| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 5/6/2005 9:36:40 AM Home School Legal Defense Association Rhode Island--Calls Needed - Bill Threatens Freedom to Teach Civics |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== May 5, 2005 Rhode Island--Calls Needed - Bill Threatens Freedom to Teach Civics Dear HSLDA members and friends: A bill that would empower the government to specify every detail of a homeschool family's civics curriculum may be voted on in the senate any day. Senate Bill 864, sponsored by Senators Gallo, Fogarty, Levesque, Walaska and Felag, gives the board of regents for elementary and secondary education power to set detailed standards for the civics curriculum. It prohibits a school committee from approving a homeschool program unless it complies. This would destroy a family's freedom to choose the curriculum that is best for their child. It could force families to teach ideologies contrary to the family's own convictions. ACTION REQUESTED Please call your senator immediately. Your message can be as simple as: "Please oppose Senate Bill 864. It destroys a homeschool family's freedom to teach civics according to their own convictions. It prevents families from using the civics books they know are best for their children." To find the name and contact information of your senator use our legislative toolbox: http://www.hslda.org/toolbox/ BACKGROUND Under current law, homeschool families must teach a civics program "substantially equivalent" to that provided in the public schools. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education currently has authority to prescribe the general outlines of the civics course, but not detailed standards. Senate Bill 864 would give the government the power to specify detailed standards. Homeschool families generally have no problem following broad outlines of the typical civics course taught in public schools. However, being forced to comply with detailed standards will have the effect of replacing parental judgment with governmental judgment. Many popular curriculums would not satisfy the kind of detailed standards we can envision the government creating. Civics is about liberty. And liberty must start with the freedom to teach civics as each parent believes is best for the child. Thank you for standing with us for freedom. Sincerely, Scott A. Woodruff, Esq. HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How long are you in for? Some families are facing what seems like a lifelong commitment to homeschooling, with children at both ends of the spectrum-some graduating and some just reaching school age. If you're going to be "in" for a while, consider a lifetime membership with HSLDA. It's a good deal for families with more than 10 years of homeschooling ahead. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
