HSLDA | Akron Refuses to "Approve" Christian Homeschool

August 31, 2004

Akron Refuses to "Approve" Christian Homeschool

Ohio's homeschool regulations specifically state that a "brief outline" of intended curriculum and "list of textbooks and other basic teaching materials" are "for informational purposes only." OAC § 3301-34-03(A). Despite this, many districts insist on using the word "approve" to describe the process of exempting a child from public school attendance. The implication is always that the school district has the right to reject a homeschool if it does not measure up to the district's subjective standards. The Akron Public Schools have just proven this suspicion true.

John Twinn [not his real name] of Akron filed the following "brief outline" of his family's intended curriculum for the 2004-2005 school year:

Because we are commanded by God to train our children in the nurture and admonition of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to teach them diligently at all times, we fully intend to not only meet, but far exceed the average requirements in all subject areas for children their age. It is our sincerely held religious belief that no other educational option, whether public or private, would allow us to achieve these objectives. Unlike public schools and some home educating families, we do not decide what we will cover in advance over the course of the year. We have made assurance in Section Number 5 that the required areas will be covered and in Section Eight that a minimum of 900 hours of home education will occur."

For his list of textbooks or other basic teaching materials, Mr. Twinn listed the following.

Resource materials—the Holy Bible, dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.

Magazine subscriptions.

Library loan materials.

Extensive home library materials.

Multimedia resources, including but not limited to videotapes, audio CDs, software, etc.

Home computers and Internet access.

Family activities.

Church activities.

Scouting activities.

Field trips, games, pets, art supplies, musical instruments, etc.

Community resources—museums, parks, science center, ACA observatory, etc.

Other resources as opportunity arises.

The Director of the Student/Counselor Services department of the Akron Public Schools received this notification and wrote the family, saying, "I am in receipt of your Home Schooling application [sic] for the 2004-2005 school year. The following item(s) were not included and must be submitted before [your children] may be excused from school attendance for the 2004-2005 school year: [X] List of textbooks (title, publisher, copyright date), [X] Curriculum outline. Please submit as soon as possible."

Unfortunately for the Akron Public Schools, Mr. and Mrs. Twinn have already submitted their list of teaching materials and brief outline. Ohio law requires them to inform their district of methods and materials, but gives the district no power to approve or deny their homeschool on that basis. HSLDA has contacted the district to inform them of Ohio law and to request that the district acknowledge this family's right to homeschool. Please pray for this family as they stand on the front lines of freedom in Akron.