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| Date: From: Subject: | 4/26/2010 2:57:52 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Hawaii: Urgent--Please Help Stop Increase in Testing for Homeschoolers |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Hawaii: Urgent--Please Help Stop Increase in Testing for Homeschoolers Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, On May 6, 2010, the Hawaii State Board of Education will vote to change the Hawaii Administrative Rules that affect homeschool families. One of the changes will impact all homeschool families by requiring parents to test their children three more years than are currently required. Because of the change in the language, parents could also see even more testing in the future. HSLDA and Christian Homeschoolers of Hawaii need your help now to let the State Board of Education know that these changes should not be made, and that homeschoolers are already tested enough. Currently, homeschool parents are required to test their children using a standardized achievement test in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10. The State Board of Education has proposed changing the current language in Hawaii Administrative Rule 8-12-18 to require testing in accordance with the statewide assessment system. This would require homeschool parents to test their children in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10. Additional years could be added at any time. The proposed changes being voted on by the Hawaii State Board of Education also includes removing all of Hawaii Administrative Rule 8-12-14. This subsection deals with special education services being provided for homeschooled children. With this change homeschooled student will likely only be able to obtain an evaluation for special education needs but no services. While HSLDA takes a neutral position on services obtained from the local school district, you may want to raise this issue to the State Board of Education as well. ACTION REQUESTED 1. Please contact each member of the State Board of Education and let him or her know that increasing the testing of homeschool children is unnecessary and unwanted. Please remember to be courteous but firm in your opposition to these changes. Give the following message in your own words: "Please vote against the proposed changes to the Hawaii Administrative Rules relating to homeschool programs. Homeschool students are already tested on a regular basis and are required to submit an annual progress report every year. Adding tests would be a significant burden on homeschool parents. Additionally, all of the studies on homeschool achievement, including one just this past fall, have shown homeschool students are excelling academically. Please oppose the increase to testing of homeschooled students." If you can, call the general number to leave a message and send an email. If you like, you could also send each member a letter opposing these changes as well. Hawaii State Board of Education Board Office Phone: (808) 586-3334 Board Office Fax: (808) 586-3433 General Email Address: BOE_Hawaii@notes.k12.hi.us Board Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2360, Honolulu, HI 96804 Mr. Garrett Toguchi Chairperson, Oahu-at-large (exp. 2012) Email: Garrett_Toguchi@notes.k12.hi.us Dr. Lei Ahu Isa First Vice Chairperson, Oahu-at-Large (exp. 2012) Email: leiahuisa@yahoo.com Ms. Karen Knudsen Second Vice Chairperson, Oahu-at-Large (exp. 2010) Email: Karen_Knudsen@notes.k12.hi.us Ms. Kim Coco Iwamoto Member, Oahu-at-Large (exp. 2010) Email: Kim_Coco_Iwamoto@notes.k12.hi.us Ms. Mary J. Cochran Member, Maui District (exp. 2010) Email: Mary_Cochran@notes.k12.hi.us Ms. Maggie Cox Member, Kauai District (exp. 2012) Email: coxj024@hawaii.rr.com Ms. Janis Akuna Member, Oahu-at-Large (exp. 2012) Email: Janis_Akuna@notes.k12.hi.us Ms. Carol Mon Lee Member, Honolulu District (exp. 2012) Email: Carol_Mon_Lee@notes.k12.hi.us Ms. Donna R. Ikeda Member, Oahu-at-Large (exp. 2010) Email: drikeda@hawaii.rr.com Mr. John R. Penebacker Member, Windward (exp. 2010) Email: penebackerjr@hotmail.com Mr. Breene Harimoto Member, Leeward District (exp. 2012) Email: Breene_Harimoto@notes.k12.hi.us Dr. Eileen Clarke Member, Central District (exp. 2010) Email: eileen33clarke@yahoo.com Mr. Herbert Watanabe Member, Hawaii District (exp. 2012) Email: Herbert_Watanabe@notes.k12.hi.us For information on homeschool research please go to our website and see: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8154 . The most recent study is titled "Progress Report 2009: Homeschool Achievement and Demographics." This study is helpful in showing that more testing of homeschool students is not necessary. Thank you for your efforts to help stop these changes to the testing requirements for homeschoolers in Hawaii. Please forward this email to any friends who may not be members and ask them to contact the State Board of Education as well. If you are not a member with HSLDA but would like to be, please visit http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8155 to join today. Help protect your freedom to homeschool your children in Hawaii and all around the country. Sincerely, Thomas J. Schmidt HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Will your friends stand by you in trouble? They will if you're an HSLDA member and your homeschool is threatened. HSLDA is ready to stand by your side along with 80,000 other homeschool families. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1105 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== 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. ====================================================================== | |
