Oklahoma homeschoolers are calling new proposals to homeschool laws an over reaction and an insult. The reason for these proposals is claims that homeschooling is being used as a cover when parents are dragged into court for truancy. There are also claims that homeschoolers are academically two years behind traditionally educated students. (That’s a first!)
Read:
School choice: Homeschool bills insulting to families
Channel 8 News in OK reports the two proposals as:
Senate Bill 472 would require parents or guardians who homeschool their child to notify the local school district and provide a report of academic progress to school officials.
This would put Oklahoma in line with New York, one of the states with the most stringent homeschooling laws.
Senate Bill 308 would let local police or truancy officials interview and temporarily detain a child not in school.
This would trap homeschool kids in their homes on school days, removing much of the joy and freedom from homeschooling. This would also cause harassment and cause trauma to homeschooled children.
Homeschoolers of course disagree with these proposals. If these laws were to come into effect, there is no doubt that homeschoolers would come under fire and be harassed to the point of many putting children back into schools. Perhaps that is the point of the proposed bills.
Current homeschool laws: Homeschooling in Oklahoma
HSLDA recommends you take action in the following ways
For Senate Bill 308:
Please call and email Senator Jim Wilson, the sponsor of Senate Bill 308, and give him this message in your own words:
“Please remove Senate Bill 308 from consideration by the legislature immediately. Under the Oklahoma Constitution a parent may provide for ‘other means of education’ to their children. This bill is an unacceptable infringement of parents’ rights to direct their child’s education and determine what is in their best interest. Children who are not in violation of the law should be exempt from being picked up by local officials simply because they are taught at home.”When calling Senator Wilson’s office understand that they will probably be receiving a lot of calls. Please be courteous but firm in your opposition to Senate Bill 308. Please let his office know if you live in his district and are one of his constituents (District 3).
and for Senate Bill 472
Please call and email the Senate Education Committee members listed below and give the following message in your own words:
“Please oppose Senate Bill 472 and Senate Bill 308. Under the Oklahoma Constitution a parent may provide for ‘other means of education’ to their children. Study after study has shown that children taught at home (on average) do above average academically. These bills are an unacceptable infringement of parents’ rights to direct their child’s education.
Senate Bill 472 will create unnecessary paperwork for public school officials and parents, wasting time and money.
Both Senate Bill 308 and 472 would also violate the child’s fundamental Fourth Amendment rights. Many children 16 and older who are taught at home attend educational activities outside of the home with the consent and under the direction of their parent.”
If you find that your state senator is on the Senate Education Committee please let him or her know that you are a constituent.
Find full recommendations and contact information here.