| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 7/24/2006 10:18:47 AM Home School Legal Defense Association Washington--Caution About Public Schools in Your Home |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== July 24, 2006 Washington--Caution About Public Schools in Your Home Dear HSLDA members and friends: Over the past month or two you may have received information in the mail about a new "Virtual School" starting up in your area. Many parents have contacted us after receiving these glossy packets and reading the information on the "free" computer, software, curriculum, etc. that they would receive if they signed up for these programs. Some of the larger virtual schools include the Digital Learning Commons, InSight Virtual Academy, Washington Connection Academy, and Washington Virtual Academy. All of these programs are public virtual schools that receive state and federal funds when your child enrolls in any of them. While the programs many of these schools offer sound extremely tempting, especially when they are "free", the "costs" of these programs are generally not explained. The most dangerous cost is found in the loss of freedom a family will experience as compared to a private homeschool program. HSLDA recommends against enrolling your children in this program for the following reasons: 1. If you enroll full-time in any these programs, you will no longer be considered a private homeschooler, and you will not be eligible for membership in the Home School Legal Defense Association. Our goal at HSLDA is to protect the right of parents to privately homeschool free from government controls and restrictions. Online charter schools are tax-funded, government programs with legitimate government controls and limitations. 2. Schools like the Digital Learning Commons, InSight Virtual Academy, Washington Connection Academy, and Washington Virtual Academy are public schools. If you enroll your children in the these programs to receive your free curriculum and a laptop, your children will no longer be considered private homeschool students, but rather public school students. This means you waive certain parental rights and agree to homeschool according to the public school's rules. In other states with similar "virtual" charter school programs, HSLDA has observed that more and more regulations are gradually placed on the enrolled homeschooling family each year. If the family does not comply with the regulations, the "virtual" school will demand return of the computer, curriculum, etc. Some families who have dis-enrolled have even been turned into the local child welfare agency. Homeschoolers who become dependent on the "free" government equipment and funds find that their freedom is gradually exchanged for these "freebies." 3. HSLDA is opposed to programs like the Digital Learning Commons, InSight Virtual Academy, Washington Connection Academy, and Washington Virtual Academy (and similar "virtual charter schools" appearing around the country) because when parents who enroll in such programs waive the rights that many people in the state, in this case including Washington Association of Teaching Homes (WATCH), Christian Homeschool Network of Washington (CHN), and Home School Legal Defense Association, have fought hard to preserve. The government does not offer "free goodies" without obligation. 4. Additionally, the Washington state constitution in Article 1, sec. 11 states "...No public money or property shall be appropriated for or applied to any religious worship, exercise, or instruction, or the support of any religious establishment...." Article 9, sec. 4 states "All schools maintained or supported wholly or in part by the public funds shall be forever free from sectarian control or influence." Thus, parents who enroll their children in these virtual schools would be prohibited from using religious materials or providing religious instruction during normal school-time hours they must account for. While parents could certainly use their own time and money to provide religious instruction, enrolling your child in these public programs will muzzle you from talking about God over much of your day. The bottom line is that these programs are not the free, private homeschooling that has been so successful for many years. It is simply an attempt by the government to create small public schools in our homes. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON CHARTER SCHOOLS For more information on similar programs, please read the articles on charter schools that have recently appeared in HSLDA's "Home School Court Report" and on our website. One of these articles is "Charter Schools: The Price is Too High" by Christopher J. Klicka, which can be viewed at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=3184 . Thank you for your stand for homeschool freedom in Washington. Without your vigilance, apathy will set in and our freedoms may be lost. If you are not yet a member of HSLDA and would like to help us fight for greater parental rights and homeschool freedom in Washington please visit http://www.hslda.org/join/apply.asp . Sincerely, Thomas Schmidt HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many acorns can a chipmunk hold in its cheeks? We don't know! But we do know that gathering little by little enables ordinary folks to prepare for hard times. That principle is behind HSLDA's payment plan: by paying a month at a time, families can receive an annual HSLDA membership. Meanwhile, they can feel secure as they homeschool and focus on other priorities -- their children. Don't go nuts trying to pay for membership all at once. Choose one of our convenient payment plans. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
