Oprah Dis’s Homeschoolers
Filed Under: Homeschooling
Oprah Winfrey recently announced Oprah’s National High School Essay Contest. And for some reason, she is explicity preventing homeschoolers from competing.
The rules state: “Contest open to all legal residents of the US, who are currently enrolled full-time (and in good standing) in a public or state-accredited private or parochial school, grades 9 - 12.”
Homeschooling has come a long way in recent years. There are many scholarships and educational competitions open to homeschooled students, as well as many schools that open their doors to homeschoolers for certain classes and extra-curricular activities. I’m not a fan, or a regular viewer, of the Oprah show and I don’t know much about her philosophy. So my question is: Why, Oprah? Why?
PHAT = Parenting, Homeschooling And Technology. That about sums up my life at the moment. 
Subscribe To This Blog
Sara Lewis | Jan 28, 2006 | Reply
Someone (I’m sorry I’ve deleted the email) on one of my email listserves posted that they had called to ask about homeschoolers taking part in the contest. Apparently a producer checked and got back to them that homeschoolers could still participate - but I’m sorry I’ve forgotten the exact details. It’s not well stated though, and I think they should change the wording. Maybe if more people call in to ask about it?
Anonymous | Jan 29, 2006 | Reply
this must be an oversight. Oprah is never exclusionary and education is one of her top priorities.
Shannon | Jan 29, 2006 | Reply
According to the HSLDA’s web site (I do not endorse the HSLDA, but I’m just quoting the info I found): “We contacted your show to see if homeschoolers could be included and were rebuffed.”
I’m not sure exactly what that means, but she’s got a pretty big team of people working with her and I find it hard to believe she used that language in her rules, yet “unintentionally” left out homeschoolers.
Anonymous | Jan 29, 2006 | Reply
I’d like to know what rebuffed means. Did they tell whomever called an outright no in the initial call? It’s hard to believe that any staff member would answer immediately; seems to me they’d take the safe route and call back later after consultation with the contest committee.
If it’s true, I’d sure like to know the reasons