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ACROSS THE STATES

Homeschoolers weather hearings

The Vermont Department of Education called an unprecedented number of hearings on homeschoolers this past fall. Many of these hearings involved children with special needs. In case after case, families were told that the information they had sent in was "not sufficient" for department officials. Fortunately, despite prolonged difficulties throughout the fall and into early winter, each of these hearings has been resolved without significant loss of homeschool liberties.

State homeschool leaders have been discussing the problem with members of the state board of education, the incoming commissioner of education, and influential legislators. Everyone agrees that this year's problems will be unacceptable in the future. At this point, the most effective way to resolve these problems may be to work with friendly policy makers within Vermont's government. If these efforts fail, new legislation will be essential.