CHNOW.ORG - Legislative Platform

Christian Homeschool Network

2008 Legislative Platform for Home Educators

Our Goals

Defend the homeschool law of Washington State

Defend the future of independent homeschooling in Washington State

Defend homeschoolers’ right to higher education, employment, military service, and other opportunities available to the general public

Promote a positive image of homeschooling

We will do this by being pro-active not reactive, and by establishing relationships with key members of the legislature and staff. We will work together with the legislature to ensure that proposed legislation does not cause any negative consequences for homeschooling. We do not plan to introduce any legislation that will affect the homeschool law.

Parent-taught driver’s education- We would support legislation that would allow parent taught drivers education instead of commercial driving schools. Under current law, a child ages 16-18 must take driver education from a driving school. We would like to see this changed to allow a parent to teach his child. Several states have successfully passed this into law, strengthening parental rights and helping to keep children safe. Teaching your child to drive is one of those important skills you as a parent should be able to teach. Parent taught driver’s education would be a better solution than the current requirements, is best for children, and would be a considerable cost savings to families.

Declaration of Intent form privacy- We would like to see clarity in state law that information on the DOI form be kept confidential. Many school districts use contact information for internal distribution lists, provide information to local schools, and some school districts have shared this information with a third party. We prefer an opt-in option versus the current opt-out option. While state law protects personal information on the DOI form, CHN is reviewing possible legislation or other means to protect homeschool families from the school district’s misuse or neglect of the law (Federal law 20 U.S.C. 1232g(a)(5)(B) or state law RCW 42.56.230).

Tax credit for homeschool families- We would support legislation that would offer tax relief to home-based families. The only way this is possible at the state level is property tax relief. On the average about 50-54% of property tax monies goes to public education. While some states have had good results from this legislation, others tell us to be cautious. This will take an incredible grassroots effort and will need much support from the homeschool community.

Status: With the current climate in Olympia, we do not suggest this legislation at this time.

Alternative Learning Programs (ALP) - Due to the unfavorable outcome from recent audits of non-compliance with these programs, we want to continue our efforts to provide clarity of the differences between these programs and independent homeschooling. Within the ALPs there are programs called parent partnership programs and virtual schools, which are often confused as homeschooling. The standard model of ALP generally requires more on-site time but allows more flexibility than traditional public schools. Parent partnership programs are a unique model under ALPs and generally require one to five hours on site while the school district can claim full funding for the student. Virtual schools, distance learning or on-line programs generally do not require any on-sight time; contact with student is made via phone or e-mail.

CHN opposes public school at home programs, as they create confusion with independent homeschooling, and therefore may create more regulations for homeschooling in the future.

Parent partnership program model- In 2005, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee conducted a study and incorporated the results of the State Auditor’s investigation of the parent partnership programs. One of JLARC’s recommendations was that the legislature consider legislation to specifically authorize these programs if they choose to have them continue to operate. There is no specific legislation authorizing K-12 ALPs, they operate under a loophole in state law that allows the state superintendent’s office to create rules to determine a full time student (WAC 392-121-182).

In 2005, a law was passed to allow for virtual schools (distance learning) under WAC 392-122-182. With virtual schools and part time attendance available to homeschoolers, we question if parent partnership programs are necessary anymore. We would therefore support legislation to end the parent partnership programs. If however the legislature chooses to continue their operation, we would support legislation to restructure their funding model to reflect their lower cost of overhead, prohibit the use of terms such as homeschooling, home-based, or home education, prohibit the use of $400 to $1600 per student allotments given to parents, and enact penalties for non-compliance with state law and rules.

Virtual schools- We would support legislation to restructure the funding model for virtual schools to reflect the actual costs versus the current profit-making model they now operate under. Some sites receive up to $6000 per student. The cost of the program is less than half of this amount, with the rest of the tax payers monies than goes as profit to the school district and additional profit to the private corporation offering the program.

Education Reform (WASL) - We will continue to protect homeschool students from Education Reform mandates; such as usage of the WASL as a measurement tool for college scholarships, entrance for higher education, licensing or employment. State law exempts homeschool students from these Education Reform mandates, including taking the WASL.

The WASL is not a standardized academic test and therefore does not meet the legal testing requirements for home-based students RCW 28A.200.010 (3). The WASL is based upon public school standards, methods, and curriculum. To prepare for the WASL a student would need to use public school curriculum.

Such legislation would directly violate the no Child Left Behind Act and would be unconstitutional. Requiring homeschooling students to take a public school test covering public school curriculum would blur the distinctions between private and public education as guaranteed by the US Supreme Court in the case of Pierce v. Society of Sisters 26&US.510(1925). Quoted from http://www.hslda.org/courtreport/V19N2/V19N209.asp

No Child Left Behind Act: Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to affect a home school, whether or not a home school is treated as a home school or a private school under State law, nor shall any student schooled at home be required to participate in any assessment referenced in this act.20 USCA §7886(b)

We will continue to oppose any legislation that requires home-based students to pass the WASL for scholarships, entrance into college or Running Start, etc.

Lowering of Compulsory School Age- Legislation that seeks to lower the school age comes up every year. The goal of the National Education Association is to lower the compulsory school age to four years old! We do not support lowering the compulsory school age below the current age of eight. Lowering the age children go to school would force parents to enroll a child who may not be ready for school and would cause more of a burden to homeschool families due to increased regulations.

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