International Baccalaureate Organization

One of the nice things about homeschooling is that all homeschoolers are free to form their own opinions about things and use the method of homeschooling that works best for their children. Spunky disapproves of the IBO schools, on the other hand I think they are a good idea. After looking over the curriculum and their mission statement I realize they are set up along the same lines my homeschool is.
This is the IBO schools mission statement.

We promote intercultural understanding and respect, not as an alternative to a sense of cultural and national identity, but as an essential part of life in the 21st century. All of this is captured in our mission statement. The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

My goal as a homeschool Mom is to imbue a love of learning in my students, so they will embrace learning for the rest of their lives, to create good citizens who will be active in their communities and compassionate toward those less fortunate then themselves and that they will be tolerant of people who hold different views and beliefs then themselves. The IBO has a rigours program of academic study that even the most gifted student would find challenging. As a proponent of CHOICE for all parents and students I support the IBO schools as I think they have a lot to offer.

And that brings me to an item in the news.

As he prepares to become the first Muslim in Congress, Rep.-elect Keith Ellison says the Constitution gives him the right to take the oath of office on the Quran, and that's what he intends to do Jan. 4

As America is based on freedom of religion, I don't see the problem with Representative - elect Ellison taking the oath of office on the Quran. This is "the book" his religion holds dear. To me it makes more sense that he take the oath on the book that he considers holy then the book another religious group considers holy. This in no way infringes on the rights of Christians and it goes a long way in showing that all religions are respected in America.