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| Date: From: Subject: | 3/13/2006 4:59:27 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Rhode Island--Calls Needed to Prevent Expanding Attendance Age |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== March 13, 2006 Rhode Island--Calls Needed to Prevent Expanding Attendance Age Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, Calls are needed immediately to stop Rhode Island House Bill 7384 which would lower the age of compulsory attendance from age 6 to 5, and would require every child to attend a recognized or accredited kindergarten program prior to first grade. If this bill became law, families would be subject to the requirements of the homeschool statute one year earlier. The Rhode Island House Health, Education and Welfare Committee will hold a hearing on this bill on Wednesday, March 15, in House Room 135. ACTION REQUESTED: Please call your state representative immediately if he or she is on the Health, Education and Welfare Committee, and ask him or her to oppose H.B. 7384. You can express your opposition in your own words. Be concise and courteous. Here is an example: "Please vote against House Bill 7384, which would lower the age at which children must start school from 6 to 5. This bill will raise taxes, will force students to start school too early, and will take away parental freedom to determine when their children should start school." This bill affects all students, so there is no need to identify yourself as a homeschooler. You can use our legislative toolbox at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=2906 to find your representative. The following representatives are on the Rhode Island House Health, Education and Welfare Committee: Chairperson Joseph M. McNamara, (401) 941-8319 rep-mcnamara@rilin.state.ri.us Vice Chairperson Peter T. Ginaitt, (401) 732-2695 rep-ginaitt@rilin.state.ri.us Secretary Arthur Handy (401) 785-8996) rep-handy@rilin.state.ri.us Grace Diaz, (401) 467-8413 rep-diaz@rilin.state.ri.us Charlene Lima, (401) 222-6595 rep-lima@rilin.state.ri.us John J. Loughlin Jr. (401) 732-2695 rep-loughlin@rilin.state.ri.us Rene R. Menard, (401) 765-1499 rep-menard@rilin.state.ri.us Paul E. Moura, (401) 222-6690 rep-moura@rilin.state.ri.us Richard W. Singleton, (401) 333-8106 rep-singleton@rilin.state.ri.us Susan Story, (401) 245-5083 rep-story@rilin.state.ri.us Raymond J. Sullivan Jr., (401) 828-9207 rep-sullivan@rilin.state.ri.us Stephen R. Ucci, (401) 275-5559 rep-ucci@rilin.state.ri.us 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 also erodes the authority of parents who are in the best position to determine when their child's formal education should begin. In addition, it is certain that your tax bill will increase to pay for more classroom space and teachers to accommodate the additional students compelled to attend public schools. For more information on compulsory attendance, please see our memorandum "Mandatory Kindergarten Is Unnecessary" at http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000000/00000028.asp . Thank you for standing with us for freedom. Sincerely, Scott Woodruff 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. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1936 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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If this is an invalid email address or you have other problems, please reply to webmaster@hslda.org. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: This is considered a private and confidential message from HSLDA to its bonafide HSLDA E-lert Service subscribers. HSLDA cannot attest to the authenticity of copies posted, forwarded, or sent by any party other than HSLDA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: Please do not reply or otherwise use this email address; hslda@hslda.org is for broadcast purposes only and is not intended to receive incoming messages. We cannot reply to any email sent to this address. If you have comments or questions, please send email to info@hslda.org or call HSLDA at 540-338-5600. HSLDA members can also email staff directly through the Members website at http://members.hslda.org/contact.asp. Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
