| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 1/18/2002 11:06:36 AM Scott W. Somerville, Esq., Staff Attorney of HSLDA Kentucky--H.B. 54 On The March |
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- January 18, 2002 Dear Kentucky Members and Friends, We are concerned about Rep. Barbara Ann Colter's newest effort to regulate home schooling. Although her efforts have not gotten very far in previous years, there seem to be people who are agitating in favor of House Bill 54 (H.B. 54) this year. Here, for example, is the text of a letter that was handed out at an Adair County Chamber of Commerce meeting: ***************TEXT OF ADAIR COUNTY LETTER*************** We need your help now! And please tell others. The Adair County Social Action Committee, sponsored by Catholic Charities, needs your help in the form of advocacy for the education of all children. Local members are [names deleted]. - Every child has the right to a good education. You may be shocked to learn that Kentucky has essentially NO regulation of home schooling. Parents simply turn in the name, age and address of each student. There are no teacher qualifications, no progress reports, no curriculum guidelines, no testing of students and no contact or oversight by public school officials. - We are not opposed to home schooling. Many families do a great job with their children. Of concern are those parents who are either incapable of educating their children or simply won't make the effort. We believe some parents home school their children to avoid dealing with truancy, delinquency and learning problems or to conceal evidence of child neglect and abuse. - Adair County now has 146 students in home schools. The number grows each year. - Rep. Barbara Colter has filed House Bill 161 [now H.B. 54], which would make several much needed changes to Kentucky law as it relates to home schoolers. - Please help by contacting our legislators in Frankfort IMMEDIATELY. Home school associations have powerful lobbyists and strong legal defense representation. Many legislators are reluctant to take a stand on this issue. SUMMARY OF BILL: House Bill BR 161 [now H.B. 54] Author: Rep. Barbara Colter This bill would make much needed changes in Kentucky law as it relates to home schooling. The following changes are proposed: - Home schools, nonpublic schools, and private schools would be given separate legal definitions. - A declaration of intent to home school must be done two weeks before the home school starts instead of an enrollment report within two weeks after the start of the school year. - Instead of only reporting the name, age, and address of each student as present law requires, the parent must submit the following: Name, age, and grade level of students; address; proposed calendar; proposed hours of instruction; name of teacher; and teacher's educational level. - Parents must have a high school diploma or GED. - The home study program must submit scholarship and attendance reports to the director of pupil personnel. - Scholarship reports are defined as "including, but not limited to, a traditional report card, a portfolio of exemplary work, a narrative assessment, or other forms of assessment. Reports shall be summarized or tabulated in planned intervals throughout the year or at the same interval as the grading period of the local public school." - Directors of pupil personnel are encouraged to make at least one home visit per year, although this must be with the consent of the home schooler. - Students must take an annual norm-referenced test either under the supervision of the public school or at the parents' expense. In Kentucky, EDUCATION PAYS! Let there be "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND." ***************END OF ADAIR COUNTY LETTER*************** REQUESTED ACTION: As you can see, we have our work cut out for us. The legislators whose names were mentioned in the Adair County letter are getting calls from people who want to regulate home schooling. You can get YOUR legislator's name and telephone number by clicking www.HSLDA.org and entering your zip code in the "Legislative Toolbox" on the home page. Please do so, and then forward this e-mail to friends of home school freedoms. You can read the full text of this bill at: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/record/02rs/HB54.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | |
