The legislative session is finally behind us, spring has arrived, testing is eminent, and the convention will be here before we know it! This is a busy season for everyone.

The following items are important for all those in homeschool leadership. Please pass this information on to those who need to be "in-the-know." The HEAV Leader Letter is for all leaders in your group. If they don't get it directly in their inbox, encourage them to send a request to support@heav.org or visit www.heav.org/signup.html to sign up. We'd be glad to add them to our list. It's FREE!

If you're not the right one to get this information, rather than deleting this e-mail, would you please let me know? Just send a quick note to support@heav.org. Thank you for helping us get this information where it needs to go.

Call the office at 804-278-9200 and let us know the number of convention brochures you need. We'll be glad to get them right out! There is no cost to you!

Convention is not just about shopping for curricula--although that's part of it. It's about listening to up-lifting speakers, learning how to teach specific subjects, getting help organizing our days, our stuff, and our finances. It's also about working with our children (from toddlers to 'tweens to teens), discovering special-needs resources, building stronger family relationships, and much, much more.

Invite your friends to come along with you to the 2008 HEAV Convention, June 5 through 7, 2008, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. It's so easy--just give them a brochure with all the details! This year's Financial Literacy Track is also appropriate for every family, whether they homeschool or not.

Leaders, you won't want to miss this inspiring session as Jane challenges the idea that we must major on fixing our weaknesses because strengths take care of themselves--they don't!

[Photo Credit: Copyright 2007 by Seth Fisher, Through My Lens Photography]

Who's Invited?
Those in leadership positions in your group--board members, coordinators, moderators, committee heads, newsletter editors--and even aspiring leader--are all invited to the Leadership Luncheon. Luncheon guests must be registered for the convention. Because of limited seating, up to three leaders from each group may attend. We will be glad to include additional names on a waiting list and contact you the week before convention if space is available for other leaders from your group. The registration deadline is May 26!

For several years, we faced the costly problem of leaders making luncheon reservations and then not attending. Not only did we have empty seats that could have been filled by other leaders, but we also had to pay for lunches not eaten.

After requesting your input last year on how to solve this problem, we found a solution--one that is fair for everyone. While the luncheon is FREE, a credit card number (or check) will be required and will be processed in the amount of $25 only if you make a reservation but do not attend. To help us plan the luncheon, please make your reservation by calling our office at 804-278-9200 by May 26. The cancellation deadline is also May 26.

What: Support Group Leadership Luncheon
When: 11:30 a.m., Friday, June 6, 2008
Where: Greater Richmond Convention Center
Reservations: Make your reservations early! Call the HEAV office at 804-278-9200.
Cost: Free! However, a credit card number will be required and processed if you make a reservation but do not attend.
Reservation Deadline: Monday, May 26
Cancellation Deadline: Monday, May 26

Previously known as option (iii), the "approved" correspondence course option will no longer be available as of July 1. Instead, a parent may homeschool if he "(iii) provides a program of study or curriculum which may be delivered through a correspondence course or distance learning program or in any other manner." These changes will ultimately give parents more freedom.

Option (iv), the SOL option has also been removed from § 22.1-254.1. We are especially happy to see this option change because of the confusion and anxiety it often causes new homeschooling parents.

The new law states that a parent may homeschool if he meets one of the following options (new language is in italics):
(i) holds a high school diploma; or
(ii) is a teacher of qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education; or
(iii) provides a program of study or curriculum which may be delivered through a correspondence course or distance learning program or in any other manner; or
(iv) provides evidence that he is able to provide an adequate education for the child.

With these changes going into effect July 1, make sure parents in your support group reference the newly revised options in their letters to their division superintendents, or use an updated "Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction" form when filing for the 2008-2009 school year. The new form will soon be available at www.heav.org.

Parents may use the following:

1. ANY nationally normed standardized achievement test or
2. An evaluation or assessment, including, but not limited to
   1. an evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, or a letter from a person with a master's degree or higher in an academic discipline, or
   2. a report card or transcript from a community college or college, college distance-learning program, or home-education correspondence school.

Under the first testing option, ANY nationally normed standardized achievement test can still be used. However, there are several reasons parents may want to show evidence of achievement by other methods. For some, an achievement test may not accurately reflect a child's progress; for others, such as a learning-disabled student, a score--even though below the 23 percentile--may show satisfactory progress. The new law will prevent superintendents from arbitrarily rejecting adequate year-end assessments.

The second testing option, an evaluation or assessment, is more subjective. As in the past, the division superintendent must determine if the evaluation indicates the child is making an adequate level of educational growth and progress. The new law clarifies the methods of evaluation that must be accepted by the superintendent. It states, "including but not limited to" an evaluation letter, report card, or transcript from the people or programs mentioned above.

What about Portfolios?
Parents who have submitted an unevaluated portfolio in the past may still be able to submit one directly to the superintendent because the language says "including but not limited to." Although a portfolio is not included in the list, some superintendents may be willing to accept this form of assessment.

A portfolio could also be presented to a qualified evaluator who is licensed to teach or a person with a master's degree in an academic discipline. This person could review the portfolio and submit an evaluation letter to the superintendent who will determine if the student is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress.

Although a limited number of homeschoolers use portfolios, HEAV regrets this option was amended out of the bill. We understand this could make portfolio evaluations more expensive for parents who typically do not use an evaluator. Please encourage anyone in your group who uses this method to let us know how portfolio evaluations are received by his superintendent.

What Academic Disciplines Will Be Accepted?
For those evaluators with master's degrees, a determination has yet to be made as to which academic disciplines will be acceptable. HEAV will be working with the Virginia Department of Education to develop policy in this area.

Testing is not required if:

• children are under the age of six as of September 30 of the school year;
• students are under the religious-exemption provision §22.1-254(B)(1);
• students are taught by a certified tutor §22.1-254(A); or
• students have graduated, regardless of age.

You can find more testing information here. Pass along this information to your group so parents will know how to prepare their students, where to find testers, where to order tests, and how to interpret the results. You can also schedule a "Testing and the Law" seminar for your support group by e-mailing support@heav.org.

I know things change. If any of your group's information has changed, or if you're not the right one to get this information, would you please let me know by sending a quick note to support@heav.org? If you would include the correct contact information, we'll update the information on our website immediately. Thanks for helping us serve new homeschoolers with accurate information!

With warm regards,