Homeschool Legislative News
Opposition to Honda
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HONDA Information
2006 Homeschool Legislation Update
Iowa: Virtual Charter School
House File 2099 - This bill establishes the virtual public schools Act, which permits a school district board, charter school board, or the department of education to sponsor a public virtual school. The bill includes legislative findings and declarations, which include the statement that virtual schools should be recognized as public schools and provided equitable treatment and resources as any other public school in the state.
Iowa: Tax Credit for Homeschoolers
House File 2121 - This bill provides a home schooling tax credit equal to 25 percent of the first $1,000 spent by a taxpayer on tuition and textbooks for each dependent to receive competent private instruction in kindergarten through grade 12. The credit is in lieu of the present tuition tax credit. Competent private instruction is instruction that uses a plan and a course of study in a setting other than a public or accredited private school.
NH: Compulsory Attendance Age
SB 268 - An act raising the age of required attendance of children in school. This bill raises from 16 to 18 the age for compulsory school attendance and provides a procedure for a pupil who is at least 16 years of age to obtain an attendance waiver from school.
VA: Three Bills to Amend the Home Instruction Statute
Submitted by: Shay Seaborne
- HB 1483 (Tata, R-Virginia Beach) The Home Instruction Revitalization Act of 2006 would bring the Home Instruction statute into the twenty-first century by increasing options for parents filing under option iv of the notice of intent, clarifying the language regarding mid-year withdrawal of children from public school, and providing objective testing options for families who submit achievement test scores to their local school district.
- HB 1588 (Moran, D-Alexandria) would require school districts to implement plans to make the Advanced Placement (AP) and Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) examinations available to students receiving home instruction. This is a follow-up to clarify our legislation from last year, which required school districts to notify homeschoolers of the availability of these tests. Some school districts have interpreted this language as not requiring them to administer the tests.
- HB 1340 (Bell, R-Charlottesville) would allow parents with a high school diploma to file as providing home instruction under Option (i) of 22.1-254.1. At this time, most parents without baccalaureate degrees file under either option iii or option iv. HB 1340 would increase the filing options for parents without college degrees.
Please visit The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers for more details on homeschooling legislation of interest to Virginia homeschoolers.
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2005 Homeschool Legislation
With many state legislatures beginning their 2005 session, homeschooling is once again a hot button issue. Numerous states have targeted homeschoolers by introducing legislation which would restrict homeschooling freedom.
The Federalization of Homeschooling
Posted (December 4, 2003)
Did you know?
There are nine pieces of federal legislation currently being considered by
Congress, which include the words "home school" in them, or refer to existing
legislation that includes home school.
Homeschoolers Oppose HSLDA's Efforts
Posted (December 2, 2003) As the previous legislative chair for California Homeschool Network, I learned first-hand the importance of each and every word included in legislative proposals. A poorly written piece of legislation can actually create more problems than it solves.
Homeschool Non-Discrimination Act (HONDA)
Posted (December 1, 2003) Homeschoolers in some states may suffer "unintended consequences" because of this legislation. Do you know exactly how HR 2372 & SB 1562 will affect your state's homeschool practices and your current state laws?