Maine
Is YOUR Child a Suspect?
Recent changes in federal and state regulations have prompted a flurry of unwelcome letters to home schoolers from Maine school districts. Under these recent federal regulations, states must implement a specified “child find” program. States must now locate, identify and evaluate all children who are suspected of having disabilities or risk losing federal money.
Because of these regulations, many Maine home school families have received a letter from their school district asking the family to contact the school’s special services unit if they “feel that there is a student in your school who someone suspects” is disabled. The letter seems to imply that being suspected of having disability subjects a student to the school’s authority.
As with all unwarranted government intrusion, the U.S. Constitution provides significant protection to citizens. Home School Legal Defense Association member families who receive this sort of letter are not obliged to allow their children to be identified or evaluated. Typically, districts send a form letter asking for a response only if the recipient “suspects” a student of being disabled. For most home school families, the best plan is simply to ignore the letter.
However, if someone else suspects a child in your home of being disabled, you may be contacted by the school district. If this happens, please call HSLDA. – Scott A. Woodruff
