| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 6/16/2003 4:56:15 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Hawaii--Online Charter Schools: A Trojan Horse |
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- June 13, 2002 Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, Recently, homeschooling families throughout Hawaii have learned about and inquired concerning a new online charter school program for homeschoolers. The Myron Thompson Academy (MTA) is an online public charter school that operates in the Waterfront Towers in downtown Honolulu. This school is supported by the Hawaii State Department of Education. Many "freebies" are offered to families who choose to enroll their children in MTA: $800 worth of curriculum, use of computer if needed, access to certified teachers, and more. All the services and materials are secular in nature. On its face, this looks like a good deal. However, Home School Legal Defense Association members and all homeschooling families across the state should be aware of the ramifications of this seemingly harmless program. We want our member families to make an informed decision regarding participation in MTA. REASONS NOT TO ENROLL IN MTA HSLDA recommends against enrolling your children in MTA for the following reasons: 1) If you enroll in this program, you will no longer be considered a private homeschooler, and you will not be eligible for membership in Home School Legal Defense Association. Our goal at HSLDA is to work to protect the right of parents to privately homeschool, free from government controls and restrictions. MTA is a tax funded, government program with significant government limitations. 2) MTA is a public school. If you enroll your children in MTA to receive free curriculum and a computer, your children will be considered public school students. This means you waive certain parental rights and agree to homeschool according to the public school's rules. In other states with similar "virtual" or online public school programs, HSLDA has observed that more and more regulations are gradually placed on the homeschooler each year. If the family does not comply, the "virtual" school will demand the return of the computer, curriculum, etc. For those homeschoolers who become dependent on the free government equipment and funds, their freedom is gradually exchanged for these "freebies." 3) By enrolling in MTA, you will be waiving certain parental rights. The government does not offer "free" services without obligation. For example, MTA will: > have certified teachers supervise you; > require all MTA students to participate in required state standardized assessments; and > require you to use the $800 dollars they give you to purchase an "approved" secular curriculum (purchases must be done through MTA). MTA enrollees are not allowed to purchase religious curriculum with MTA funds. According to their web site, "Federal and state laws prohibit the purchase of faith based curriculum; however if parents choose to use privately purchased faith based curriculum to educate their children they can do so and still take advantage of the tremendous support offered through this program." > students can continue through high school in the homeschool setting, but cannot get a high school diploma. To receive a diploma they must switch to MTA's "online high school program." This high school program has established courses that a student must take, so parents would have no control over the content of the course. > families must turn in Individualized Learning Plan, Progress Reports twice a year, and work samples four times a year. MTA is an attempt by the government to create small public schools in our homes. Before you make a decision about enrolling in this program, please read our articles discussing publicly funded online charter schools. "Charter Schools: The Price is Too High" by Christopher J. Klicka http://www.hslda.org/courtreport/V18N1/V18N101.asp "Charter Schools: Look Before You Leap!" by Roy Hanson http://www.hslda.org/courtreport/V18N1/V18N102.asp Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this important matter. Sincerely yours, Christopher J. Klicka HSLDA Senior Counsel {{JoinAd}} ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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