Homeschooling in the News

Several news reports caught my attention recently, and I would like to share them with you.

#1:  Homeschoolers Prevail in Illinois

Despite the dangers and failings of Chicago schools, Illinois state senator Edward Maloney (D-Chicago) has decided to crack down on children who do not attend public schools. Maloney, the sponsor of Illinois' Senate Bill 136, said, ""We're not after private school students... What we want is to know where homeschoolers are."

He can't understand why approximately 4,000 homeschooling parents and children gathered at the state capital in February to protest the bill. However, the bill has since died.


Although the bill has died, Senator Maloney is still trying to find ways to regulate homeschoolers. I urge you to read the entire content of the article found here. If you live in Illinois and would like to express your concerns about home school regulation to Senator Maloney, he can be contacted via email (emaloney@senatedem.ilga.gov). Additional contact information is available on the contact page of his website.

#2: HSLDA Helps Out in Ohio

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) came to the rescue of an Ohio family who had listened to the well-intentioned but inaccurate advice of friends instead of consulting a legal professional. She wisely applied for an expedited HSLDA membership and received the help she needed. The entire article is very brief, so I have posted it in its entirety below. (For more information on the HSLDA, please read our April 1 post titled "Legal Organizations.")

"HSLDA Arrives: Superintendent Does 180" (taken from HSLDA)

When Ms. Manning (name changed to protect privacy) opened a letter from her local school district she was alarmed by this message: “I am denying your request [to homeschool].”

The superintendent was refusing to excuse the Manning children from compulsory attendance because he had not received receipts for their curriculum, and the children had received allegedly poor reading assessments. The reading assessments were the result of a surprise testing appointment set up by Ms. Manning’s former spouse. “Failure to enroll the children in school by the end of this week,” the superintendent wrote, “will result in filing truancy charges.” 

Unfortunately, Ms. Manning had relied on a friend’s inaccurate advice and had not notified the school district of her intent to homeschool at the beginning of the school year. After being contacted by a truancy officer and learning about the requirement to submit a notice of intent, Ms. Manning complied with the law. She then found out about HSLDA and applied for a rush membership. 

Because the superintendent was not following the law, HSLDA Staff Attorney Michael Donnelly communicated with him on Ms. Manning’s behalf to clarify Ohio’s homeschool law. The matter was referred to the school’s attorney, and after further correspondence, the superintendent excused the Manning children from public school attendance.

While being connected to other homeschoolers is important, it is just as important to get competent legal advice. HSLDA exists to help homeschoolers comply with the law but also to defend them when ignorant or zealous school officials overreach their authority. Had Ms. Manning been a member before she started homeschooling and sought our assistance, we could have assisted her and likely prevented a very stressful and threatening encounter with the school.

In an email to HSLDA, Ms. Manning wrote:

“I just wanted to express my deep gratitude to the both of you for the work and time you put into my case, and the support you have given me. I have received a letter from the Superintendent excusing my children from compulsory school attendance. Another victory for HSLDA! You guys are the best! Thank you so much again, and may the Lord bless you both and your organization abundantly!”

#3: Homeschooling Faces Increased Scrutiny Abroad and in the US

The above articles seem to verify this article's statement that "an expert has noticed a 'marked increase' in the scrutiny that parents and students can face when they choose to pursue an education at home.' In some countries, parents are being fined and children are being removed from homes simply because the families are homeschooling. A suspected reason for the scrutiny is the increasing population of homeschoolers who "disproportionately represent the best and brightest." I strongly recommend reading the article, which can be found here. (http://www.gofbw.com/news.asp?ID=12750&fp=Y)