Date: From: Subject:

3/4/2008 3:52:23 PM Home School Legal Defense Association District of Columbia--Tips on Testifying

====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== March 4, 2008 District of Columbia--Tips on Testifying Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: We appreciate all of you who are coming forward to testify on this proposed regulation. If you are going to testify, please notify my office at legaldc@hslda.org or call Dr. Beverly Wheeler, Executive Director of the State Board at (202) 741-0884 or email her at Beverly.Wheeler@dc.gov . The public hearing being held tomorrow night is the beginning of the public comment period for this proposed regulation. There is a 30-day period during which the public may submit written comments. Following this period, there is another hearing and comment period before the proposed rules will be voted on. The Office of the State Superintendant of Education has already revised the regulations, removing Section 5209 that would have required that parents file an "annual assessment." You can review the new proposed draft regulations at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=4827 . ACTION REQUESTED Attend the State Board of Education meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, March 5, at 5:30 p.m. The hearing will be held at One Judiciary Square- First Floor Chambers, 441 Fourth St. NW, Washington DC 20001. The hearing will be aired live on the District Schools TV Channel 99. To see the proposed rules and access more information about DC homeschooling, visit our webpage at www.hslda.org/DC BACKGROUND Here is some background to help you understand the organizational and political context of the new D.C. schools hierarchy. In June 2007, the D.C. Council (the District's legislative body) gave "governor-like" power to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty over education in the District. In that law, the Council separated the D.C. Public Schools from other schools and created the Office of the State Superintendent (OSSE). In that legislation, the Council also assigned the State Board of Education approval authority over a number of items, including approving home education regulations. For more specific information on the specific functions of the Board, you can go to D.C. Code sec.38-2652. There are nine members of the State Board of Education authorized; seven seats are currently filled. Five of these members are elected and four are appointed (two of the appointed seats are vacant). In November of 2008, all nine seats will be up for election. The State Board of Education has approval and oversight responsibility over the OSSE; this is the first opportunity the Board has had to review these proposed regulations. The Board has stated that it is eager to hear public input and that it will listen to public input. While it is true that the Board will likely grant a fair amount of deference to the OSSE in interpreting its authority, it is important to remember that the Board's positions are elected, and members are therefore accountable to the voters. When testifying before the board, each person will have about three minutes to speak. The Board may ask questions. When we address the Board, it is in our interest that we remain respectful and communicate our points positively. We should appreciate these board members for their willingness to serve regardless of whether we agree with their politics or position on this particular regulation. With these points in mind, I have prepared a document to assist you in understanding the proposed regulations and in preparing your testimony. This document is available on our website at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=4828 We need your help! If you are not yet a member of HSLDA and would like to help us fight for greater homeschool freedom in the District of Columbia, please visit http://www.hslda.org/join/apply.asp . Join or renew for two years and you get the Drive Thru History--America DVD and curriculum free, a $50 value. If you would like to be put on our e-mail list to receive vital e-lerts, you may sign up at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=4829 . Thank you for your part in fighting for freedom in the District of Columbia! Sincerely, Michael P. Donnelly, Esq. HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Have you ever yelled into the wind, only to hear the sound of your voice blown back at you? It's hard to be heard in the midst of a storm. Trying to influence federal legislation is much like yelling to be heard while standing in a fierce wind. Yet when 80,000 voices join together, they become a powerful force that cannot be drowned out. Join HSLDA to be heard above the tempests that threaten homeschool freedoms. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1939 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ======================================================================