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| Date: From: Subject: | 1/15/2004 5:19:43 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Nebraska--New Bill Aims to Restrict Homeschool Freedoms |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== January 15, 2004 Dear HSLDA members and friends: A bill has been introduced in the Nebraska legislature that would significantly reduce a parent's right to control the education of their children by raising the compulsory attendance age by two years. Currently, Nebraska residents are required to provide their children with education from age 7 to age 16, but Legislative Bill 868 would raise this requirement to age 18. This bill has been referred to the Education Committee. A public hearing has been scheduled for January 20, 2004, at 1:30 p.m. in the Capitol Room 1525. This committee hearing can be an excellent way to voice your opposition to those who would limit homeschool freedoms! Action Requested: 1. Call the members of the legislature's Committee on Education and voice your opposition to LB 868. Tell them, "Please vote no on LB 868. It will increase taxes without improving education." The members of the Education Committee are as follows: Senator Ron Raikes, Chairperson (402) 471-2731 Senator Chip Maxwell, Vice Chairperson (402) 471-2723 Senator Patrick Bourne (402) 471-2722 Senator Kermit Brashear (402) 471-2621 Senator Dennis Byers (402) 471-2620 Senator Vickie McDonald (402) 471-2631 Senator Ed Schrock (402) 471-2732 Senator Elaine Stuhr (402) 471-2756 2. If possible, make plans to attend the hearing on LB 868 on January 20 at the Capitol in Lincoln. For more information, call Senator Raikes' office at (402) 471-2731. Background: - Raising the compulsory attendance age will not reduce the dropout rate. In fact, the two states with the best high school completion rates, Maryland at 94.5% and North Dakota at 94.7%, compel attendance only to age 16. The state with the lowest completion rate (Oregon: 75.4%) compels attendance to age 18. (Figures are three year averages, 1996 through 1998.) - It would restrict parents' freedom to decide if their 16 year old is ready for college or the workforce. Some 16 year olds, who are not academically inclined, benefit greatly from valuable work experience rather than being forced to sit in a classroom. In addition, many gifted homeschool students are more than ready for college at age 16. - Another significant impact of expanding the compulsory attendance age would be an inevitable tax increase to pay for more classroom space and teachers to accommodate the additional students compelled to attend public schools. When California raised the age of compulsory attendance, unwilling students were so disruptive that new schools had to be built just to handle them and their behavior problems, all at the expense of the taxpayer. For the text of LB 868, go to http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/pdf/INTRO_LB868.pdf. Thank you for standing with us to support freedom! Sincerely, Scott Somerville HSLDA Staff Attorney {{JoinAd}} ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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