House Bill 2797: Repeals Notification and Examination Requirements

Author:
Oregon Home Education Network and Oregon Christian Education Association Network

Summary:
House Bill 2797 has been introduced, which would remove the requirements that homeschools provide a notice of intent to homeschool and standardized testing to the Department of Education. Currently under Oregon law a parent must supply a notice of intent within 10 days of beginning homeschool. In addition a parent must provide an assessment test to be completed for grades 3, 5, 8, 10.

This bill would broaden the rights of parents with regard to the education of their children and reduce the amount of government control over children attending private homeschools. House Bill 2797 will place homeschool programs in a similar situation as private schools.

Status:

2/23/2009		(House) Introduced
2/25/2009		(House) Referred to House Education Committee
4/15/2009		(House) Referred to House Education Committee

HSLDA's Position:
HSLDA supports H.B. 2797.

Action Requested:
No action is requested at this time.

Background:

Oregon first enacted a homeschool law in 1985, nearly 25 years ago. Since that time, numerous efforts have been made to enact amendments providing more freedom to parents. The most recent change in the law occurred in 1999 when significant progress was made in reducing state oversight of homeschooling. House Bill 2797 represents a continuation of legislative efforts to gain more freedom for parents.

If House Bill 2797 is enacted, Oregon will join a growing majority of states requiring no standardized testing of homeschooled students.

Other Resources

E-lert—4/13/2009—Oregon--Your Action Needed on Favorable Homeschool Bill!

Bill Text