| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 4/5/2011 4:02:45 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Massachusetts: School District Threatens to Deny Homeschooling |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== School District Threatens to Deny Homeschooling Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, A Massachusetts school district has threatened to deny homeschooling approval for families who do not submit to mid-year assessments. Chicopee Public Schools Assistant for Curriculum and Staff Development Sharon St. Pierre contacted district member families with a request for mid-year work samples that demonstrate "the acquisition of critical concepts, content, and skills." In her letter she threatened that "If the assessments are not received within one week, I will have no choice but to recommend that the School Committee deny your Home School renewal application for the 2011-2012 school year due to non-compliance with the District's policy." It is our opinion that Massachusetts law provides no legal basis for a school district to demand a mid-year educational assessment in the form of a work sample, or otherwise. The 1987 Charles decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court lays out guidelines for homeschooling in Massachusetts, including assessments. In Charles, the court notes that school districts may properly require "periodic standardized testing" of homeschooled students. We interpret "periodic" to mean at most annually. Practically speaking, an annual assessment is sufficient to meet the law's demands for a superintendent to "ensure educational progress and the attainment of minimum standards." In those states where assessments are part of the legal framework they are annual, with few exceptions. The Charles case does acknowledge that homeschoolers and school districts may, in consultation, choose other methods of assessment including the submission of work samples, even midyear, if the parents agree. What is wrong is for the school district to require parents to surrender to a one-size-fits-all assessment approach as a condition of exercising their right to homeschool their children. The fact is that the vast majority of school districts in Massachusetts allow parents a choice of assessment options - this is what Chicopee should do also. What is even more egregious is for the district to threaten the right to homeschool if families do not comply with such a request. I am in communication with the school district regarding this situation, and we hope to see a resolution soon. HSLDA is committed to defending the right to homeschool without unlawful and unreasonable government intrusion. Please keep us and your fellow homeschoolers in Chicopee in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your support! Very truly yours, Michael P. Donnelly, Esq. HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> How many acorns can a chipmunk hold in its cheeks? We don't know! But we do know that gathering little by little enables ordinary folks to prepare for hard times. That principle is behind HSLDA's payment plan: by paying a month at a time, families can receive an annual HSLDA membership. Meanwhile, they can feel secure as they homeschool and focus on other priorities -- their children. Don't go nuts trying to pay for membership all at once. Choose one of our convenient payment plans. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1937 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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