
DATE: Friday, July 11, 1997                 TAG: 9707090184

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: COVER STORY 

SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:  106 lines

A MATTER OF CHOICE SCHOOLS SEEK PART-TIMERS TO FILL STUDENT, BANK ROLLS

WITH DROPPING enrollment in its public school system, Portsmouth is acting on legislation recently passed by the Virginia General Assembly that the city hopes will boost its number of students.

Although some of Virginia's public school districts already allow home-schooled and private school students to take public school classes, the new policy, approved during the Assembly's last session, officially sanctions the option. School districts also will receive state funds for each home-schooled and private school student who takes classes in the public school system.

Portsmouth has begun a promotional campaign to draw those students into its schools starting in the upcoming academic year. The program applies to kindergarten through 12th grade.

Kerri L. Albertson is a public information officer for the city's school system.

``We have declining enrollment in our schools, and this is a way to pull some students back in,'' said Albertson. ``We're not trying to pull them away from home and private schools, but this offers them an opportunity for a curriculum they might not be able to get, such as classes in art, music, physical educations, computer science, and magnet programs.''

But many of Portsmouth's home-school parents are skeptical of the new policy. Caroline M. Barnes, co-founder of the locally-based group Home Educators Association for Restoration and Training, is presently home-schooling her two children.

``I realize that Portsmouth is a poor school district,'' said Barnes, 46, ``but most children that are home-schooled left the public school system because they and their parents were dissatisfied. I don't see them going back.''

Betty J. Irwin of Portsmouth is the chairperson of HEART and is home-schooling her two sons, Theodore, 8, and Donald, 7.

``Home-schooling has been turned to because the public schools have not been fulfilling students' needs,'' said Irwin, 35. ``This policy has something to do with fund raising.''

Albertson confirms the policy will provide a source of revenue, but notes that the program has already been paid for.

``The program is there,'' said Albertson. ``And sure, the extra funding is a plus, but the parent's are getting what they've paid for in taxes. We've had about a dozen inquires about the program so far. We don't expect big numbers, but it's an option for the public to get its money's worth.''

While the state's numbers of home-schooled and private school students go up each year - about 10,000 home-schoolers were registered in 1996 and '97 according to the Department of Education - some of the city's home-schoolers see advantages in taking public school classes. Mary A. Booth has home-schooled her children and had them enrolled in Portsmouth city schools.

``I've home-schooled my kids at various times, depending on what they've needed,'' said Booth, 45. ``But you don't always have the time. I think the ruling is wonderful. It offers the best of both worlds.''

Booth's son, Benjamin, 16, was home-schooled for the 5th grade, but returned to the public school system.

``Home-schooling taught me responsibility, but one thing you don't get is socialization and the opportunity to play sports,'' he said.

But for home-schoolers and private school students who take public school classes, participation in the public school's sports programs is doubtful. According to the Virginia High School League, an organization which supervises regulations for all of the state's public high school athletic programs, having a home-schooled or private school student on the team will usually disqualify that team from sanctioned competition.

``It's not easy to determine a home-schooled student's required academic level,'' said Robert L. Button, assistant director of VHLS. ``Plus, many schools are opposed to possibly having to cut a full-time enrolled student for a home-schooled or private school student.''

The minimum academic requirement to participate in public school athletics is passing grades in at least five classes, according to Button. Figures published this year by Dr. Brian Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute in Salem, Ore., indicate that home-schooled students score an average of at least 20 percent higher on standardized achievement tests than public school students.

Private school personnel contacted said that they have heard of no interest in Portsmouth's campaign to attract home and private school students. Paul D. Gunsalus is an administrator at Sweethaven Christian Academy, a private institution with kindergarten through 12th grade.

``We have no problem with the ruling, but we haven't had any requests about it,'' Gunsales said. ``Home-schoolers might want to take advantage of the variety of classes, but for private school students, we're already meeting their needs.''

Portsmouth Catholic Elementary School Principal Thea J. Haubrich said: ``The idea offers some extra course advantages, but we haven't had any interest in it yet.''

Martha H. Zook, a Portsmouth resident, home-schooler and former chairman of HEART says she'll be ``surprised'' if many people opt for public school classrooms.

``We're not against it, we're not the police of home-schooling,'' said Zook, 42. ``I just don't think people will beat the doors down to get back into a place they wanted out from. But it is the individual's choice.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos/MARK MITCHELL

Betty and Donald Irwin, top left to right, home school their two

sons Theodore and Donald. Martha Zook, second from right, home

schools her children, Cathy, Mary and Abby. These parents don't

believe the public school's offer of part-time status will draw many

students.

Kerri Albertson, public information officer for the Portsmouth

schools says declining enrollment has led to the offer of part-time

status.