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Objective, standardized testing will remain in effect; however, three additional options will clarify the types of evaluations that can be presented to the superintendent for review. This will provide a clearly defined way for children to show progress other than taking a standardized test.

HB 1183 has been amended in the House and Senate. HEAV, HSLDA, and Virginia Homeschoolers spoke in support of the bill, as did a representative from the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. The bill was not well received by the subcommittee. Even though it was not reported from the Education subcommittee on Monday, it will still be heard before the full Senate Education Committee at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 21.

If your senator serves on the Senate Education Committee, please call or e-mail his office immediately! Your call is critical to the success of this bill!

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Day at the Capitol Review
HEAV’s Day at the Capitol was attended by a record number of parents and students! More than 500 were at the morning session to hear from state officials, listen to a Civil War living-history presentation, and learn how a bill becomes a law through HEAV’s Mock General Assembly. Participants later took tour buses to the beautifully renovated Capitol and new Visitors Center, the General Assembly, Executive Mansion, Supreme Court, and Museum of the Confederacy. We had an exciting day!

You can enjoy a pictorial review of Day at the Capitol even if you weren’t able to be with us! If you were with us, you might see yourself in some of the photos. Our sincere thanks to homeschooler Seth Fisher of Through My Lens Photography for photographing the event!

We are looking for pictures to send to local papers and to include on our website. If you have photos you would like us to consider, please send them to support@heav.org.

You can keep up-to-date on the bills HEAV is tracking by checking our lobbyist Ben Lansing’s daily Legislative Posts. You’ll get first-hand reports from inside committee hearing rooms and know what legislators say and how they vote. At any time, you can view our website for the final outcome of the 2008 Bills and Resolutions we are tracking.

Changes in the Homeschool Statute: HB 767 (Delegate Tata) eliminates superintendent approval of correspondence courses and eliminates including the SOLs in language arts and math as a method for homeschooling. In addition, the bill allows home instruction if the parent provides a program through distance learning or any other manner, or if the parent provides evidence that he is able to provide an adequate education for the child. In the Senate Education subcommittee on Monday, HEAV and Virginia Homeschoolers stated they were in support of the Department of Education bill. The bill was reported to the full Education Committee.

Public School Student Transfers: HB 259 (Delegate Fralin) requires a local school division to obtain written or electron documentation of a student’s transfer from a public school before making any status changes. It will require some form of communication from a parent if the parent withdraws a student in order to homeschool him. The bill was reported with an amendment.

Social Workers Filing Law Suits: HB 1382 (Delegate Iaquinto) and SB 788 (Senator Quayle) would have made it possible for non-attorney social service employees to initiate court actions against parents. The sponsors agreed to amendments requested by HSLDA. The House bill has passed both the House and Senate. The Senate version is in the House.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Effective Date: HB 188 (Delegate Bob Marshall) extends the effective date of the requirement for sixth-grade girls to receive the human papillomavirus vaccine from October 1, 2008, to July 1, 2010. It passed the House with an amendment 57-29 and is now in the Senate Education committee. It is not yet on the agenda for a hearing. Parents of homeschoolers or public school students can opt out of the vaccine.

Truancy and School Drop-Out Prevention - HB 1263 - Delegate Franklin P. Hall - CONTINUED TO 2009
Public School Grade Placement Testing - HB 107 - Delegate Mark Cole - LEFT IN EDUCATION
Automatic Admission to Colleges - HB 165 - Delegate David Poisson - LEFT IN EDUCATION
Computers Added to School Supplies Sales Tax Holiday - HB 263 - Delegate Onzlee Ware - FAILED
Increase in Driving Hours for Holders of Learner's Permits - HB 889 - Delegate Matthew J. Lohr - PASSED THE HOUSE
Teacher Expenses Tax Credit - HB 985 - Delegate David A. Nutte - LEFT IN FINANCE
Clarification of Two-Year College Transfer Grant - SB 148 - Senator Walter A. Stosch -  PASSED SENATE IN HOUSE

Remember to pass on our HEAV Legislative Updates to your support groups and e-groups, and post them on your blogs. We will keep you up-to-date with our new "Legislative Posts." Join our e-mail list, and encourage others in your support group to sign up for our FREE Legislative Updates.

Sincerely,

Yvonne Bunn, HEAV Director of Government Affairs

Note: Your membership and donations to HEAV enable us to continue monitoring legislation and help us to guard and promote homeschooling freedoms.

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