Comments on: D.C. proposes greater restrictions on homeschools

By: Dana Hanley

Dana Hanley — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:17:29 +0000

Thank you so much for the information! I hope it all goes well, and I’m glad to hear they seem to be listening. What kind of things are the homeschoolers pushing for?

By: D

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:04:43 +0000

As one of the D.C. homeschool parents involved in this issue, we’ve had several meetings with the OSSE representatives. We’ve spent a good portion of our time trying to convince them that this legislation is overly burdensome and COMPLETELY unnecessary. And while they seem to be willing to drop some of the more intrusive measures (mandatory vaccinations, home visits, access to medical records) which are HIGHLY unConstitutional to begin with, they are laser-focused on two things: 1) some way to prove you (homeschooler) are actually doing what you say you are doing and, 2) some way to prove that your student is making sufficient progress. On the surface, the claim is that this is unrelated to the Jacks case and that some form of oversight was impending, which does have some truth to it. We knew last fall that the OSSE was looking at homeschooling in the District…but the legislation they put forth on 5 March, 2008, was WAY different than what they talked about last year. NOW tell me this isn’t related to Ms. Jacks?!

We continue to hammer out the details on this proposed regulation and expect it to be put before the board in mid April or early May. To the OSSE’s credit, they seem genuine when they say they want our opinion, and more likely our support, on this regulation.

By: I’m A Pundit Too | Carnival of Political Punditry - March 16, 2008

I’m A Pundit Too | Carnival of Political Punditry - March 16, 2008 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:48:41 +0000

[...] presents D.C. proposes greater restrictions on homeschools posted at Principled [...]

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:59:56 +0000

And April, yes…those are the kind of ridiculous results of allowing specific cases drive legislation. Hawaii may be seeing the same thing soon.

Something good for everyone to know, though: If you are ever contacted by CPS, your record is not necessarily clean just because the allegations were shown to be unfounded. Here in NE, anyway, you have to go down and have it removed from your record so that nothing will show up on background checks.

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:47:57 +0000

You said:

Not just on the national level but in campaigns for state and local offices.

And I couldn’t agree more! In fact, I’d say it is especially important to be active in local campaigns. These are the positions where our homeschool liberties are most likely to be challenged.

Thank you so much for your well-thought out comment!

By: Sebastian (a lady)

Sebastian (a lady) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:25:25 +0000

I lived in DC a couple years ago when one of the councilmen tried to get a universal preschooling passed. He had several town meetings on the topic. It seemed that homeschoolers were some of the only people questioning the program, which would not clearly have permited any families to decline the service. In the end, the proposal was dropped. I think in part because it was pointed out that to was being sent to a vote without having been discussed in regular council meetings (rather than the town hall meetings). Interestingly enough, that councilman later was a supporter to giving DC schoolchildren vouchers, so perhaps it was a well intentioned effort.
One of the things that homeschoolers can do is to be actively involved in campaigns. Not just on the national level but in campaigns for state and local offices. My Mother-in-law was a township trustee in a large Ohio township. She bore the majority of campaign costs and did a ton of work designing signs and flyers and passing out flyers and standing at polling places with literature. Given the small scale that local campaigns run on, even a few more people (like one or two homeschool families) is a big help.
As to why it matters, she had been the only trustee of three to vote against a teen evening curfew. After she lost her second reelection, the new trustee board voted to impose a daytime curfew as well. It’s also worth noting that two senior members of the Ohio legislature started out as trustees in that township.
So find a candidate you like and really give them some support.

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:17:43 +0000

True, Susan. And that is why we have been largely successful to this point in keeping new laws from being passed. But a lot of people are talking about passing laws in order to clarify existing law…which seems ideal. But that is a lot more difficult and we don’t know what will be added to the legislation in debate. I think we have to also take into consideration that most people just don’t think about homeschooling all that much, which is good when it comes to policy making since most people would like to see greater restrictions.

By: Sunniemom

Sunniemom — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:01:30 +0000

Thankfully our gov’t is a republic and not a democracy, and we are governed more by rule of law, and less by popular opinion. Obviously opinion is a factor, but if we can hold our legislators accountable to acknowledge and respect the purpose and precepts in The Constitution, that in itself will go a long way to protecting our home education freedoms.

Quite frankly, I think we need a move in the homeschooling world toward The Fair Tax- talk about getting rid of some of the factors that influence legislators.

By: Renae

Renae — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:46:11 +0000

You mentioned that our freedom to homeschool lies largely with public opinion. I think many people, some homeschoolers included, think that state oversight in its various forms is a good and necessary thing. I don’t know if it is possible to change public opinion in that regard.

Engaging in the debate is very hard. Often many prejudices have to be hurdled to get to the real issues. Perhaps we will never sway all of public opinion, but we can stay active in our government.

BTW, I was impressed that the Texas Homeschool Coalition mentioned the NE case. I may just have to join one of these days.

By: Sunniemom

Sunniemom — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:00:37 +0000

The only people who will respect the law are those who respect the law. Like, duh. Those who wish to operate outside the law will continue to do so, regardless of how complicated and burdensome and intrusive the laws are. Officials often don’t enforce what’s already on the books- and they want to add more to the dogpile of educational legislation?

The more educrats get hysterical about home education, the more ludicrous they appear to those who have two brain cells to rub together.