New Mexico
District Drops Home Schooling Fee
Albuquerque Independent School District proposed charging a $20 fee to parents who teach their children at home. The fee would pay for materials instructing parents on the state laws governing home education and for processing paperwork registering the parents.
The proposal sparked severe criticism from many home schooling groups within the state, including Christian Association of Parent Educators of New Mexico. On behalf of our members, Home School Legal Defense Association sent a letter to both the Albuquerque ISD and the State Department of Education expressing disapproval of the proposal.
After being bombarded with articulate opposition, Albuquerque ISD abandoned the fee. The approximately 1,500 home schooling families registered with the school district greeted this move with much joy.
Another issue under examination is whether Albuquerque ISD should charge home schoolers for participation in public school elective classes. The school board’s policy committee has recommended a $335-per-semester fee when a home schooler attends public school to take an elective class. According to Albuquerque ISD officials, this idea is still under deliberation, but it won’t be brought up for action in the near future. — J. Michael Smith
