Access and Attendance Changes Proposed
    Two bills pending in the Pennsylvania General Assembly would directly affect students in a home education program.
    The first, House Bill 267, introduced by Representative Mark McNaughton (R-104) and co-sponsored by 36 other representatives, would require local public school districts to permit a child who is enrolled in a home education program to participate in extracurricular activities such as clubs, musical ensembles, sports, and theatrical productions. There has been a great deal of controversy in the Keystone State over permitting students in a home education program to participate in such activities at the public school, with the issue currently being decided by each individual school district. This legislation, if passed, would override any previous decisions denying such participation to students in a home education program.
    Second, H.B. 286, introduced by Representative James Roebuck (D-188), would lower the compulsory attendance age from eight to six. Home School Legal Defense Association has consistently opposed any lowering of a state’s compulsory attendance age, because this diminishes a parent’s ability to determine when a child is ready for school. Pennsylvania home educators should contact their state representative and express their opposition to this expansion of government control over education.