Ohio
Letters of “Mis” Understanding
After submitting their notification for home schooling to the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District, many families received a letter from the superintendent requesting that they sign a “Letter of Understanding.” This form was accompanied by a cover letter outlining four items the superintendent wanted to emphasize with the family: 1) they have completed the notification form; 2) standardized testing is available at the public school; 3) the results of an academic test must be submitted by July 31; and 4) the educational plan is acceptable AS LONG AS the student is making appropriate progress and the terms of the plan are carried out.
The first item of concern to Home School Legal Defense Association was the deadline for submitting the academic assessment. There is no July 31 deadline in the home school regulations. The law specifically indicates that the assessment is to be submitted “at the time of subsequent notification,” which is generally the end of August or first week of September.
Of even greater concern to home schoolers is item number four: “Your educational plan is acceptable as long as the student(s) is making appropriate progress and the terms of the plan are carried out.” The curriculum information required by law is submitted for informational purposes only. (OAC 3301-34-A(7)). The superintendent has no authority to approve or disapprove the academic program, nor any authority to ensure that the program is being carried out. The academic assessment is simply the means used to determine if academic progress is being made.
As a result, HSLDA advised its member families not to sign the Letter of Understanding which indicated that “It is understood that [family’s name] may educate their child(ren) [child’s name] at home for the 1998–99 school year under the provisions outlined in the Superintendent’s letter.” The home school regulations do not contain any requirement for a parent to sign a letter of understanding. HSLDA directed a letter to the school district on this issue and to date has received no response.
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Ohio
Ohio did not legally become a state until 1953 because Congress had up to then neglected to give formal approval.
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