National Merit Finalist

[ponch21]

I have a student who is one of 15,000 National Merit Scholars this year. Anyone have any idea how many of those kids are public school educated vs private vs homeschooled? Anyone ever seen this data? Just curious.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

I have a student who is one of 15,000 National Merit Scholars this year. Anyone have any idea how many of those kids are public school educated vs private vs homeschooled? Anyone ever seen this data? Just curious.

Congratulations to your student!

I went to the website, however the way it is worded it is not clear if homeschooled children are able to participate in this program. You can check the site your self here:

National Merit Scholarship Corporation - National Merit Scholarship Program (http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php)

[ponch21]

I did a quick Google search earlier and I found at least one story of a homeschooler as a finalist. So they must be eligible.

It is pretty cool - I can't take responsibility for his accomplishments - he is the smartest student I have ever had. Amazing writer, thinker, and person. He will do amazing things.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

I did a quick Google search earlier and I found at least one story of a homeschooler as a finalist. So they must be eligible.

It is pretty cool - I can't take responsibility for his accomplishments - he is the smartest student I have ever had. Amazing writer, thinker, and person. He will do amazing things.

Wow, you had better luck than me with the google. I'm glad that at least homeschoolers are allowed to participate. Don't know how we could find the breakdown of all the honorees (public, private, homeschool).

That's wonderful about your student! Always good to hear a student ACTUALLY in school to learn, and doing so! Some children are just natural born scholars, it is a gift from God.

[ponch21]

Knowing my student as well as I do, he would probably disagree with you on the gift from God thing.

It is fun when you get kids like him in your classroom.

[ThomasIsUnderrated]

I have a student who is one of 15,000 National Merit Scholars this year. Anyone have any idea how many of those kids are public school educated vs private vs homeschooled? Anyone ever seen this data? Just curious.

No idea, but I was one. At the time, I thought you had to be in either a public or private school, but maybe I just wasn't aware that homeschoolers were part of the program too. (The requirements have probably changed.)

[DesertFox]

You were a National Merit Scholar, Thomas?

I'm impressed.

[Bluemoon_Rising]

Knowing my student as well as I do, he would probably disagree with you on the gift from God thing.

So he's not so bright after all, eh? :D

That's a joke, ponch. How have you been? Long time, no read.

I was certainly no Merit Scholar, I was a skirt scholar. :D

[ponch21]

Been doing ok - took me awhile to get out of the election funk. Not to mention coaching a football team and doing my best to be a dad takes most of my time.

Not much on the board that gets my goat lately - been talking with my wife about my transformation from macro-issues to micro-issues. Less concern with war in Iraq and more concern with high school kids making stupid choices - can't win either one, but my focus is changing.

I spend most of my time here at the education forum - issue near and dear to my heart.

Been following your ID debate with Bob, very interesting stuff - I am impressed with your arguments as always.