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| Date: From: Subject: | 10/21/2002 3:22:21 PM Home School Legal Defense Association DC Committee Votes Tomorrow on Sending 3-year-olds to School |
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- October 21, 2002 DC COMMITTEE TO VOTE TOMORROW---TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22---ON COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE FOR 3 YEAR OLDS Dear DC Members and Friends: Tomorrow the District of Columbia Council's Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation is scheduled to vote on Bill 14-261, which would strip parents of their right to decide whether their 3 year old should begin school. It would make all 3 year olds, and even some 2 year olds, subject to compulsory education. See our previous e-lerts at http://www.hslda.org/legislation/state/dc/2001/dcb14- 261/default.asp . ACTION REQUESTED Today or early tomorrow, please call every member of the Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation. Your message may be as simple as the following: "Please vote against Bill 14-261. Do not take away parents' right to decide what is best for their 3 and 4 year olds." Remember that this bill would affect all children, so it is not important to identify yourself as a homeschooler. Please pass this information along to all other parents you believe would be interested in this issue. Committee members and their telephone numbers are listed below. COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, LIBRARIES AND RECREATION Kevin Chavous, Chairperson 202-724-8068 Sharon Ambrose 202-724-8072 Adrian Fenty 202-724-8052 Phil Mendelson 202-724-8064 Carol Schwartz 202-724-8105 BACKGROUND The bill was scheduled for a committee hearing on May 20, 2002. HSLDA Attorney Scott Woodruff and local homeschoolers arrived at the hearing room only to find that it had been cancelled on extremely short notice. We were told that it would be rescheduled and that we would be notified. Rather than rescheduling a hearing, the committee instead scheduled a "round table." This is very similar to a hearing, but the requirements for notifying the public are somewhat different. In violation of the rules of the District of Columbia, the round table was held without any notice whatsoever to the public. Not surprisingly, we understand there was no testimony at the round table in opposition to the bill. District of Columbia rules allow written testimony to be submitted within a certain time period after a round table. We submitted lengthy written testimony within the appropriate time period, but we were deprived of our right to present testimony through witnesses. HSLDA has written a letter of protest to all members of the committee. REASONS TO OPPOSE BILL 14-261 1. This radical change to DC's compulsory attendance law is unprecedented and unconstitutional. For an outline of constitutional issues, see our memorandum to the DC Council. [http://www.hslda.org/legislation/state/dc/2001/dcb14-261/DC14- 261memo.pdf] 2. Children under 5 need parenting, not schooling. 3. Many social pathologies are linked to parents spending little time with their children. 4. DC already has the lowest compulsory attendance age in the country and one of the worst academic records. 5. The question is not whether some parents might wish to send their 2 and 3 year olds to school; the question is whether ALL parents should be forced to send ALL children age 3 and up to school. 6. Many studies show that there is no benefit or that children are actually harmed when they are forced into school before they are ready. (Mandatory Kindergarten Is Unnecessary [http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000000/00000028.asp]). Parents know best when a child is ready. Thank you for letting your voice be heard in defense of the right of parents to decide whether or not their 3 year old should be subject to compulsory education. Sincerely, Scott A. 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