| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 11/16/2012 11:54:27 AM Tj Schmidt--HSLDA Indiana--New State Superintendent Could Bring Changes to Homeschooling |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== New State Superintendent Could Bring Changes to Homeschooling Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: As many of you already know, Ms. Glenda Ritz was elected as the new state superintendent in Indiana. She will be sworn into office on January 14, 2013. Some within the Indiana homeschool community are concerned about how this change in the State Superintendent of Public Instruction could impact homeschooling in Indiana. Ms. Ritz has certainly made her opinion of homeschooling known. In a question-and-answer forum put on by the Indiana School Board Association and the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents during the campaign for state superintendent, Ms. Ritz stated that: "We don't have any policy on homeschooling in Indiana. We need some policy on homeschooling. It's actually being abused in many cases. I have heard of students being withdrawn by their parents to take care of an aging grandparent and getting absolutely no schooling at home. There are no regulations at all regarding it. So, yeah, we need some policy on homeschooling." We have already addressed the fact that these statements about homeschooling are completely inaccurate. If you haven't read the previous discussion of this issue please go to: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=16264 . The real question is whether homeschooling freedom in Indiana is in any greater danger. The short answer is that it could be. The state superintendent has the authority under Indiana law to request that homeschool families submit attendance records to verify the enrollment and attendance of their students in a nonpublic school (homeschool) under IC sec. 20-33-2-20. Generally, the state superintendent hasn't done this, and instead the Department of Education has a webpage for voluntary registration of homeschool families. However, there are other things that the state superintendent would have the ability to influence as far as homeschooling goes. Most of these would require a change to state law. At this time, we will just have to wait and see what happens. What hasn't changed is that HSLDA is still committed to working with homeschool organizations like Indiana Association of Home Educators (IAHE) and others to protect homeschool freedom in Indiana. We will continue to monitor legislation and work with various Indiana legislators in upcoming legislative session and beyond. HSLDA is already expecting legislation that would impact parents seeking to withdraw their students from public school and enroll them in a nonaccredited nonpublic school (including homeschools). While we anticipate being neutral on the above mentioned bill, we will keep you updated whenever this, or other legislation impacting homeschooling, is introduced. We will keep you informed of our concerns with any particular legislation impacting homeschooling or other parental rights and our position on the bills. We should certainly not have a "spirit of fear" with the uncertainty surrounding the future of homeschool freedom in Indiana. However, we must remain vigilant in defending that freedom, just as we remain diligent in teaching our children. We cannot do it without your help and are grateful for your stand with us for freedom. If you are not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join? If you are already a member, please consider recommending us to your homeschool friends. We hope that more homeschool families join together with us and support the work in defending individual families threatened by government officials and protecting homeschooling freedom for all. Check out these special offers to join today: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=16265 Sincerely, Thomas J. Schmidt HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> What do you look like when you get out of bed? It's hard to look our best all the time. HSLDA works to present homeschooling in an engaging, dynamic, and informative light to the public news media. More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1104 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== 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. ====================================================================== | |
