REPLY AWL

There was an article in the June 24 edition of the Independent which talked about children under five being suspended from British schools for "sexually explicit behaviour." The problem is, the article doesn't mention any specific sexual behaviour. "Reported incidents included biting, a persistent refusal to follow instructions, swearing, running away from staff, kicking or hitting staff, climbing the school fence and throwing chairs." Doesn't sound like sexually abused children acting out to me. It just sounds like undisciplined children. An article in the June 23 edition of The Guardian talks about flexi-time, where children spend part of the week in school and part of the week being educated at home. The writer predicts this practice will become more widespread due to new home-schooling regulations in the UK. "Badman (appropriate name, AH) called for restrictions for full-time home educators, forcing families who opt out of schooling to register annually with their local authorities, submit learning plans and undergo regular inspections." Want to guess how many learning plans will be approved and how many parents will pass inspection? I really don't think flexi-time is a good idea. Homeschoolers should not be bedfellows with the public school system. A post on the public school system is coming up. The writer sites the social benefits of flexi-time. I'd like to point out that home-schooled children don't suffer less socially than children who go to regular schools. They can play and participate in activities with their publicly educated friends outside of school hours. I would remind UK parents of the axiom "you can't have it both ways." As for home schooling parents having to submit learning plans, where's the guy who mailed the anthrax letters when you need him?