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| Date: From: Subject: | 4/29/2004 5:51:43 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Louisiana--Working for Freedom in Louisiana |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== April 29, 2004 Louisiana--Working for Freedom in Louisiana Dear HSLDA members and friends: Louisiana homeschoolers have expressed increasing concern over a number of actions by the State Department of Education. In a recent meeting with Cecil Picard, Louisiana's Superintendent of Education, homeschool leaders managed to express those concerns and seek constructive changes. Beryl Amedee, of Christian Home Educators Fellowship (CHEF), has been working closely with HSLDA to resolve matters. Representative Gary Beard called a "summit meeting" to resolve home education issues at the Capitol. On Monday, April 19, thirteen individuals met, including Representative Beard and four other representatives, two officials from the Department of Education, a member of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, various home educators, and other pro-family activists. The status of home- based private schools was a major topic of concern. The Department of Education has referred to private schools in the home as "non- approved home study programs." The homeschoolers explained that the Department's name change for these private schools had created significant problems. In addition, the meeting discussed the eligibility of homeschoolers for Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) funding, and the Department of Education's embargo of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). The Department of Education argued that Riverside Publishing, which produces the ITBS, had refused to provide tests to Louisiana, but Riverside Publishing had told homeschoolers that it was the Department of Education policy that had caused the problem. On Thursday, April 22, homeschoolers had a follow up meeting with Superintendent Cecil Picard in his office. Beryl Amedee and Kathryn Goppelt have summarized that meeting in a letter to the superintendent ( http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?ID=1498 [requires Adobe Acrobat]) They report that the Department of Education website will no longer refer to "non-approved home study programs," and the "Non-Approved Home Study Registration Form" will no longer be utilized. In addition, the Department of Education will request that Riverside Publishing make at least one form of the ITBS available to private and homeschool students in Louisiana this fall ( http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?ID=1499 ). In another development, legislation to equalize ACT scores for homeschoolers so that they are no longer discriminated against has been introduced by Representatives Beard and Scalise. We are encouraging our member families to contact their elected representatives to support H.B. 1503 By working hard and working together, Louisiana's homeschool leaders have gained the attention of the education establishment. We will keep Louisiana homeschoolers informed as these efforts continue. Please be ready to contact your legislators in order to finish what these homeschool heroes have begun! 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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