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From the HSLDA E-lert Service...
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July 5, 2007
Georgia--Legislative Wrap-Up
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:
The Georgia General Assembly adjourned for the year on April 24, 2007.
HSLDA tracked numerous bills during the 2007 session specifically
affecting the rights of parents who educate their children at home.
None of them became law.
Two bills were introduced that affected the rights of homeschoolers
seeking admission to college. House Bill 152 would have permitted
homeschool graduates to receive a HOPE scholarship at the beginning of
their freshman year in college if they scored at the 90th percentile
or higher on the ACT or SAT. Currently, homeschool students are only
eligible for a HOPE scholarship for the freshman year after earning 30
semester or 45 quarter hours with a 3.0 GPA. While this bill would not
have eliminated the discrimination against homeschool graduates, it
would at least have provided a means for them to receive the
scholarship at the beginning of their freshman year.
Senate Bill 35 was intended to require Georgia colleges to treat a
student who has completed a home study program the same as other
students regarding admission if (1) the student's scores on admissions
tests were commensurate with those of entering freshmen and (2) the
student's scores on the colleges entrance or placement examinations
would allow the student to be placed in freshman-level, non-remedial
classes. This second condition would actually have placed homeschool
students in a lesser position than graduates of other schools.
Presumably, homeschool graduates who scored so low as to be placed in
a remedial class would be denied admission altogether, whereas public
school graduates with low scores would be admitted to the college and
placed in the remedial class. Additionally, it was unclear what a
student would have to do to complete a home study program. This bill
could have been supported if the second condition and the language
regarding completion of a home study program had been deleted.
Another bill tracked by HSLDA was House bill 665. This was a driver's
license bill which would have required that the declaration of intent
to conduct a home study program state the child's date of birth
instead of the child's age as is now required. This additional
information raises privacy concerns. Having a child's name and birth
date would enable the state to obtain information about the child
unrelated to homeschooling. There was no reason for all homeschoolers
to be required to provide this information
House Bill 431 and Senate Bill 257 were bills designed to increase
government control by expanding the compulsory attendance ages. House
Bill 431 would have lowered the beginning age from 6 to 5 and mandated
kindergarten. Senate Bill 257 would have increased the compulsory
attendance age from 16 to 17.
House Bill 359 and Senate Bill 85 were bills authorizing homeschool
and private school students to participate in extracurricular
activities at public school.
We are grateful for your vigilance and involvement to support parental
rights in Georgia and keep your ability to homeschool your children
free from unreasonable governmental interference.
For more information regarding legislation affecting your right to
homeschool in Georgia, please visit our web site at
http://www.hslda.org/GA
Sincerely,
Dewitt T. Black, III
Senior Counsel
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-> Extreme makeovers are for extreme circumstances...
Most homeschools don't need an extreme makeover, but there is
something to be said for attention to detail and recognition of
accomplishments. Watch the media and you'll soon see that not
everyone wants home educators and homeschooling to look good.
HSLDA works hard to shed light on the good work of home educators
so it's obvious that we don't need someone "making-over" our
homeschools. Join HSLDA and help us show the world that we're fine
as we are . . . thank you!
More reasons to join HSLDA...
http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1943
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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
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