From: Gladys Stefany

To: learn-usa.com

Cc: K12PAVCS@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Article on Homeschoolers and K12 Charter Schoolers

Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 15:46:20 -0400

Au contraire! I definitely can win the debate on the issues, but your article was so lengthy and filled with so many inaccuracies and distortions of the truth regarding K12 that I knew it would take more time than I have at the present to answer it. However, we finish school on Friday and I will answer it.

Note:  Which article is she referring to?  The only one URL she has referenced is http://www.homeschoolfreedom.org.

I would first like to know what qualifies you as a “researcher of education”? What degrees do you hold that qualify you to do this and make publicly posted statements with regard to curricula? For whom are you employed to do this research? Also, as you took a swipe at Dr. Bennett's gambling habits in your response to my earlier post, I can rightfully assume that you have a strong political agenda here that would exclude you from being an objective researcher of education. If that is what you were, Dr. Bennett's personal habits would not have entered into your conversation. You would have stuck to the discussion of the curriculum.

Note: It says a lot that Gladys doesn't think Bill Bennett's gambling habits are a reflection on his character.  It is equally obvious that Gladys has an elitist attitude: “only people who have been to college have the intelligence to understand what education is all about!”

I suspect your title of “researcher of education” means as much as my title of “Domestic Engineer”.

Note: Gladys, once again, asserting her assumptions.

As for your opinions being discussed on some of the cybercharter lists, they are. You made your feelings public so you should not be surprised that they are being discussed as that is apparently what you wanted. We (K12 parents) are exercising a right to educational choice that has had to be fought for every step of the way. We know it is not right for everyone and that it is not perfect, but it is our choice and we have a right to defend it when someone who apparently knows very little about it chooses to shoot out mistruths and misrepresentations of the truth in an effort to push a political agenda that would deny us our right to choice.

Note: What was that Gladys said about “irrational fears” and “paranoia”?

Gladys Stefany

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