Previous Issue Current Issue Next Issue About Search Archives Advertising VOLUME XX, NUMBER 5 - disclaimer - September / October 2004 FEATURES The Law: A good weapon in the right hands Third annual essay contest results Category 1: It took a cow to prove it Category 2: Wisdom from Grandpa DEPARTMENTS Doc's digest Freedom watch From the heart To do good and share what you have From the director Impact of the fund Mission statement of HSF Across the states Active cases Around the globe Announcing HSLDA Japan Meet Hiro Inaba Encouraging homeschool moms Members only Questions about the new member rates? HSLDA membership rate increases About campus President's page The angry child ET AL. On the other hand: a Contrario Sensu Prayer & Praise HSLDA social services contact policy/A plethora of forms HSLDA legal inquiries  «   LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE UPDATES   »  ACROSS THE STATES AL · CA · CT · ID · IA · KY · MD · NJ · NM · NY · OH · OK · OR · RI · TX · VT · VA · WY TEXAS School districts harass homeschoolers Two Home School Legal Defense Association member families were recently requested by their local school districts to verify their homeschool status in writing—a procedure that is not required by Texas law. One of the families, located in Lips-comb County, received a call from a school district official asking them to sign a form stating that they were homeschooling.* The father verified with HSLDA that Texas law does not require the submission of any forms to operate a legal private school, and told the official that he would not sign the form. The school followed up with a home visit, insisting that the form be signed. Upon the father's continued refusal, the official backed down and has not contacted the family further. After a member family in Harris County removed their children from public school to begin homeschooling, they were repeatedly called by a school district official asking for written verification of the homeschool program. Having contacted HSLDA for advice, the family informed the official that they were legally homeschooling. The family has received no further contact from the district. Any HSLDA member family whose school district requests information not required by law should contact our office for assistance. * See "A plethora of forms". Homeschool family faces truancy charges The Prentiss* family removed their children from public school and began homeschooling in January 2004. They voluntarily notified the school district of their intention to homeschool, but the school district was apparently not satisfied, as the family was served with a truancy notice at the end of the school year. HSLDA Counsel Tom Sanders is currently representing the family, and expects to have the truancy charges dismissed. — by Christopher J. Klicka * Name changed to protect family's privacy.