August 30, 2005
Baltimore Schools Retreat from Intrusive Form
The director of the Office of Special Projects for Baltimore City Public Schools recently sent a letter to homeschool parents demanding that they fill out and return a form entitled "Verification of Continuation of Home Schooling." The form demanded private information including the date of birth and grade level of the family's children.
HSLDA called the director and explained that families do not need to use the school district's form--or any form--when they provide their annual verification. It can be as simple as a letter stating the child's name, the parents' names, and their intention to continue homeschooling.
We also explained that families who homeschool under an umbrella give their annual verification to their umbrella, not the school district.
The director admitted she was wrong. She said that she would not require families to use the Baltimore City Public Schools form. She assured us that next year the letter would only go to families under the portfolio review option, and it would be clear that use of the school district form is optional.
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