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| Date: From: Subject: | 6/8/2007 2:41:35 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Louisiana--Hearing Scheduled on TOPS Bill! |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== June 8, 2007 Louisiana--Hearing Scheduled on TOPS Bill! Dear HSLDA members and friends: A bill has been introduced to reduce the discriminatory policy imposed on homeschoolers who hope to become eligible for TOPS awards. House Bill 634 has been scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, June 12. Please call and e-mail the House Appropriations Committee members and urge them to support this bill. House Bill 634 would reduce the current requirement that homeschool students score 2 points higher than public school graduates on the ACT college entrance exam in order to be eligible for the Louisiana Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). A student who has completed an approved home study program and was enrolled in the program no later than the end of the 10th grade is eligible for TOPS financial aid if he or she score 2 points higher than the score required for public school students. House Bill 634 would make it possible for homeschool students to be eligible for TOPS aid if they score at least 1 point higher than the total required for public school students. While we would like to completely remove this discriminatory policy, this bill moves the TOPS eligibility requirements in the right direction. House Bill 634 is scheduled to be heard Tuesday, June 12, In the House Education Committee. We need your support to urge them to pass this bill out of committee! ACTION REQUESTED: Please contact the members of the House Education Committee listed below with this message: "Please vote in favor of House Bill 634. Currently homeschool students must score 2 points higher than public school students on the ACT in order to be eligible for TOPS. This is discriminatory and must eventually be stopped." Due to the large number of members of the Education Committee we ask you to call representatives in the following order. If your last name begins with letters A-I please call representative numbed 1-6 first. If your last name begins with letters J-Q please call representative numbed 7-11first. If your last name begins with letters R-Z please call representative numbed 12-16 first. If your last name begins with letters A-I please call representative numbered 1-6 first. 1. Chairman Carl N. Crane (225)766-7274 ccrane@legis.state.la.us 2. Vice Chair Avon R. Honey (225)771-5674 ahoney@legis.state.la.us 3. Representative Ernie Alexander (337)262-1214 larep043@legis.state.la.us 4. Representative Austin Badon (504)896-1491 larep100@legis.state.la.us 5. Representative Regina Barrow (225)359-9331 larep029@legis.state.la.us 6. Representative Billy Chandler (318)899-1193 larep022@legis.state.la.us If your last name begins with letters J-Q please call representative numbered 7-11 first. 7. Representative A. G. Crowe (985)643-3600 larep076@legis.state.la.us 8. Representative Hollis Downs (318)251-5039 hdowns@legis.state.la.us 9. Representative James Fannin (318)259-6620 larep013@legis.state.la.us 10. Representative Elbert Guillory (337)943-2457 larep040@legis.state.la.us 11. Representative Lelon Kenney (318)649-9100 larep020@legis.state.la.us If your last name begins with letters R-Z please call representative numbered 12-16 first. 12. Representative Henry Powell (985)386-2910 larep073@legis.state.la.us 13. Representative Mike Powell (318)869-0008 larep006@legis.state.la.us 14. Representative Harold Ritchie (985)730-2147 larep075@legis.state.la.us 15. Representative Donald Trahan (337)984-0175 larep031@legis.state.la.us 16. Representative Monica Walker (318)253-8891 larep028@legis.state.la.us BACKGROUND: The Louisiana state financial aid program, TOPS, is been open to homeschool students who have been enrolled in approved home study program since the end of their 10th grade year. However, in order for a homeschool graduate to receive any TOPS aid he or she must score at least 2 points higher on the ACT than the minimum score required for public school students. Currently the minimum ACT scores a public school student is required to receive to be eligible for TOPS are: (1) For a TOPS-Tech award-, 17 (2) For an Opportunity Award- 20, (3) For a Performance Award- 23, (4) For an Honors Award- 27. While HSLDA is neutral on bills that would provide government benefits to homeschoolers we oppose discrimination against homeschoolers. Since Louisiana already provides TOPS funding to students in homeschools HSLDA maintains that the two point difference between public school and homeschool students is discriminatory. We cannot stand by while Louisiana discriminates in such a blatant manner. All Louisiana homeschoolers need to stand together for freedom, whether they choose the private school or approved home study option. In our opinion, reducing or eliminating the two point penalty for approved home study programs would not create a significant risk of increased regulation for families who choose the private school option. Sincerely, Thomas J. Schmidt, Esq. HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> What do you look like when you get out of bed? It's hard to look our best all the time. HSLDA works to present homeschooling in an engaging, dynamic, and informative light to the public news media. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
