| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 1/23/2009 1:49:50 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Florida--Broward County Homeschoolers Subject to Blanket Portfolio Reviews |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== January 23, 2009 Florida--Broward County Homeschoolers Subject to Blanket Portfolio Reviews Dear HSLDA Members: For many years, the Florida homeschool law has allowed school districts to inspect the portfolios of homeschoolers with only 15 days written notice. Unfortunately, too many school districts have misapplied this law by randomly harassing innocent homeschool families. Recently, our members have notified us that Broward County is planning to randomly notify scores of families that they must submit a portfolio of each child's academic work for the school district to "evaluate." We at HSLDA believe that although the school district can request portfolio reviews, you are not obligated to comply for the following reasons: First of all, it was never the intent of the Florida legislature that portfolio reviews be conducted randomly! This is simply an abuse of the law and intent of the legislature. The law is essentially being used as a tool for harassment. Secondly, we believe that portfolio reviews should only be used if there is evidence that a family is not in compliance with the law. It should not be a common practice performed on a random basis. If you are contacted by the school district and you do not want to have your portfolio reviewed, contact our office immediately and we will write a letter to the school district on your behalf. If enough families stand together, we can make a difference and stop this random practice. Furthermore, homeschoolers who have religious reasons for homeschooling could invoke the Florida Religious Freedom Act (Florida Statutes Section 761.01 et seq.) that HSLDA helped pass a few years ago. This act provides religious homeschoolers with a legal means to say "no" to the portfolio review, if the portfolio review is offensive to the homeschoolers' religious beliefs. By invoking the Religious Freedom Act, the homeschooler can force the state to prove that the fulfillment of a portfolio review "furthers a compelling state interest" and is the "least restrictive means" of fulfilling its interest that children be educated. Therefore, HSLDA is willing to help any member families in Florida who object to the random demand for a portfolio review. Please let us know if you find yourself in this situation. We are ready to assist. Sincerely, Christopher J. Klicka HSLDA Senior Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> 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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