| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 8/5/2008 2:41:08 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Virginia--Newport News Drops Birth Date Demand |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Virginia--Newport News Drops Birth Date Demand Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: Many families recently contacted HSLDA about a letter they received from Newport News Public Schools telling them that they must give the birth dates of their children before they will "consider" a family's "request" to provide home instruction. Since birth dates are required to be on file for public school students, it is easy for a school official to assume mistakenly that they are required for homeschool students, as well. Periodically over the years one Virginia school district or another has tried to mandate the filing of birth dates. The potential for confusion is compounded by the fact that the Virginia Department of Education's "model" notice of intent calls for birth dates. State law, however, does not require that a homeschooled child's birth date be included on their notice of intent. Furthermore, Virginia families do not need to "request" home instruction. They simply file a notice. The school system's suggestion that they will not "consider" a family's "request" to homeschool without the birth date is simply bogus. Home School Legal Defense Association attorney Scott Woodruff called Newport News Public Schools and spoke with the staff member who had sent the letter demanding birth dates. He explained that state law does not require that families disclose this information. She acknowledged that was correct, and confirmed that the school system would halt its practice of rejecting notices of intent without birth dates. We expect that Newport News will continue to request birth dates on their own form. We recommend that families who are not under the religious exemption use HSLDA's notice of intent form (available on the members-only section of our website at http://members.hslda.org/state/VA/default.asp) to make sure that you are only submitting information that is required under law, or submit a letter that contains all the information in HSLDA's form. Very truly yours, Scott A. Woodruff, Esq. HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> 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. 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