Craig wrote to Rob Williamson in July 2009. Rob Williamson was the person in charge of home education reviews for many years. I think he would be the person who has done the most reviews of home educators of any reviewers. He came to have a great understanding of home education. He loved doing reviews of home educators. Home educators loved Rob Williamson. Please read the next to letters.
From: Craig Smith <craig@hef.org.nz>
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 at 4:36?PM
Subject: Home Education Reviews
To: <Rob_Williamson@ero.govt.nz>
Gidday Rob,
Long time no see. How are you? Have you started writing your memoirs yet? I do reckon your comprehensive overview of home education in NZ and the intimate way you’ve learned about home education, come to know home educators and have come to be known, respected and well-liked among home educators…that this is unique knowledge that should be recorded for posterity. And I reckon it would make a really good read as well!
I’ve just heard about the cessation of regular reviews. The wee notice on the ERO Website doesn’t give much away. I would guess it is part of Anne Tolley’s cost cutting. Would there be much more to it than that?
As I recall from when Lockwood Smith did the same way back in 1994 I believe it was, the bad eggs floated to the top and were identified and dealt with much more quickly and in larger numbers than before or since!
I’m hoping to publish the next TEACH Bulletin this weekend, so if there was any more to say, I’d love to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Craig & Barbara Smith
Home Education Foundation
Now Rob Williamson’s letter
On Thu, 30 Jul 2009 at 5:07?AM, Rob Williamson <Rob.Williamson@ero.govt.nz> wrote:
Kia ora Craig
Thanks for your email.
I am still working full time and am currently in the Acting National Manager of Te Uep? ?-Motu a reporting section of ERO which reviews all k?hanga reo and kura kaupapa M?ori. It is a most interesting and rewarding job. I will be in this post until mid September, when I take over a role related to report production. I still have the responsibility for home schooling and will coordinate the 35 home schooling reviews ERO will undertake as a result of requests from the Secretary for Education.
The reality is home schooling has been found to be low risk.
Several things stand out in my mind relating to home schooling and they are:
· home schooling families have support from other homeschoolers and access to people through support networks and through the Internet;
· home schooling families are no longer isolated unless they choose to be;
· there is easy access to a considerable range of resources;
· the skills of home schooling parents are well used;
· home schooling is being seen more as a viable educational option;
· ICT is a powerful communication and information gathering tool and home schooling families use this tool;
· people liked the affirmation a home schooling reviews affirmed good practice; and
· despite initial concerns the feedback ERO has received relating to the home school review process is mostly positive;
I always thought it was great to be paid to do something I really valued. I have really appreciated my time as the manager of the Homeschooling Unit and have had the privilege of meeting and working with many home schooling families, who are totally dedicated to teaching their children at least as regularly ands well as in a registered school.
I have enjoyed our liaisons Craig and have appreciated receiving the Teach and Keystone.
My very best wishes to you, Barbara and your family and to all of the home schooling fraternity.
Very best regards
Rob