House Bill 537: Increases Testing Requirements and Regulations on Homeschools

Sponsor:
Delegate Harry J. Parrish, Senator Charles J. Colgan

Summary:
This bill would:

1. Require that homeschool parents notify the superintendent immediately if they change their curriculum during the school year;
2. Raise the required standardized achievement test composite score from the 4th stanine to the 5th stanine;
3. Allow the superintendent to terminate the homeschool program or grant an extension for one year, if the family does not provide evidence of progress;
4. Allow the superintendent to terminate the homeschool program at any time if the remediation plan is not satisfactory or if it is evident that progress is not being made during the school year.

The Education Sub-Committee approved a motion to "pass by indefinitely" which effectively defeated the bill. It is still possible for the entire Education Committee to reconsider the bill but this outcome is unlikely. HSLDA will continue to watch this bill until the end of the legislative session.

Status:

1/9/2006		(House): Prefiled And Ordered Printed
1/9/2006		(Senate): Committee Referral Pending
1/18/2006		(H) Assigned To Education Sub-Committee: Students And Daycare, Delegate Carrico, Chair.
1/23/2006		(House): Education Sub-Committee Hearing: House Room 7W, General Assembly Building.
1/23/2006		(House): Education Sub-Committee killed the bill.

HSLDA's Position:
Oppose.

Action Requested:
No more action is necessary.

Other Resources

Jan.-26-2006—Act Now to Stop House Bill 537

Jan.-25-2006—Subcommittee Rejects Giving Control to Superintendents

Bill Text