘(3) USE OF FUNDS- Funds received under a grant under this subsection shall be used to implement interventions that are recommended by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services (as established by the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or other evidence-based interventions, including-- ‘(A) providing immunization reminders or recalls for target populations of clients, patients, and consumers; ‘(B) educating targeted populations and health care providers concerning immunizations in combination with one or more other interventions; ‘© reducing out-of-pocket costs for families for vaccines and their administration; ‘(D) carrying out immunization-promoting strategies for participants or clients of public programs, including assessments of immunization status, referrals to health care providers, education, provision of on-site immunizations, or incentives for immunization; ‘(E) providing for home visits that promote immunization through education, assessments of need, referrals, provision of immunizations, or other services; ‘(F) providing reminders or recalls for immunization providers; ‘(G) conducting assessments of, and providing feedback to, immunization providers; ‘(H) any combination of one or more interventions described in this paragraph; or ‘(I) immunization information systems to allow all States to have electronic databases for immunization records. ‘(4) CONSIDERATION- In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider any reviews or recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services. ‘(5) EVALUATION- Not later than 3 years after the date on which a State receives a grant under this subsection, the State shall submit to the Secretary an evaluation of progress made toward improving immunization coverage rates among high-risk populations within the State. ‘(6) REPORT TO CONGRESS- Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of the Affordable Health Choices Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report concerning the effectiveness of the demonstration program established under this subsection together with recommendations on whether to continue and expand such program. ‘(7) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2014.’. © Reauthorization of Immunization Program- Section 317(j) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b(j)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2005’; and (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘after October 1, 1997,’. (d) Rule of Construction Regarding Access to Immunizations- Nothing in this section (including the amendments made by this section), or any other provision of this Act (including any amendments made by this Act) shall be construed to decrease children’s access to immunizations. (e) GAO Study and Report on Medicare Beneficiary Access to Vaccines- (1) STUDY- The Comptroller General of the United States (in this section referred to as the ‘Comptroller General’) shall conduct a study on the ability of Medicare beneficiaries who were 65 years of age or older to access routinely recommended vaccines covered under the prescription drug program under part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act over the period since the establishment of such program. Such study shall include the following: (A) An analysis and determination of-- (i) the number of Medicare beneficiaries who were 65 years of age or older and were eligible for a routinely recommended vaccination that was covered under part D; (ii) the number of such beneficiaries who actually received a routinely recommended vaccination that was covered under part D; and (iii) any barriers to access by such beneficiaries to routinely recommended vaccinations that were covered under part D. (B) A summary of the findings and recommendations by government agencies, departments, and advisory bodies (as well as relevant professional organizations) on the impact of coverage under part D of routinely recommended adult immunizations for access to such immunizations by Medicare beneficiaries. (2) REPORT- Not later than June 1, 2011, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of jurisdiction of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report containing the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Comptroller General determines appropriate. (3) FUNDING- Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 to carry out this subsection Yvonne in NE (I've downloaded a copy of the bill--makes for easier searching.)

That is really strange. I have spoken to both Kinetic Books and Kolbe Academy and received just the opposite information that you were given and that Cleo was given. I specifically told Kinetic Books that I homeschool and they answered both in an email and over that phone that solutions were not available to homeschoolers. I spoke with Kolbe over the phone and was told that I couldn't register for just the Physics course and receive the 'restricted' material. I'll try again. Yvonne in NE

I'll have to call them again then, because they told me just the opposite. You don't know by chance who you spoke with do you? Yvonne

I don't want to cause the thread to be deleted, but if you search for "committe on ways and means wrong prescription", it should be one of the first links. Yvonne in NE

I read it in a report that came out of the House Ways and Means Committee. We are not suppose to include links to outside websites, but you can search for 'expanded role of IRS in Health Care' or I also read it in a blog of Elizabeth Macdonald, a stocks editor for Fox Business (EMac's Stock Watch). Yvonne in NE

It is my understanding that it will be the role of the expanded IRS to determine if your insurance plan is adequate and if not they will now have the ability to issue liens, seize tax refunds, assess penalties, and to verify whether taxpayers' health insurance coverage is "acceptable." Yvonne in NE

There have been a couple of posts recently about the solutions manual for Kinetic Physics. I had planned on using this in the fall for my dd and I was planning on ordering from Kolbe Academy. Based on the posts I have seen recently I decided I had better check and see if I could. Kolbe Academy allows you to register for a single course ($45) EXCEPT for Kinetic Physics. The publisher only allows them to sell the solutions manual to people that are enrolled with them as a registered family (High School student registration fee $290). I also spoke with Kinetic Books and they refuse to sell the Physics Solutions Manual to homeschoolers, although they will sell their Algebra Solutions Manual. So if you need a solutions manual (which I do) for physics the Kinetic courses probably aren't your best fit. Back to the drawing board!! Yvonne in NE

Do a search with the word 'geography'. There have been a couple of geography discussions in the last few weeks. You might find something on one of those discussions. Yvonne in NE

I take issue with the question itself. I use the same textbooks that are used in the local private school. I wish the question did not focus on home schooling. If we are to be limited in our choices, the same should apply to private schools as well. Yvonne in NE

My dd used BJU Geography last year. I found it incredibly boring, but she enjoyed it--she liked all those facts:001_smile: However other than the chapters on the Northern Hemisphere I made all tests open book. I just did not see a good reason to learn all those facts. Yvonne in NE

Make that TWO, Polly. Not that I have ever paid attention to the stars or tags, but I thought a gold star was a good thing!! Boy was I surprised when I clicked on the rating tab and learned that one star meant terrible!! Yvonne in NE

You could build a course around this course -- http://www.learner.org/resources/series1.html Yvonne in NE

Not a TC course, but I came across this sometime ago. You can watch the videos online and maybe find the textbook used. There is also a study guide and a high school guide. Other than providing the link I can't offer any info as I have never used it! http://www.learner.org/resources/series85.html# Yvonne in NE

This reminds me of a friend who had a similar situation when out running errands with her kids. A 'little old lady' wanted to know why they weren't in school and my friend told her that they were homeschooled. The 'little old lady' then went on to ask all kinds of questions. My friend found herself losing patience with her questions/attitude and when the 'little old lady' asked her, "Well how do you know they are getting good grades?" She replied, "Well of course they are getting good grades!! I'm sleeping with the principal!!" Conversation over :001_smile: Yvonne in NE

Thanks everyone for the titles. I appreciate it!! Yvonne in NE

My 14yr old ds enjoys reading WWII stories, especially those that deal with the resistance. He has read everything on our shelves numerous times (Bethlehem Books, Piet Prins books, Inheritance Publication books, Under a War Torn Sky, Hey Mac, etc.) Does anyone have any recommendations for him? They can be fiction or non-fiction. Thanks for any recommendations. Yvonne in NE

Deanna, Thanks for the info. Y

Mrs. Vick is the instructor and covers the material, but Miss Correy (sp) does the investigations. Yvonne in NE

Deanna: Can you tell me what you do not like about the DIVE CD for BJU Physical Science? That was my plan for next year because my two kids that would be using it preferred the new BJU book over the old BJU book. I was planning on using the new book but with the Lab DVD from BJU and just use the DIVE CD's for lectures. In the past I have used new edition BJU books with the older DVD's, but the TOC between the old Physical Science book and the new is very different. Thanks. Yvonne in NE

My dd is using the Chemistry with Dive this year. Her comments: It is better than just the book alone. She doesn't recommend the Apologia Chemistry book, it doesn't go into as much detail as his lessons do. Probably only about half of the terms that he has them look up are in the Apologia textbook. (I should have had her either use the BJU textbook or include the Apologia Advanced Chemistry book as well) She likes him as a teacher. She prefers the DIVE CD's to the DVD's she did with BJU Biology last year. The class chit-chat on the high school science BJU DVD's drove her nuts. (We much preferred the format of the 7th-8th grade BJU DVD's.) She just watches the DIVE Labs, but doesn't do any of them because she is taking an outside Chemistry Lab, which is taught by a former college chemistry professor, at our local homeschool coop. HTH -- sorry I can't offer anything about Biology or Physical Science. Yvonne in NE

Thanks, Susan, for the post. Unless something changes my mind, I will probably go with the BJU course. Y

I'm looking at Geometry options for my ds. My dd used TT and I wasn't thrilled (I don't know why, just didn't care for it.) Does anyone have any opinions about either the new Saxon Geometry (w/ DIVE) or BJUP Geometry (w/ DVDs)? I really need an option that comes with a video component which is why I am looking at these two. I have looked at the Holt Geometry that Jann in TX has recommended and I like the looks of it, but am leery of depending upon a textbook publisher to keep the link available for the videos.:001_huh: Thanks for any help. Yvonne in NE