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Home Educators Association of Virginia Legislative Update

To: Virginia Home Educators
From: Yvonne Bunn, HEAV Director of Government Affairs

Friday, January 27, 2006

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED ON HB 1340

We need your help! Delegate Rob Bell (R-Charlottesville), the patron of HB 1340, is asking homeschoolers to call their delegates to support HB
1340.

WHAT WILL HB 1340 DO?
This bill changes option (i) to give parents with a high school diploma the same oversight and freedom to choose curricula that is currently
enjoyed by parents with a college degree. You can view the bill language at http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?061+ful+HB1340. This is an
 important bill for homeschool freedoms supported by HEAV, HSLDA, and VaHomeschoolers.

WHY IS HB 1340 IMPORTANT?
Currently ALL parents who meet one of the requirements under the homeschool statute can homeschool -- even those with a high school diploma.
Parents with a high school diploma usually comply with option (iii) (use a correspondence course) OR option (iv) (include the SOL objectives in
their curriculum, subject to the approval of the division superintendent, and offer evidence they are able to provide an adequate education for
their child). This has resulted in unequal application of the law and excessive requirements in numerous districts. Homeschoolers with a high
school diploma will no longer have to include the SOLs in their curriculum, or offer evidence of their ability to provide an adequate education
for their child. HB 1340 would give parents another option.

There is opposition to this bill. Some delegates believe parents with a high school diploma should have more oversight because they are not
qualified to teach their children. We know that’s not true.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Call and e-mail YOUR OWN delegate today! You can leave a voicemail during the weekend and send a short e-mail. Make your message brief and
respectful. Tell him or her you are a constituent and ask him to vote “yes” for HB 1340.

WHO IS MY DELEGATE?
Not sure who your delegate is or how to contact him or her? Go to the Virginia General Assembly homepage at http://legis.state.va.us/ (hold down
 your Ctrl key and click the blue link), then click on “House of Delegates,” then “Who's My Legislator.” Or go directly to
 
http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform and enter the required information.

BACKGROUND
HEAV introduced the same bill in 2004. It passed the House and Senate, but was vetoed by Governor Warner. We have a much better chance of passing
the bill this year with Governor Kaine who gave us verbal support as Lt. Governor. A companion bill, SB 499, has already passed the full Senate.
The House vote is critical.

Debate on HB 1340 was scheduled for today, but because of early adjournment, the bill was moved to Monday’s docket. Your contact this weekend will
really make a difference! Because the bill is on the contested calendar, it will be debated on the floor at noon on Monday. It is critical that
delegates are confident homeschoolers support this legislation. They need to hear from you!

REASONS TO SUPPORT HB 1340:
- Data shows homeschoolers are doing a good job.

- The homeschool statute still requires standardized testing and other checks and balances that protect the educational progress of homeschooled
children.

- It works in other states. Virginia is the only state that has an option that requires a baccalaureate degree to homeschool. Forty states do not
 any educational qualifications.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT CHANGE IN THE HOMESCHOOL STATUTE. Your calls and e-mails WILL make a difference!

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HEAV - Serving the homeschoolers of Virginia through information, legislation, and resources since 1983! Be sure to sign up to receive the FREE
Virginia Home Educator magazine and Legislative Updates at www.heav.org

HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia)
2248-G Dabney Road
Richmond, VA 23230
804-278-9200
www.heav.org
office@heav.org