House Bill 2879: Testing Requirements and Special Education

Author:
Rep. Horace Hardwick (R-99th District)

Summary:
As amended, this bill clarifies that homeschool students are to be tested using a nationally recognized norm-referenced achievement test. Previously the test did not have to be norm-referenced but could have been criterion-referenced according to the public school curriculum.

This bill also ensures that a homeschool student who previously refused to participate in testing but who corrects the refusal is entitled to be restored to homeschool status. This protects a formerly truant homeschool student from being required to attend public school.

The amended version of this bill also adds a provision to treat homeschool students with learning disabilities the same as private school students with respect to eligibility for special education services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Status:
This bill passed the House and Senate, and was signed by the Governor on April 22, 2003.

HSLDA's Position:
HSLDA supports this bill.

Other Resources

Bill Text (pdf)