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| Date: From: Subject: | 4/4/2005 4:46:11 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Pennsylvania--Calls Needed to Oppose Lowering the Compulsory Attendance Age |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== April 4, 2005 Pennsylvania--Calls Needed to Oppose Lowering the Compulsory Attendance Age from Eight to Six Dear HSLDA members and friends: We are sad to report that last week the House Education Committee passed House Bill 377 which would lower the compulsory school attendance age in Pennsylvania from eight to six for school districts of the first class. Part of the Committee action was to amend the bill to exempt from compulsory attendance children under 17 who have completed the graduation requirements of a home education program. While this amendment was favorable to homeschoolers, the primary purpose of the bill remains unacceptable. Your calls are needed to stop this bill which now moves to the full House of Representatives for a vote. Since Philadelphia is the only school district of the first class in Pennsylvania at this time, it is the only school district that would be affected by this legislation. However, we are concerned that the next step the General Assembly will take is expanding this compulsory attendance requirement to all school districts in Pennsylvania. This has been the pattern that similar legislation has followed in other states. There is a qualified exemption in the bill for homeschooling parents whose children are between age six and eight, in that they would not have to comply with the home education statute until their children reach the current compulsory attendance age of eight. However, these parents would still have to notify the local school district that they intend to provide their child's education between ages six and eight. How the state would determine that a parent is providing this education is yet to be determined. HSLDA opposes any legislation lowering the compulsory attendance age because it further erodes parental rights in making decisions which affect the educational preparedness of their children. ACTION REQUESTED 1. Please contact your state representative with this message: "Please vote against House Bill 377. This bill restricts a parent's right to choose when a child is ready for formal education. This bill will also waste taxpayer dollars, since there is nothing to indicate that early schooling results in any educational advantage for the child." You can find the name and telephone number of your state representative by using HSLDA's Legislative Toolbox at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?ID=2246 2. Please forward this e-mail to every family you know who is not a member of HSLDA and urge them to contact their state representative with this same message. BACKGROUND Many education experts have concluded that beginning a child's formal education too early may actually result in burnout and poor scholastic performance later. Lowering the compulsory attendance age erodes the authority of parents who are in the best position to determine when their child's formal education should begin. The bill would restrict parents' freedom to decide if their children are ready for school. 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 school. For more information on compulsory attendance, please see our memorandum at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?ID=2051. Sincerely, Dewitt T. Black, III HSLDA Senior Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Will your children's inheritance retain its value? If you pass on a legacy of freedom, your children and their children's children will thank you. But freedom is never secure; it must always be guarded. Membership with HSLDA is an investment in the future that can be passed on to future generations of families wanting to teach their children at home. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1944 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
