| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 1/16/2013 12:58:14 PM Mike Donnelly--HSLDA URGENT Action Needed on Legislation Threatening Homeschool Freedom |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== URGENT Action Needed on Legislation Threatening Homeschool Freedom and Parental Rights Dear HSLDA Members and Friends, Four bills have been introduced in the Wyoming Legislature that threaten homeschooling freedoms and parental rights. Your action is urgently needed to protect our liberties and stop this legislation. There are four bills that need your urgent attention as they are moving through the legislative process quickly. The first is Senate File ("SF") 96 which increases the compulsory school attendance age to age 18 or the completion of 12th grade. HSLDA OPPOSES THIS BILL. If SF 96 passes, homeschoolers would be required to submit to intrusive government reporting for an additional two years. Those who do not continue filing notification during the additional time could be charged with truancy by school districts. Increasing the age of compulsory attendance restricts the right of parents to decide what is best for their children who are 16 and 17 years who prefer to work or pursue some other alternative form of education. The bill sponsors are incorrect in stating that this has no negative impact on homeschoolers or freedom because, they say, that children under 18 would still be able to drop out. However, two years ago the legislature passed changes that required all students under age 18 and their parents to meet with school officials before discontinuing attendance. This was done even though the compulsory attendance law remained at age 16. SF96 is simply an attempt to increase state control over family decision making and parental authority and should be vigorously opposed. Second, Senate File 104 creates the unconstitutional office of director of public education. HSLDA OPPOSES THIS BILL. SF 104 bypasses the Wyoming Constitution to strip authority away from an elected state superintendent and create a new un-elected position, a director of public education who would be appointed by the governor. Article 7, Section 14 of the Wyoming Constitution explicitly calls for the election of a state superintendent of public instruction. If the legislature wishes to change this it should do so by modifying the Wyoming Constitution rather than by political act. HSLDA believes that protecting the integrity of the Wyoming Constitution is essential, and that representative government is best served when elected officials are authorized and empowered to carry out their constitutional duties--something SF96 directly contradicts. Thirdly, please take action regarding HB 8 on Child Abuse Reporting. HSLDA supports HB 8 ONLY with the "mandated reporter amendment." This amendment is NECESSARY in order to protect ordinary citizens from unnecessary criminal prosecution that would likely result. The amendment will also define mandated reporters, which are not currently defined in Wyoming law, and clarify the circumstances under which they are required to report. The final bill is HB 144, which addresses early childhood development programs. Bills like this are a potential first step toward lowering the compulsory school attendance age and increased government involvement in a child's early education. HSLDA opposes expanding compulsory school attendance ages because doing so infringes upon parents' freedom to make educational decisions for their children. Furthermore valid research has demonstrated that programs like these are not effective. ACTION REQUESTED Please contact your senator and give him or her the following messages in your own words: "I am calling to oppose SF 96 and SF 104. SF 96 increases the compulsory attendance age. This bill is dangerous because it unnecessarily increases state control over parental decision making. The bill would lead to increased taxes and dangerous schools by forcing children who have discipline problems to remain in school against their wishes and the judgment of their parents. The law already requires parents to consult with the school before children drop out--this is sufficient. The bill imposes unnecessary and intrusive reporting requirements on homeschooling parents. "Second, I oppose SF 104. This bill creates the unconstitutional office of director of the Department of Education. This puts too much power in the hands of a single unelected official. The citizens of Wyoming passed a constitution with an elected state superintendent in order to have an elected official accountable for schools. The legislature should not make changes to this without getting input from the citizens through a constitutional amendment. Stripping the elected superintendent of her duties goes against the constitution and takes authority away from the people. Please vote against both SF 96 and SF 104." Please contact your House member and give him or her the following message in your own words regarding HB 8: "I support the mandated reporter amendment to HB 8 on Child Abuse Reporting. This bill should only be passed with this amendment. This amendment is NECESSARY in order to protect ordinary citizens from unnecessary criminal prosecution that would likely result. The amendment will also define mandated reporters which are not defined in Wyoming law currently and clarify the circumstances under which they are required to report." Please also give House members this message about HB 144: "I oppose House Bill 144 because it encourages unnecessary involvement in a parent's decisions for their children and sets the stage for lowering the compulsory attendance age. Government should not micromanage the decisions parents make for their young children and HB 144 infringes on the parent's right to make educational decisions for their children." House members contact information can be found here: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=16886 Senator contact information can be found here: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=16887 Thank you for all you do in defense of freedom for families in the great state of Wyoming! Very truly yours, Michael P. Donnelly, Esq. HSLDA Staff Attorney P.S. We greatly value you and your support--it is a privilege to serve you! If you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider taking a moment today to join or recommend us? Your support for our work enables us to defend individual families threatened by government officials and protect homeschooling freedom for all. Join now >> http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=16889 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Extreme makeovers are for extreme circumstances... Most homeschools don't need an extreme makeover, but there is something to be said for attention to detail and recognition of accomplishments. Watch the media and you'll soon see that not everyone wants home educators and homeschooling to look good. HSLDA works hard to shed light on the good work of home educators so it's obvious that we don't need someone "making-over" our homeschools. Join HSLDA and help us show the world that we're fine as we are . . . thank you! More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1943 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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If this is an invalid email address or you have other problems, please reply to webmaster@hslda.org. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: This is considered a private and confidential message from HSLDA to its bonafide HSLDA E-lert Service subscribers. HSLDA cannot attest to the authenticity of copies posted, forwarded, or sent by any party other than HSLDA. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: Please do not reply or otherwise use this email address; hslda@hslda.org is for broadcast purposes only and is not intended to receive incoming messages. We cannot reply to any email sent to this address. If you have comments or questions, please send email to info@hslda.org or call HSLDA at 540-338-5600. HSLDA members can also email staff directly through the Members website at http://members.hslda.org/contact.asp. Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
