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| Date: From: Subject: | 3/16/2004 1:09:22 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Nevada--Homeschoolers Win Victory |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== March 16, 2004 Nevada--Homeschoolers Win Victory Dear HSLDA members and friends: Lyon County recently decided to revamp its policy regarding homeschooler participation in extracurricular activity. Unfortunately, the proposed policy did not follow the plain meaning of existing homeschool equal access law, but essentially barred homeschoolers from participating in many activities they are eligible for under existing law. The law clearly states that homeschoolers shall be allowed to participate in classes and extracurricular activities in the local public school, with only a few exceptions. The Nevada Equal Access law, NRS 392.070, requires that the board of trustees of each school district shall provide programs of special education and related services for homeschooled children. The programs of special education and related services required by this section must be made available. This means homeschoolers can participate in essentially all classes and extracurricular activities offered by Lyon. The only exceptions are where the child does not meet the qualifications or there is no physical room for the homeschooled child. The Lyon policy essentially reversed existing law by not allowing homeschool participation in most cases, with only a few exceptions. In private and public meetings the Nevada Homeschool Network offered to be part of the drafting of this new policy, but was rebuffed. Numerous times they asked to review the policy before it was finalized. The Nevada Homeschool Network was finally able to schedule a meeting with the Lyons County School Board to discuss the proposed policy. HSLDA Senior Counsel Chris Klicka sent a letter to the school board on behalf of Nevada homeschoolers. In the letter he explained that the Nevada equal access law is simple and straightforward, and that the proposed policy does not conform to existing law. Klicka encouraged the Lyon School Board to work with the Nevada Homeschool Network to create a policy for homeschoolers according to the law. Several homeschoolers spoke at the meeting and Frank Shnorbus, of the Nevada Homeschool Network, read Chris Klicka's letter. A rough draft of a policy acceptable to homeschoolers was proposed as an alternative. As a result, the Lyons School Board finally agreed to scrap their bad policy. A committee consisting of public school administrators, public school parents, and homeschool parents, with assistance from members of the Nevada Homeschool Advisory Council, is to be formed to write a policy which could then be presented to the Lyon School Board. We expect that the new policy will be much more acceptable to homeschoolers and are grateful for the homeschoolers who got involved in this situation to prevent unlawful discrimination against homeschoolers. We hope it will be used as a model around the state. Sincerely, Chris Klicka Senior Counsel Home School Legal Defense Association {{JoinAd}} ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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