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Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV)

To: Home Educators of Virginia
From: Joe Guarino, director of government affairs

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

URGENT: Call Governor Warner Immediately to Save the Homeschool Bill!

HEAV has just learned from a reliable source close to the governor that Governor
Warner intends to amend HB 675, the Homeschool High School Diploma bill. This in
effect would kill the bill that has already passed the House and Senate!

HB 675 will allow homeschooling parents with a high school diploma to have the
same oversight as parents with a college degree. Parents with a high school
diploma would not be limited to using Option Four of the homeschool statute.

We understand the governor would like to amend the bill in two ways:

First, he would like to increase the cut-off score for standardized achievement
tests from the 23rd percentile to the 40th percentile. HEAV worked years ago to
have the law changed so average children could be taught at home--average scores
are considered to be between the 23rd percentile and the 76th percentile on
standardized achievement tests. Not only would this amendment be discriminatory,
but it would be a giant step backwards!
 
Second, he would like to amend the wording concerning the appeals process, an
option that is seldom used and is a lengthy and sometimes costly procedure. It
will not improve the situation.


ACTION:
First, PRAY that the governor will not amend the bill. 

Second, CALL THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE and ask him to sign HB 675 as is. 

PLEASE DO THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 15, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., as the governor must make his decision by the end of the day--this is the last
day.

Call Governor Warner at 804-786-2211 and express your opinion, or fax him at
804-371-6351.

You may e-mail him at http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact/email_form.html 

NOTE: An outpouring of support for this bill could save it. Please take the time
right now to call, fax, or e-mail.  Thank you!