Georgia
A-Plus Reform Passes Both Houses
Governor Roy Barnes’ A-Plus Education Reform Act of 2000, House Bill 1187, contains provisions directly affecting home schooling families. It lowers the compulsory attendance age from seven to six years old. It also creates a provision for voluntary pre-enrollment of children at two years of age in the local public school district, including the submission of a certificate of immunization indicating compliance with age-specific immunizations.
Lowering the compulsory attendance age subjects home educators in Georgia to the home study program requirements one year earlier than now required. This means submitting the declaration of intent, teaching the required subjects for the required time of four and one-half hours each day for the equivalent of 180 days, keeping attendance records, and submitting attendance records to the local school superintendent on a monthly basis. Further, parents of six year olds will be required to write an annual progress assessment report in each of the required subject areas.
Although the pre-enrollment of children in public school at age two is voluntary, HSLDA is of the opinion that the state has no interest whatsoever in the education of children this age. Further, it should not be the function of public school officials to monitor the immunizations of children who may never enter public school. HSLDA consistently opposes state tracking of any health care decisions parents make for children. At press time, H.B. 1187 had passed both houses and was awaiting Governor Barne’s signature.
Extracurricular Activities
Introduced by Senator Mike Crotts (R-17) on January 27, 2000, Senate Bill 374 would entitle students in private schools and home study programs to participate in extracurricular programs offered in the public school that the student would otherwise attend. Participating students would have to meet the same requirements established for the public school students in the extracurricular program except for attendance at that school. Private school students would not be permitted to participate in any extracurricular program at the public school if it was substantially similar to an extracurricular program in which the student participates in the private school where the student attends.
HSLDA takes a neutral position on legislation that would permit home school students to participate in activities at the public school. — Dewitt T. Black
