A newly announced homeschooling law in the UK would force parents to open their homes to community agents sent to inspect homeschool curriculums. I can’t tell if this “announced” law is “new” or “proposed” … the article is Crackdown on home-schooling as parents face annual checks and registration.

In the UK government agents don’t have access to private homes unless there’s a crime in progress… yet homeschooling families would be subjected to forced in-home inspections by officials.

Amy Newstead of Education Otherwise stated that “Parents have emailed me saying they were typing in tears…”

I’d be crying too. Governments that are too repressive instill a self-protective attitude of rebellion in their citizens. It is a terrible way to live.

The word is out – New Hampshire State Representative Judith Day seeks to further regulate homeschooling, making it a difficult, cumbersome and uncomfortable experience constrained by red tape regulations and fear.

This is the antithesis of independent homeschooling. Parents should be able to educate their children in freedom, with joy and inner peace. Being forced to comply with state regulations of paperwork, portfolios, public school oversight, and testing is not conducive to true home education.

Homeschooling is a form of private education. Public school officials should not be involved any more than they are involved with any private school.

Homeschooling teaches children to learn independently and with joy – by seeking information about topics that intrigue them. Forcing parents to “teach to the test” will not help children any more than the ill-conceived No Child Left Behind law does. Teaching to the test forces children into rote memorization of facts which interferes with true home education, intended to allow children to love learning because it is fun, mentally stimulating, and truly educational.

Here’s the text of the bill as it currently stands:

2009 SESSION

09-0491

04/05

HOUSE BILL 367

AN ACT relative to procedures for evaluation of home schooled students.

SPONSORS: Rep. J. Day, Rock 13

COMMITTEE: Education

ANALYSIS

This bill revises the procedures for evaluating a home education program.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

09-0491

04/05

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Nine

AN ACT relative to procedures for evaluation of home schooled students.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Home Education; Records and Evaluation. Amend RSA 193-A:6 to read as follows:

193-A:6 Records; Evaluation.

I. The parent shall maintain a portfolio of records and materials relative to the home education program. The portfolio shall consist of a log which designates by title the reading materials used, and also samples of writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the child. Such portfolio shall be preserved by the parent for 2 years from the date of the ending of the instruction. A credentialed educator shall review the portfolio at the end of the school year and shall submit a report of this review to the resident district superintendent or nonpublic school principal who shall retain such reports on file.

II. The parent shall provide for an annual educational evaluation [in which is documented the child’s demonstration of educational progress at a level commensurate with the child’s age and ability.] using the California Achievement Test, IOWA, or Stanford test of reading, writing, and mathematics. The evaluation shall be administered and monitored by a credentialed educator using standardized testing protocol. The evaluation shall not be administered or monitored by a parent. An alternative test which complies with the requirements of this paragraph may be used with the permission of the resident district superintendent or nonpublic school principal. The parent shall forward a copy of the evaluation results to resident district superintendent or nonpublic school principal. The superintendent or principal shall retain the test results on file. Under unusual circumstances, the superintendent or principal may grant a waiver to the testing requirement under this paragraph. [The child shall be deemed to have successfully completed his annual evaluation upon meeting the requirements of any one of the following:

(a) A certified teacher or a teacher currently teaching in a nonpublic school who is selected by the parent shall evaluate the child’s educational progress upon review of the portfolio and discussion with the parent or child. The teacher shall submit a written evaluation to the commissioner of education, resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal;

(b) The child shall take any national student achievement test, administered by a person who meets the qualifications established by the provider or publisher of the test. Composite results at or above the fortieth percentile on such tests shall be deemed reasonable academic proficiency. Such test results shall be reported to the commissioner of education, resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal;

(c) The child shall take a state student assessment test used by the resident district. Composite results at or above the fortieth percentile on such state test shall be deemed reasonable academic proficiency. Such test results shall be reported to the commissioner of education, the resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal; or

(d) The child shall be evaluated using any other valid measurement tool mutually agreed upon by the parent and the commissioner of education, resident district superintendent, or nonpublic school principal. The results shall be reported by the parent or the testing agency to such appropriate official.]

III.(a) The [commissioner of education,] resident district superintendent[,] or nonpublic school principal shall review the results of the annual educational evaluation of the child in a home education program as provided in paragraph II. [If the child does not demonstrate educational progress for age and ability at a level commensurate with his ability, the commissioner, superintendent, or principal shall notify the parent, in writing, that such progress has not been achieved.] In this section “educational progress” shall mean a child who, in the superintendent’s or principal’s judgment after reviewing the child’s portfolio and test scores on each area of the annual evaluation, has demonstrated satisfactory academic growth over the course of the school year.

(b) If the child is not demonstrating educational progress, the resident district superintendent or nonpublic school principal shall, no later than 30 days from the date of the annual educational evaluation, schedule a meeting with such child’s parent. The superintendent or principal and the parent shall review the results of the evaluation and determine a plan for remediation, including plans for addressing the child’s specific weaknesses. The remediation plan shall be completed no later than 60 days from the date of the meeting, and shall be reviewed by the superintendent or principal who shall attach a written response and comments to the plan. The superintendent or principal shall retain the plan and the attached response and comments on file.

(c) The parent shall have one year from the date of receipt of the written notification under subparagraph (a) to provide remedial instruction to the child. At the end of the one-year probationary period, the child shall be reevaluated in a manner as provided in this section. Continuation in a home education program shall be contingent upon the child demonstrating at the end of the probationary period educational progress [commensurate with his age and ability]. The parent of a child who fails to demonstrate such progress at the end of the probationary period shall meet with the resident district superintendent or nonpublic school principal to discuss the child’s home education program. At this meeting, the superintendent or principal shall decide whether the child’s home education program will be permitted to continue. If the home education program is terminated, the superintendent or principal shall notify [be notified by the commissioner that] the parent that he or she is entitled to a hearing as provided in RSA 193-A:7, I and II [and that the program will be terminated absent a finding for continuation pursuant to such hearing]. Upon a finding that the program should be terminated, the [child shall be reported by the] commissioner [or] of the department of education shall report the termination of the home education program to the resident district superintendent or nonpublic school principal [to the appropriate resident district superintendent,] who shall, if necessary, take appropriate action to ensure that compulsory attendance requirements are met.

IV. A parent aggrieved by a decision under this section may appeal the decision to the state board of education. The state board’s decision on such appeals shall be final.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Source: HOUSE BILL 367 – AN ACT relative to procedures for evaluation of home schooled students.

To protest this bill, contact the New Hampshire House of Representatives Education Committee Members.

More articles on this bill:

HSLDA: Homeschool Freedom Under Fire in New Hampshire – “The current New Hampshire law is already more burdensome than most states.”

World Net Daily: Homeschoolers under attack – again! – “In New Hampshire, the existing law already is more burdensome than many other states, because in addition to an annual notice to school districts, homeschoolers must give an annual statement of academic progress and maintain two years’ of records.”

Free State Blogs: New Hampshire–Action Needed to Oppose Threatening Homeschool Legislation – ” Attend the February 10 meeting of the Home Education Advisory Council (”HEAC”). In attendance will be members of the House Education Committee and Members of the Department of Education. This will be a further opportunity to demonstrate opposition and concern about this unnecessary and radical change to New Hampshire’s homeschool law. The meeting will be held in Room 12 at the Department of Education located in the State Office Complex in Concord at 101 Pleasant Street.”

Christian Newswire: Homeschool Freedom Under Fire in New Hampshire – “Representative Judith Day is the sole sponsor of legislation that would radically rewrite the testing and assessment portion of the New Hampshire homeschool law.”

Today while I was at work in the restaurant downtown a young mother came to pick up a fajito for her husband. With her was her nearly-two-year-old daughter… an adorable blondie. We also had a pint-sized blondie on hand. My co-worker’s daughter at times has the run of the place, and at that moment she was looking for something to do. Would it be to get into the salad bar lids, or beg for olives, or explore the no-nos under the sink?

Her grandmother, who also works there, scooped her up and took her to the counter so the tiny people could see each other. Such a look of surprise and shock I’ve rarely seen on faces so young. Wide eyed, they examined each other wondering how it could be that another little tiny blonde girl existed. They were so accustomed to being tiny people in a world of great big people, they apparently didn’t know there were others just like them.

Homeschooling makes us feel like the tiny, unusual people in a world that accepts schooling as the norm. When we meet other homeschoolers, or find out an old friend is homeschooling, it is often a cause of joy and celebration.

As our movement grows, it will become more and more common to find homeschooling neighbors. And for this reason, we should understand that what we’re going through to secure homeschooling rights is a special honor and not likely to be repeated soon.

As people who want to see homeschooling expand, as a movement, there are many things we can do to connect with other parents who might be considering it, but aren’t quite sure how to proceed.

First and most importantly, you can connect with and join your state’s homeschooling organization(s). These groups are there to protect your legal right to homeschool your children. They often have excellent pamphlets or flyers that can be distributed to parents who are considering homeschooling. Take some with you wherever you go. If you see a bulletin board, post one. If you meet another young parent, offer the information.

You can get your own homeschooling business cards from Vistaprint. Use these anytime you meet someone you want to give your contact information to. On them, list reasons why homeschooling is your educational choice.

Create your own homeschooling posters and put them on bulletin boards at laundromats where parents are likely to have time to read them. Tell why parents choose to homeschool their children.

Print out news articles that are positive regarding homeschooling. Have them on hand to distribute or put on bulletin boards.

If you have extra homeschool magazines you’re willing to part with, leave them in the local laundromat or clinic or hospital waiting room.

Donate a homeschooling magazine subscription to your local library… or a book about homeschooling.

Have a party to show off educational books and toys. Invite both homeschoolers and non-homeschooling friends, and let them mingle.

Invite non-homeschooling friends to your homeschool park days so they can get to know your homeschooling friends and see what a diverse and fascinating group of people they are.

Offer to speak about homeschooling at parenting classes, family resource centers, or any kind of convention that might include parents.

Start a regular talk show broadcast about homeschooling. Contact your local cable station to see if they will help you set that up.

Start a website about some other area of interest to all parents… then introduce homeschooling concepts.

Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper telling people about why homeschooling is important.

Ir you live in a small town your local independent newspaper is likely to want articles. Write one about homeschooling and submit it… it may be printed.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure it is known that you are proud of your homeschooling. Keep a list of things about homeschooling that work for you and your children so that if someone asks you how it is going, you have immediate recall of all the great things that make homeschooling the perfect solution for your family.

The more people who honor their children by educating them in the peace and love of their family home, the better it will be for all of us.

Many times I hear people saying that everyone should choose the solution right for their child… whether it be public school, private, or homeschooling. While that sounds great to me, I think the issue is deeper. Many people don’t know they are capable of homeschooling. Many don’t know how to legally pull their children out of the public education system. And many are mistaken about how effective homeschooling can be. These people need information that can be given to them by active homeschoolers.

If we truly believe homeschooling is good for kids, then it is up to us to spread the word. What you do today to tell other parents about homeschooling can save many children the trauma of having to adjust to public education during their early years.

A few years back I considered moving out of California. My first criteria for a state to move to was that the state had to be open to independent homeschooling. I researched quite a few state statutes and finally decided Idaho would be a great choice for a homeschool family to move to, so it is the first state I’m writing about here at Independent Homeschooling.

According to Idaho homeschool law, no homeschool registration or sign up procedure is required. Parents choose and purchase curriculum. No state funding is available.

There is a compulsory school attendance law for Idaho:

Idaho Code 33-202. School Attendance Compulsory.
The parent or guardian of any child resident in this state who has attained the age of seven (7) years at the time of the commencement of school in his district, but not the age of sixteen (16) years, shall cause the child to be instructed in subjects commonly and usually taught in the public schools of the state of Idaho. Unless the child is otherwise comparably instructed, the parent or guardian shall cause the child to attend a public, private or parochial school during a period in each year equal to that in which the public schools are in session; there to conform to the attendance policies and regulations established by the board of trustees, or other governing body, operating the school attended.

The best sources of updated information on Idaho State Homeschool Law are the homeschooling page at the Idaho Department of Education, and an extensive compilation of Idaho homeschool law found at the Idaho Coalition of Home Educators website. If there are any other good sources, please let me know by leaving a comment to this article.

There are quite a few helpful homeschool organizations and homeschooling support groups in Idaho:

Idaho Home Educators Association

Boundary County Homeschoolers, PO Box 723, Bonners Ferry ID 83805.

CHAMP, 2451 Watts Lane, Payette ID 83661.

Christian Home Schoolers of Idaho State (CHOIS), PO Box 45062, Boise, ID 83711-5062.

Emmett Christian Homeschoolers’ Outreach, 638 Monte Vista Dr., Emmett ID 83617.

Family Unschooling Network, 1809 N 7th St, Boise, ID 83702, (208)-345-2703.

Haven Homeschoolers, Mountain Home group, 930 North 13th East, Mountain Home ID 83647.

Heartland Home Educators – Central Idaho , Cascade: (208) 382-5561; Council: (208) 253-4496; McCall: (208) 634-3460; New Meadows: (208) 347-2463.

Home Educators of Idaho, 3618 Pine Hill Drive, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815, (208) 667-2778.

HOPE of the Palouse, 307 North Monroe Street, Moscow ID 83843, (208)882-1049.

Idaho Coalition of Home Educators, PO Box 878, Eagle, ID 83616.

Inland Northwest Christian Homeschoolers.

Magic Valley Home Educators, 2226 E. 3775 N., Filer ID 83328.

North Idaho Home Education Association, PO Box 1133, Post Falls ID 83877-1133.

North Idaho Home Educators Association (Christian), PO Box 2885, Hayden, ID 83835-2885.

North Idaho Unschoolers.

Palouse Home Learning Alternatives, 802 E White Ave., Moscow ID 83843-3923, (208) 882-1593.

Pocatello Regional Christian Home Educators, P.O. Box 3033, Pocatello ID 83206, (208) 226-5381, or 13191 N Smith Rd., Pocatello ID 83202-5225, (208) 237-8163.

Port Cities Home Educators, PO Box 2052, 1880 Old Spiral Hwy., Lewiston, ID 83501, (208) 743-0891.

Rexburg Area LDS homeschoolers.

Snake River Home Education Association, 204 5th St., Idaho Falls ID 83401.

Southeast Idaho Homeschool Association, 1440 Eastridge, Pocatello ID 83201.

Southern Idaho’s Great Homeschool Tracker, 2226 East 3775 North, Filer ID 83328.

Southwest Idaho Homeschooling Information.

Spokane Homeschoolers (includes homeschoolers in Eastern Idaho).

Treasure Valley Homeschool News, 5301 W. Amity Rd., Nampa ID 83687, (208)887-6770.

…

If you have an Idaho homeschool website or group that isn’t listed here, or if you are an Idaho blogger, let me know so I can include your link here.

[Updated July 13, 2007 to include the Idaho Home Educators Association at the top of the list.]