The New Hampshire House Education Committee decided to study House bills 595, 301, and 545 over the summer. Some legislators think they can be combined into one bill, while some legislators don’t think that’s reasonable. So where do we go from here?
In comparison to homeschoolers’ action over HB367 and 368 in 2009 and 2010, there’s been little contact with legislators. I think many homeschoolers were confused about the differences between the bills and couldn’t choose which one to support. In recent weeks, though, I’m seeing just plain lack of interest. Does this mean homeschoolers are happy with the current law? Do they not want to decrease homeschooling regulations?
Links to text of the bills
HB545
title:repealing the department of education's rulemaking authority for home education programs.
HB595
title:amending the compulsory school attendance statutes to permit parent-directed instruction programs and repealing the home education statutes.
HB301
title:amending the home education statutes.
Copies of the amendments, available through Chris Hamilton’s website:
And then there is Rep. Hoell’s HB542. Apparently the HEC (House Education Committee) thinks they have enough homeschooling bills to study and plans to ITL (inexpedient to legislate, or kill) it.title:repealing the department of education's rulemaking authority for home education programs.
HB595
title:amending the compulsory school attendance statutes to permit parent-directed instruction programs and repealing the home education statutes.
HB301
title:amending the home education statutes.
Copies of the amendments, available through Chris Hamilton’s website:
How do you feel about notification? Should it be a one time requirement? annual? gotten rid of entirely?
Do you want to have questions about a homeschooling program continue to be handled by the HEAC (Home Education Advisory Council)?
Are you worried about parents accused of educational neglect being taken to court?
Does it frustrate you that homeschoolers are treated unequally before the law?
Is it to our disadvantage to change a law that has stood basically unchanged for 20 years? I’ve heard comments that pointing to an “old” law tends to keep major changes from taking place. Personally, I’m worried that if we get rid of all the homeschooling requirements, and then face a Democrat-dominated legislature in the future, they will put in an even worse homeschooling law (annual testing at your local school?).
These questions and others have been discussed on several email groups. I am hoping here to involve more people in the discussion. I want to hear what you’re thinking. You can respond in the comments, which will be moderated, just to keep nasty remarks and repetition to a minimum. (It’s my blog—I can do what I want.) I’ll be soliciting contributions to the blog, so if you’ve got a lot to say, you might get your own blog post.
Please do read the comments—that’s going to be our way of communicating with each other.
Chairman Balboni would appreciate our suggestions of people to put on the study committee. And I’m sure the study committee will want to hear from us as they start to work.
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