Prepared by the Christian Homeschool Network www.chnow.org
The intent of this bill is to allow
school districts to offer distance learning programs, and allow part-time attendance of home-based and private school students.
In essence this bill would expand the alternative learning programs, specifically the parent partnership programs. Any homeschooler
that joins a public school program could risk the freedoms enjoyed under the home-based instruction law. We oppose these programs
mainly due to how they exploit homeschooling and our valuable tax dollars.
1. Current state rules (WAC 392-121) allow for full-time funding for students in alternative learning programs,
whom are required to be on-site as little as one hour to five hours per week. Why should these programs receive full funds
for part-time schooling? This bill would allow full funding to students who are not on-site at all. It is not even clear if
the student is in the school district, the state, or even the country? This is a blatant mis-use of valuable tax dollars.
2.. The State Auditors Office is conducting a statewide investigation of alternative learning programs.
This is due to several sites that are not following current rules, and questionable spending. Most of the non-compliance issues
are related to; no written student learning plan, lack of tracking student’s progress, using curricula not approved
by the school district, use of non-certified staff, items purchased, etc. If programs are not following current rules, what
makes us think they will follow them now? We have asked members of the legislator to wait until the completion of this audit.
Lets pass real legislation that tightens up the law and rules governing these types of programs.
Many sites give parents $400 to $1500 allotment money per student, to pay for anything listed in the student
learning plan, like ski lift tickets (for PE), science passes, private piano lessons, private classes, etc. This bill is silent
on this issue. Stronger language is needed to stop these questionable expenditures. This bill would only encourage these fiscally
irresponsible programs.
3 Contract schools were originally developed for students who are academically "at-risk"
RCW 28A 150.305 (2) Eligible students include students who are likely to be expelled or who are enrolled in
the school district but have been suspended, are academically at risk, or who have been subject to repeated disciplinary actions
due to behavioral problems.
ALL homeschoolers should oppose any potential legislation that links homeschooling with "at-risk" students.
There is no language in this bill that would clarify this issue.
Note: This bill includes language that would allow for a school district program to contract directly with a
student/parent. Homeschoolers would become a target of their agressive marketing. Homeschoolers need to be warned that five
classes equals five hours, this allows the school district to claim the student as a full time student, therefore losing their
independent homeschool status.
4. These programs are many times confused with independent homeschooling. Our concern is later these programs
could become confused with independent homeschooling and regulations mandated for them may be imposed on independent homeschoolers.
This bill does not make the distinction clear that these are public school programs, that allow some of the schooling to be
done at home. All of the current sites that market to home-based students, use the term home or homeschooling in their
name or in their literature. This has caused much confusion with homeschoolers, the media, and some school districts. This
should not be confused with independent homeschooling done under the home-based instruction law of the state of Washington.
We would like to see language that makes this distinction clear.
There are an estimated 85 sites, with an enrollment of 12,000, which equates to at least $80 million in taxpayer
dollars. Wouldn’t it be more responsible to wait until the state auditor completes their audit. This information would
be valuable to determine appropriate changes or legislation. Passing this bill would basically give OSPI a blank check. Maybe
this is what they are hoping for.
Call the legislative hotline 1-800-562-6000 and leave a message for your senator and Senator Johnson chair of
the senate education commitee stating that you oppose this legislation. Or call, e-mail members of the senate education committee.
Senator Johnson, Chair (360) 786-7692
