| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
< BACK TO ARCHIVE |
| Date: From: Subject: | 9/11/2006 11:53:15 AM Home School Legal Defense Association Illinois: Officials Visit Homeschool Families Demanding to See Curriculum |
|
====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Illinois: Officials Visit Homeschool Families Demanding to See Curriculum Dear HSLDA members and friends: A few weeks ago an Illinois member received a visit from school officials in the Franklin/Williamson District. They stated that they were visiting all the homeschoolers in the area, requesting that each homeschool family fill out a form to register their homeschool with the state. Our member knew better then to fill out the form and sent the officials away. Apparently, however, the school officials were not satisfied with our member's response to their first visit. They came back after having consulted with the school's attorney on the matter, but this time with a truant officer. The truant officer stated that after consulting with the school's attorney, she learned that although they cannot require the registration forms to be filled out, they could demand to see the family's homeschool curriculum. Our member family, not to be pushed around, again told the truant officer this was not required, and would not let the truant officer see her curriculum. The truant officer and school district official eventually left. The family contacted Home School Legal Defense Association. We immediately drafted a letter and sent it to the truant officer. The letter explained that they had no right to demand to see the curriculum and that the family was following the Illinois homeschool law. If you live in Illinois and receive a visit from school officials demanding to see your curriculum or asking you to fill out a form, do not let these people in your home; do not let them see your curriculum; and do not fill out the form. The district does not have a legal right to require this. If you are unsure of how to handle the situation, please contact HSLDA immediately, even while the officials are at your doorstep. In a related development, Williamson County State's Attorney Charles Garnati last Tuesday held a press conference, reminding parents of the strict truancy laws governing Williamson County. According to the Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, Il.) on September 6, 2006, on page 2B, Garnati said homeschooling parents aren't exempt from truancy policies governing Williamson County students. "The law does give ROE authority to go in and check out the curriculum to make sure it's been done in a correct way," Garnati said. Parents convicted of allowing their child to remain truant could face up to a $1,500 fine and up to 30 days in the county jail, Garnati said. Sincerely, Christopher J. Klicka, Esq. HSLDA Senior Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> 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. Box 3000 Purcellville, Virginia 20134 Phone: (540) 338-5600 Fax: (540) 338-2733 Email: info@hslda.org Web: http://www.hslda.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- How To Subscribe: - Subscribe to the HSLDA E-lert Service at our website: https://secure.hslda.org/hslda/elert/account.asp?Process=Subscribe - Or send an email with name and complete mailing address to: subscribe@hslda.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscription Information: - You subscribed to the HSLDA E-lert Service as: ##ToAddress## - To unsubscribe from the HSLDA E-lert Service send an email from the email address you want to unsubscribe to: unsubscribe@hslda.org - To change your email address or make other changes to your subscription, visit the HSLDA E-lert Service account web page at: https://secure.hslda.org/hslda/elert/account.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------- POSTMASTERS: This message is being sent to the most recent address we have for our subscribers. 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. ====================================================================== | |
