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VIRGINIA

Old prejudices revealed in hearing

Homeschool advocates and education establishment representatives came head-to-head in a February 19, 2004, Virginia Senate Education Committee hearing on House Bill 675, a measure that eliminates the baccalaureate degree requirement so that parents with a high school diploma can homeschool their children without arbitrary government supervision. (HB 675 was introduced early this year and had already been passed by the house of delegates.)

Testifying before the committee in a hearing room packed with homeschoolers, Home School Legal Defense Association Senior Counsel Christopher Klicka cited research showing that homeschooled children whose parents have high school diplomas (but no college degree) score 20–35 points above the national average on achievement tests. In fact, Virginia is the only state that still requires homeschool parents to have an education beyond high school. Emphasizing that Virginia should focus on proven results rather than qualifications, Klicka urged that HB 675 be passed, ending the discrimination against non-college graduates.

Senior Counsel Chirstopher Klicka testifies in senate hearing on VA HB 675

HSLDA Attorney Scott Woodruff followed Klicka with testimony about the obstacles parents without a college degree face. He said that at least 15 Virginia school districts in any given year cause trouble for homeschool parents who have only a high school diploma.

Delegate Rob Bell, the sponsor of the bill, added that approximately 70 percent of parents in Virginia do not have a college degree and would be barred from homeschooling under the current law without direct approval from the local superintendent of schools.

In a previous hearing on February 13, 2004, opponents of the bill had said that homeschoolers are usually below their grade level when they reenter the public school system. Anticipating this argument, lobbyist Joe Guarino from the Home Educators Association of Virginia testified that he queried several school districts to find out how many homeschoolers actually reenter public school. Each district told him that only a few homeschoolers reenter the public schools every year, and their education is not deficient upon reentrance. One official told Guarino that she had been with her school for 30 years and had encountered no problems with homeschoolers' academics.

Opponents of the bill offered no proof as to why it should be defeated. Instead, they relied on emotional, anecdotal arguments.

Taking issue with HSLDA's statement that more regulations do not improve education, Virginia Education Association President Jean Bankos told the committee, "You have a responsibility to make sure every child in the state gets the same education you would want for your child." When asked whether results or regulations are more important in education, Bankos stated that results are more important. A senator asked why Bankos opposed the bill then, since studies show that homeschoolers are performing above average. Bankos avoided the question several times and failed to provide a logical response.

State Secretary of Education Belle Wheelan said it would be a "travesty" to let just anyone be responsible for the education of a child. "Teaching is a profession," Wheelan said. "My own son graduated from high school on a Tuesday. We didn't know until the preceding Friday that he was going to graduate. I wouldn't want him teaching any grandchildren I have. I love him dearly, but he's not qualified to do that." What Wheelan failed to realize was that in this statement, she implicitly condemned the public education product, implying that 12 years in the public schools does not even give parents the ability to teach their own elementary-age children without direct supervision.

Senator Richard Saslaw attacked the studies mentioned by HSLDA, pointing out that of course homeschool students perform above average, because most come from stable middle-class, two-parent families. Yet he failed to suggest any legitimate reason why these children need more regulation. Instead, he offered a story from his personal experience of a public school that had trouble with homeschoolers coming back into the system. Delegate Bell quickly countered this argument by sharing that his nephew, a homeschool student, had entered the public school system, attending and graduating with honors from the very school Senator Saslaw mentioned.

Klicka and HEAV lobbyist Joe Guarino pause out side the General Assembly Building

"The opponents of HB 675 didn't want to be confused by the facts," observed Klicka. "They just did not think parents with high school diplomas were smart enough to teach their children without government supervision."

Although HB 675 did not pass out of committee in the vote immediately following the hearing (one of the bill's supporters was sick and not able to vote by proxy, resulting in a tie), Senator Russ Potts ensured that the bill would be brought up at a later date. A week later, the committee again voted on the bill, passing it on to the senate.

In the 40-minute debate preceding the senate's March 1 vote on the bill, 15 senators spoke, some once again demonstrating their extreme prejudice toward homeschooling. Joe Guarino observed the lengthy debate in the senate and reported on the action. Senator Janet Howell said, "If you are a proponent of children, then you must be repulsed by this bill. Parents will have total control of the education of their child." Senator Patsy Ticer thought the bill "defies common sense" because it "dumbs down" our children, adding that only professionals should teach children and parents do not qualify. Senator Richard Saslaw commented, "I wouldn't want a parent with a high school diploma teaching my kid!" He also stated that it was "absurd" for anyone to think that a homeschool education was as good as public education.

Such comments drew a pointed response from Senator William Mims, who referred to them as "somewhat elitist." Nonetheless, the senate voted 25-15 to pass HB 675. The measure was sent to Governor Mark Warner on March 21, and it is sitting on his desk as this article goes to press. He has 30 days to sign or veto the bill. (Check HSLDA's website under "Virginia" for the latest updates on HB 675.) Virginia families deserve credit for their effective response to HSLDA's alerts by calling their legislators and attending committee meetings.

— by Christopher J. Klicka