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6/30/2008 4:42:30 PM Home School Legal Defense Association District of Columbia--WRITTEN COMMENTS NEEDED

====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== June 30, 2008 District of Columbia--WRITTEN COMMENTS NEEDED to Modify Burdensome Homeschool Regulations Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: In response to written comments from District homeschoolers, as well as nearly 3,000 emails and phone calls from HSLDA members throughout the country, the OSSE has somewhat modified its proposed homeschool regulations. While the proposed modifications do clarify some provisions, they do not properly balance parents' right to home educate and the District's interest in knowing that children are being educated. Because of the new modifications, the OSSE has set up an additional 14-day comment period for feedback on the regulations. The D.C. State Board of Education has also scheduled the regulations for a public hearing and likely vote at the July 16 meeting--please plan to attend. The OSSE has reported that D.C. residents submitted only 16 written comments about the May 2 draft. This is simply too few in light of the number of District homeschoolers. I am asking every homeschooler past, present and future to take a few moments to write to the State Superintendent and Board of Education and tell them that a workable homeschool regulation in the District requires additional changes to the current draft. Specifically, you can tell them that AT A MINIMUM, a workable homeschool regulation must: > Include a statement recognizing the right of parents to determine the best form of education for their children (this is important because it will determine how the regulation is interpreted and applied); > Allow parents to use their own letter or form, not one created by District bureaucrats; > Allow District bureaucrats to review a portfolio only when they have reason to believe that a program violating the regulation; > Remove the requirement that a teaching parent must have a high school diploma; > Include clarification that the review by the Superior Court of the District is "De Novo" (meaning a brand new review including a review of the facts) and not merely a review of the discretion of the OSSE. Please submit written comments to the OSSE and the State Board of Education. The 14-day comment period ends July 14, 2008. You can go to http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5261 to find resources to help you. HSLDA's written comments will be posted by the end of today at this website. Please forward this to anyone you know who would be interested. ACTION REQUESTED Submit written comments to the OSSE and the SBOE. Comments to the OSSE at this point should be emailed to Stephanie Thomas at stephanie.thomas@dc.gov. It is also a good idea to send a copy to your Board Member. See http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5261 for a list of the board members and their contact information. Plan to attend the public hearing on July 16. To see the proposed rules and access more information about DC homeschooling, visit our webpage at www.hslda.org/DC . Thank you for your perseverance and work to preserve homeschooling freedom in the District! Sincerely, Michael P. Donnelly, Esq. HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many of your friends would pay your legal fees? As a member of HSLDA, you have 80,000 families standing with you to protect and advance homeschool freedoms in the United States and foreign countries. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1106 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== 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. ======================================================================