Leader Letter
May 2, 2006
Dear Support Group Leader,
Homeschool meetings, co-ops, and classes will soon conclude for this academic year. As a support group leader, I remember feeling a sense of relief—and a great sense of accomplishment. Leadership presents many challenges, but also many rewards.
We would like to show our appreciation for your service to the homeschoolers in your community by inviting you to be our guest at HEAV's Support Group Leader Luncheon. This event will be held in your honor at the HEAV Convention on Friday, June 9 at 11:45 a.m.
The luncheon is our gift of appreciation to current support group leaders who register for the convention. Please extend this invitation to co-leaders, coordinators, newsletter editors, and others who have faithfully served with you in a leadership capacity.
We hope you will join fellow leaders for encouragement and inspiration as New York state leader Cheryl Carter shares workable solutions to managing your home and paperwork. We will also hold drawings for many valuable gifts donated by our exhibit hall vendors who likewise want to recognize the important work you do.
Reservations can be made by completing the 2006 Leader Luncheon reservation form that was recently mailed to your group's address. You can send the completed form to HEAV, P.O. Box 6745, Richmond, VA 23230 or fax it to 804-278-9202. To help us plan the luncheon, please reply by May 18.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the homeschoolers in your area. I look forward to visiting with you at the Leader Luncheon!
With warm regards,
Yvonne Bunn
Director of Homeschool Support
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
1) CONVENTION NEWS
1.1 Convention Table Volunteers Needed - June 8-10, 2006
1.2 Free Convention Introductory Sessions
2) HOMESCHOOL NEWS
2.1 Mentoring Program Serves New Homeschoolers
2.2 HEAV Volunteer Counselors Needed
2.3 Special Needs Services for Homeschoolers
3) LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
3.1 Important Changes in the Homeschool Statute
4) HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS
4.1 Reminders
4.2 Last Month's Survey Drawing Winner
4.3 Leader Surveys
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
1) CONVENTION NEWS
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
1.1 Convention Table Volunteers Needed - June 8-10, 2006
HEAV is searching for volunteers to assist at our convention tables. We are very excited about this year's state convention, but need your help to listen compassionately to concerns, and offer words of encouragement to new homeschooling families, answer member questions, and sell books and goods.
As a support group leader and homeschool veteran, you make the perfect volunteer! Beside sharing pearls of wisdom, you will in effect become the face of HEAV to many new homeschool families. You will most likely meet some of these same convention attendees again in your local communities. Convention table volunteers really perform a wonderful service!
The commitment involves a two-hour shift during the convention in Richmond:
- Thursday, June 8, 1-5 p.m.
- Thursday, June 8, 5-9 p.m.
- Friday, June 9, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Saturday, June 10, 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Al and Linda Linder will be organizing table volunteers again this year. If you'd like to volunteer, please respond by sending them your name, address, phone number, and your ability to receive attachments via e-mail.
Schedules will be developed in mid-May. If you have already volunteered, we thank you in advance for your service.
To volunteer, contact Al and Linda Linder at 703-791-2000, Alinder@heav.org, or Linda@heav.org.
[Our thanks to Al and Linda Linder!]
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
1.2 Free Convention Introductory Sessions
Whether you're a support group leader or a group contact person, you probably spend a lot of time on the phone providing answers to basic homeschool questions. No one doubts your willingness to serve other homeschoolers in this manner, but we know it can take a lot of your time.
Like you, we want parents to obtain the information and encouragement they need to succeed in homeschooling. Rather than presenting the same information time after time, you can now personally invite interested parents to join hundreds of other homeschoolers at four FREE introductory sessions at the HEAV Convention! Parents who have just begun their homeschool journey, and even those who are still undecided, can obtain answers to their questions and have their fears allayed!
The free sessions will be held from 2-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 at the HEAV Convention in the Richmond Convention Center. Each session will offer solid, practical information on a different subject:
- Introduction to Home Education
- How to Begin: What You Really Need to Know!
- Choosing Curricula: Charting Your Family's Course
- Know the Law: Notifying and Testing Demystified
Afterward, session attendees will enjoy a free "sneak" preview of the exhibit hall from 7:30-9 p.m.
Please give interested parents a convention brochure or encourage them to visit our website at www.heav.org for more information.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
2) HOMESCHOOL NEWS
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
2.1 Mentoring Program Serves New Homeschoolers
A local support group had grown to the point that it was a challenge to meet the needs of the new and veteran homeschoolers alike. Group leaders wanted to cover topics of broad homeschool interest in their meetings, but new member families needed basic information in a supportive forum. To address this vital need, a homeschooling mom and support group leader created an innovative mentoring program for new homeschoolers named Home Education 101.
Now in its third year of existence, the program offers volunteer "mentor" families a manual with outlines and information to follow in nine sessions. Some homeschool families use the manual just for family-to-family mentoring. Sessions can be held simultaneously in several different geographic locations and at any time during the year for families who make midyear decisions to homeschool.
The program provides new parents with a workbook of helpful information, and allows them to meet with other families in a small-group setting to learn the basics from experienced homeschoolers.
For more information about the program, visit www.HomeEducation101.com.
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
2.2 HEAV Volunteer Counselors Needed
Put your valuable homeschool experience to work, while staying at home! HEAV is looking for five to eight experienced homeschool parents to guide families through the beginning homeschooling process. Volunteers will answer questions and help parents make curriculum choices that fit their family's needs.
Counseling would be by phone, one day a week. The goal is to have a different person "on call" each day of the week. Phone calls that arrive in the HEAV office would be forwarded to a voice-mailbox, and checked the same day by an "on call" volunteer. Phone calls should be returned within 24 hours from volunteers' homes, at their convenience. Training and materials will be provided by HEAV.
If you are interested or you know of someone in your support group who would like to assist new homeschoolers, contact Vicki Bentley at vicki@heav.org with a name and phone number. You may also leave a message at the HEAV office at 804-278-9200, ext. #34. Vicki will contact you personally with more details.
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
2.3 Special-Needs Services for Homeschoolers
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004 is a federal program to identify and serve children and youth with disabilities. Private and home-instructed students may also receive limited services.
The Newport News and York County School Divisions invited HEAV to separate meetings to discuss the availability of services to disabled private and homeschool students. In both meetings, school division officials announced they had set aside a small amount of the school budget to provide services for special-needs private and homeschool students. Representatives present at the meetings determined speech therapy would be the most effective use of the allotted funds, allowing each school division to serve less than a dozen students.
"Private and homeschooled students with disabilities have no individual entitlement to receive some or all of the special education and related services that the student would receive if enrolled in a pubic school. The school division, however, must set-aside a portion of federal IDEIA funding based on the number of students with disabilities who have been identified with disabilities for use in providing services to students who attend private schools. These funds will be used to provide special education and related services to such parentally-placed students for the 2006-2007 fiscal year to the extent afforded by those funds."
All school divisions fall under the jurisdiction of IDEIA. School officials have an obligation to spend a proportionate amount of funds to provide special education and services to private and homeschooled children with disabilities. For more information on the available services and the number of students who can be served in your district, contact your local school division.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
3) LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
3.1 Important Changes in the Homeschool Statute
The 2006 General Assembly session will be remembered by homeschoolers as one of the most effective legislative sessions ever. Four bills successfully passed the legislature and made important improvements in Virginia's homeschool law. During the same session, an attempt to restrict homeschool freedoms was quickly defeated.
HEAV, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, and Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) cooperated to craft language for four important homeschool bills. HEAV spearheaded companion House and Senate bills to change the option (i) requirement from a baccalaureate degree to a high school diploma for parents. The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers led the charge on a bill to clarify midyear withdrawals and expand testing options. It also worked to clarify language in a 2005 bill to ensure that Advanced Placement (AP) and Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) tests are available for homeschooled students.
Option (i) Change to High School Diploma
The change in option (i) is one of the most significant changes in the homeschool law since its passage more than 23 years ago. It actually addresses a long-standing problem with option (iv) regarding the uneven application of the law. Under option (iv), a number of school districts have developed different policies regarding how a parent must demonstrate the Virginia standards of learning (SOLs) are included in their homeschool curriculum. In addition, many parents under option (iv) felt intimidated by the requirement to explain why they were qualified to teach their children.
Now parents without a baccalaureate degree will no longer be required to be under the additional oversight of option (iv). They will not have to choose between using an approved correspondence course (option (iii)) or including the state SOLs in their curriculum (option (iv)). They have another choice—option (i).
The change from baccalaureate degree to high school diploma is NOT a lowering of standards (as argued by the previous administration). Accountability measures remain in place.
HEAV, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, and HSLDA cooperated during the legislative session to change option (i) to high school diploma because: (1) Virginia was the only state in the nation that offered an option that required a baccalaureate degree; (2) data showed homeschoolers were providing a quality education to their children regardless of the parents' educational background; (3) test results showed that children, whose parents had a high school diploma, were scoring 15 to 19 percentile points higher than the average student on nationally normed standardized tests; and (4) no other state required homeschooling parents to align their curricula with the state's curriculum.
Testing Options
Homeschoolers can now meet option (i) testing requirements by using ANY nationally normed standardized achievement test. In previous years, homeschoolers were required to use the test approved by the State Board of Education. This change gives homeschoolers greater flexibility in the selection of tests. All other testing options remain the same.
Midyear Withdrawal Clarification
Midyear withdrawal from public schools was another area historically fraught with policy inconsistencies. Virginia is not an "approval" state. Parents are required to "notify" the superintendent that they intend to homeschool, not wait for his "approval." However, some public schools were requiring "approval" from the superintendent before parents could withdraw their children.
During this legislative session, one word was added to the statute for clarification (see type in brackets). It now reads, "Any parent who moves into a school division or begins home instruction after the school year has begun shall notify the division superintendent of his intention to provide home instruction as soon as practicable and shall [thereafter] comply with the requirements of this section within 30 days of such notice" §22.1- 254.1(B). We are hopeful the insertion of the word "thereafter" will clarify midyear withdrawal of children from public school.
Option (iv) Change
It is also hoped a minor one-word change in option (iv) will make a major difference. Although parents who choose to use option (iv) will still be required to include the SOLs in language arts and mathematics in their homeschool curriculum, in the next phrase, the word "and" was replaced by the word "or." "... AND provides evidence that the parent is able to provide an adequate education for the child" has now become "OR provides evidence that ...." This should give an additional option to parents who choose option (iv).
AP and PSAT Tests Now Available
School districts must now make AP and PSAT examinations available to homeschooled students. New language clarifies last year's legislation, which required school districts to notify homeschoolers of the availability of these tests. Some school district officials misinterpreted this language as not requiring them to administer the tests. Now school districts must notify and make these tests available to homeschool students.
All statute changes go into effect July 1, 2006.
We appreciate the legislative work of the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers and the valuable counsel and legal experience of Home School Legal Defense Association. Many thanks go to our full-time lobbyist, Martin Brown, who stayed abreast of events as they unfolded and communicated the united homeschool position with reason and strength. Our thanks go to the tireless efforts of our bill researcher Caroline Barnes, who poured over thousands of bills as they surfaced in the legislature. We appreciate the wonderful Day at the Capitol participants who did an excellent job in lobbying their representatives. Kudos go to our faithful volunteers, the many support group networks, our members, and those who contacted their legislators. By working together, we strengthened our position and improved homeschooling for all Virginia homeschoolers!
[Our thanks to Yvonne Bunn, HEAV Director of Governments Affairs!]
4) HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
4.1 Reminders
Reprints and Citation
You are free to reprint or reproduce the legislative summary (#3.1) and the article on the special-needs services (#2.3) in your newsletters and e-mails provided credit is given to Home Educators Association of Virginia.
Posters and Brochures
You can answer convention questions of interested parents and encourage veteran homeschoolers at the same time! Help us promote the HEAV convention by placing the poster from the last issue of our magazine in your local library, on church bulletin boards, in grocery stores, or in other public areas. If you need additional posters, they may be downloaded at http://heav.org/conventions/2006/index.html.
You will soon receive a packet of convention brochures in the mail to distribute at support group meetings or present to family and friends. Most people learn about the convention through personal contact with a friend. Informing others about the convention and putting information in their hands is the most productive way to spread the word! Thanks for your help in introducing people to this once-a-year event!
Resources Available
Please encourage your group members to support HEAV through the resources available in our magazine and online store at www.heav.org. Homeschoolers in the Richmond area can visit our walk-in store at 2248-G Dabney Road, located off Staples Mill Road in the city's Willow Lawn section.
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
4.2 Last Month's Survey Drawing Winner
Kathryn Stephens of Lovettsville, Virginia, is the winner of our survey drawing! She will receive a special gift from the HEAV Resource Center. We thank her for taking time to share her experiences and insight on last month's survey questions.
And our thanks is extended to all leaders and support group contacts who responded with great ideas and valuable information.
Remember, all you have to do is respond to the survey questions to have your name entered in a drawing for a FREE gift. Send your survey responses each month to support@heav.org. Keep those comments coming!
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
4.3 Leader Surveys
HEAV will be conducting short monthly surveys to learn how to serve support groups better. The e-mail addresses of those who respond will be entered in a drawing for a free quarterly gift from HEAV. Winners will be notified via e-mail and survey results may be published in future Leader Letters.
Please e-mail your answers to the following questions directly to me, Yvonne Bunn, at support@heav.org.
Inside Information
What services or information could HEAV provide you as a group leader that could help you most?
Survey Question
What is the homeschool question you are most frequently asked? Classify your response by 1) new homeschoolers and 2) veteran homeschoolers.
Legislative Issues
Is there a policy or application of the homeschool law in your area that concerns you most? If so, what is it?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2006 HEAV. Permission is given to reprint any portion of this e-mail provided credit is given to Home Educators Association of Virginia.
Privacy Policy: HEAV never has--and never will--sell, rent, or distribute your personal information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
HEAV - Serving the homeschoolers of Virginia through information, legislation, and resources since 1983! Sign up to receive the FREE Virginia Home Educator magazine at www.heav.org.
HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia)
2248-G Dabney Road
Richmond, VA 23230-0745
Phone: 804-278-9200
Fax: 804-278-9202
Website: www.heav.org
E-mail: info@heav.org
Dear Support Group Leader,
Homeschool meetings, co-ops, and classes will soon conclude for this academic year. As a support group leader, I remember feeling a sense of relief—and a great sense of accomplishment. Leadership presents many challenges, but also many rewards.
We would like to show our appreciation for your service to the homeschoolers in your community by inviting you to be our guest at HEAV's Support Group Leader Luncheon. This event will be held in your honor at the HEAV Convention on Friday, June 9 at 11:45 a.m.
The luncheon is our gift of appreciation to current support group leaders who register for the convention. Please extend this invitation to co-leaders, coordinators, newsletter editors, and others who have faithfully served with you in a leadership capacity.
We hope you will join fellow leaders for encouragement and inspiration as New York state leader Cheryl Carter shares workable solutions to managing your home and paperwork. We will also hold drawings for many valuable gifts donated by our exhibit hall vendors who likewise want to recognize the important work you do.
Reservations can be made by completing the 2006 Leader Luncheon reservation form that was recently mailed to your group's address. You can send the completed form to HEAV, P.O. Box 6745, Richmond, VA 23230 or fax it to 804-278-9202. To help us plan the luncheon, please reply by May 18.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the homeschoolers in your area. I look forward to visiting with you at the Leader Luncheon!
With warm regards,
Yvonne Bunn
Director of Homeschool Support
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
1) CONVENTION NEWS
1.1 Convention Table Volunteers Needed - June 8-10, 2006
1.2 Free Convention Introductory Sessions
2) HOMESCHOOL NEWS
2.1 Mentoring Program Serves New Homeschoolers
2.2 HEAV Volunteer Counselors Needed
2.3 Special Needs Services for Homeschoolers
3) LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
3.1 Important Changes in the Homeschool Statute
4) HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS
4.1 Reminders
4.2 Last Month's Survey Drawing Winner
4.3 Leader Surveys
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
1) CONVENTION NEWS
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
1.1 Convention Table Volunteers Needed - June 8-10, 2006
HEAV is searching for volunteers to assist at our convention tables. We are very excited about this year's state convention, but need your help to listen compassionately to concerns, and offer words of encouragement to new homeschooling families, answer member questions, and sell books and goods.
As a support group leader and homeschool veteran, you make the perfect volunteer! Beside sharing pearls of wisdom, you will in effect become the face of HEAV to many new homeschool families. You will most likely meet some of these same convention attendees again in your local communities. Convention table volunteers really perform a wonderful service!
The commitment involves a two-hour shift during the convention in Richmond:
- Thursday, June 8, 1-5 p.m.
- Thursday, June 8, 5-9 p.m.
- Friday, June 9, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Saturday, June 10, 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Al and Linda Linder will be organizing table volunteers again this year. If you'd like to volunteer, please respond by sending them your name, address, phone number, and your ability to receive attachments via e-mail.
Schedules will be developed in mid-May. If you have already volunteered, we thank you in advance for your service.
To volunteer, contact Al and Linda Linder at 703-791-2000, Alinder@heav.org, or Linda@heav.org.
[Our thanks to Al and Linda Linder!]
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
1.2 Free Convention Introductory Sessions
Whether you're a support group leader or a group contact person, you probably spend a lot of time on the phone providing answers to basic homeschool questions. No one doubts your willingness to serve other homeschoolers in this manner, but we know it can take a lot of your time.
Like you, we want parents to obtain the information and encouragement they need to succeed in homeschooling. Rather than presenting the same information time after time, you can now personally invite interested parents to join hundreds of other homeschoolers at four FREE introductory sessions at the HEAV Convention! Parents who have just begun their homeschool journey, and even those who are still undecided, can obtain answers to their questions and have their fears allayed!
The free sessions will be held from 2-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 at the HEAV Convention in the Richmond Convention Center. Each session will offer solid, practical information on a different subject:
- Introduction to Home Education
- How to Begin: What You Really Need to Know!
- Choosing Curricula: Charting Your Family's Course
- Know the Law: Notifying and Testing Demystified
Afterward, session attendees will enjoy a free "sneak" preview of the exhibit hall from 7:30-9 p.m.
Please give interested parents a convention brochure or encourage them to visit our website at www.heav.org for more information.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
2) HOMESCHOOL NEWS
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
2.1 Mentoring Program Serves New Homeschoolers
A local support group had grown to the point that it was a challenge to meet the needs of the new and veteran homeschoolers alike. Group leaders wanted to cover topics of broad homeschool interest in their meetings, but new member families needed basic information in a supportive forum. To address this vital need, a homeschooling mom and support group leader created an innovative mentoring program for new homeschoolers named Home Education 101.
Now in its third year of existence, the program offers volunteer "mentor" families a manual with outlines and information to follow in nine sessions. Some homeschool families use the manual just for family-to-family mentoring. Sessions can be held simultaneously in several different geographic locations and at any time during the year for families who make midyear decisions to homeschool.
The program provides new parents with a workbook of helpful information, and allows them to meet with other families in a small-group setting to learn the basics from experienced homeschoolers.
For more information about the program, visit www.HomeEducation101.com.
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
2.2 HEAV Volunteer Counselors Needed
Put your valuable homeschool experience to work, while staying at home! HEAV is looking for five to eight experienced homeschool parents to guide families through the beginning homeschooling process. Volunteers will answer questions and help parents make curriculum choices that fit their family's needs.
Counseling would be by phone, one day a week. The goal is to have a different person "on call" each day of the week. Phone calls that arrive in the HEAV office would be forwarded to a voice-mailbox, and checked the same day by an "on call" volunteer. Phone calls should be returned within 24 hours from volunteers' homes, at their convenience. Training and materials will be provided by HEAV.
If you are interested or you know of someone in your support group who would like to assist new homeschoolers, contact Vicki Bentley at vicki@heav.org with a name and phone number. You may also leave a message at the HEAV office at 804-278-9200, ext. #34. Vicki will contact you personally with more details.
..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
2.3 Special-Needs Services for Homeschoolers
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004 is a federal program to identify and serve children and youth with disabilities. Private and home-instructed students may also receive limited services.
The Newport News and York County School Divisions invited HEAV to separate meetings to discuss the availability of services to disabled private and homeschool students. In both meetings, school division officials announced they had set aside a small amount of the school budget to provide services for special-needs private and homeschool students. Representatives present at the meetings determined speech therapy would be the most effective use of the allotted funds, allowing each school division to serve less than a dozen students.
"Private and homeschooled students with disabilities have no individual entitlement to receive some or all of the special education and related services that the student would receive if enrolled in a pubic school. The school division, however, must set-aside a portion of federal IDEIA funding based on the number of students with disabilities who have been identified with disabilities for use in providing services to students who attend private schools. These funds will be used to provide special education and related services to such parentally-placed students for the 2006-2007 fiscal year to the extent afforded by those funds."
All school divisions fall under the jurisdiction of IDEIA. School officials have an obligation to spend a proportionate amount of funds to provide special education and services to private and homeschooled children with disabilities. For more information on the available services and the number of students who can be served in your district, contact your local school division.
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
3) LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
3.1 Important Changes in the Homeschool Statute
The 2006 General Assembly session will be remembered by homeschoolers as one of the most effective legislative sessions ever. Four bills successfully passed the legislature and made important improvements in Virginia's homeschool law. During the same session, an attempt to restrict homeschool freedoms was quickly defeated.
HEAV, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, and Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) cooperated to craft language for four important homeschool bills. HEAV spearheaded companion House and Senate bills to change the option (i) requirement from a baccalaureate degree to a high school diploma for parents. The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers led the charge on a bill to clarify midyear withdrawals and expand testing options. It also worked to clarify language in a 2005 bill to ensure that Advanced Placement (AP) and Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) tests are available for homeschooled students.
Option (i) Change to High School Diploma
The change in option (i) is one of the most significant changes in the homeschool law since its passage more than 23 years ago. It actually addresses a long-standing problem with option (iv) regarding the uneven application of the law. Under option (iv), a number of school districts have developed different policies regarding how a parent must demonstrate the Virginia standards of learning (SOLs) are included in their homeschool curriculum. In addition, many parents under option (iv) felt intimidated by the requirement to explain why they were qualified to teach their children.
Now parents without a baccalaureate degree will no longer be required to be under the additional oversight of option (iv). They will not have to choose between using an approved correspondence course (option (iii)) or including the state SOLs in their curriculum (option (iv)). They have another choice—option (i).
The change from baccalaureate degree to high school diploma is NOT a lowering of standards (as argued by the previous administration). Accountability measures remain in place.
HEAV, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, and HSLDA cooperated during the legislative session to change option (i) to high school diploma because: (1) Virginia was the only state in the nation that offered an option that required a baccalaureate degree; (2) data showed homeschoolers were providing a quality education to their children regardless of the parents' educational background; (3) test results showed that children, whose parents had a high school diploma, were scoring 15 to 19 percentile points higher than the average student on nationally normed standardized tests; and (4) no other state required homeschooling parents to align their curricula with the state's curriculum.
Testing Options
Homeschoolers can now meet option (i) testing requirements by using ANY nationally normed standardized achievement test. In previous years, homeschoolers were required to use the test approved by the State Board of Education. This change gives homeschoolers greater flexibility in the selection of tests. All other testing options remain the same.
Midyear Withdrawal Clarification
Midyear withdrawal from public schools was another area historically fraught with policy inconsistencies. Virginia is not an "approval" state. Parents are required to "notify" the superintendent that they intend to homeschool, not wait for his "approval." However, some public schools were requiring "approval" from the superintendent before parents could withdraw their children.
During this legislative session, one word was added to the statute for clarification (see type in brackets). It now reads, "Any parent who moves into a school division or begins home instruction after the school year has begun shall notify the division superintendent of his intention to provide home instruction as soon as practicable and shall [thereafter] comply with the requirements of this section within 30 days of such notice" §22.1- 254.1(B). We are hopeful the insertion of the word "thereafter" will clarify midyear withdrawal of children from public school.
Option (iv) Change
It is also hoped a minor one-word change in option (iv) will make a major difference. Although parents who choose to use option (iv) will still be required to include the SOLs in language arts and mathematics in their homeschool curriculum, in the next phrase, the word "and" was replaced by the word "or." "... AND provides evidence that the parent is able to provide an adequate education for the child" has now become "OR provides evidence that ...." This should give an additional option to parents who choose option (iv).
AP and PSAT Tests Now Available
School districts must now make AP and PSAT examinations available to homeschooled students. New language clarifies last year's legislation, which required school districts to notify homeschoolers of the availability of these tests. Some school district officials misinterpreted this language as not requiring them to administer the tests. Now school districts must notify and make these tests available to homeschool students.
All statute changes go into effect July 1, 2006.
We appreciate the legislative work of the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers and the valuable counsel and legal experience of Home School Legal Defense Association. Many thanks go to our full-time lobbyist, Martin Brown, who stayed abreast of events as they unfolded and communicated the united homeschool position with reason and strength. Our thanks go to the tireless efforts of our bill researcher Caroline Barnes, who poured over thousands of bills as they surfaced in the legislature. We appreciate the wonderful Day at the Capitol participants who did an excellent job in lobbying their representatives. Kudos go to our faithful volunteers, the many support group networks, our members, and those who contacted their legislators. By working together, we strengthened our position and improved homeschooling for all Virginia homeschoolers!
[Our thanks to Yvonne Bunn, HEAV Director of Governments Affairs!]
4) HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS
~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~ - ~
4.1 Reminders
Reprints and Citation
You are free to reprint or reproduce the legislative summary (#3.1) and the article on the special-needs services (#2.3) in your newsletters and e-mails provided credit is given to Home Educators Association of Virginia.
Posters and Brochures
You can answer convention questions of interested parents and encourage veteran homeschoolers at the same time! Help us promote the HEAV convention by placing the poster from the last issue of our magazine in your local library, on church bulletin boards, in grocery stores, or in other public areas. If you need additional posters, they may be downloaded at http://heav.org/conventions/2006/index.html.
You will soon receive a packet of convention brochures in the mail to distribute at support group meetings or present to family and friends. Most people learn about the convention through personal contact with a friend. Informing others about the convention and putting information in their hands is the most productive way to spread the word! Thanks for your help in introducing people to this once-a-year event!
Resources Available
Please encourage your group members to support HEAV through the resources available in our magazine and online store at www.heav.org. Homeschoolers in the Richmond area can visit our walk-in store at 2248-G Dabney Road, located off Staples Mill Road in the city's Willow Lawn section.
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4.2 Last Month's Survey Drawing Winner
Kathryn Stephens of Lovettsville, Virginia, is the winner of our survey drawing! She will receive a special gift from the HEAV Resource Center. We thank her for taking time to share her experiences and insight on last month's survey questions.
And our thanks is extended to all leaders and support group contacts who responded with great ideas and valuable information.
Remember, all you have to do is respond to the survey questions to have your name entered in a drawing for a FREE gift. Send your survey responses each month to support@heav.org. Keep those comments coming!
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4.3 Leader Surveys
HEAV will be conducting short monthly surveys to learn how to serve support groups better. The e-mail addresses of those who respond will be entered in a drawing for a free quarterly gift from HEAV. Winners will be notified via e-mail and survey results may be published in future Leader Letters.
Please e-mail your answers to the following questions directly to me, Yvonne Bunn, at support@heav.org.
Inside Information
What services or information could HEAV provide you as a group leader that could help you most?
Survey Question
What is the homeschool question you are most frequently asked? Classify your response by 1) new homeschoolers and 2) veteran homeschoolers.
Legislative Issues
Is there a policy or application of the homeschool law in your area that concerns you most? If so, what is it?
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Copyright 2006 HEAV. Permission is given to reprint any portion of this e-mail provided credit is given to Home Educators Association of Virginia.
Privacy Policy: HEAV never has--and never will--sell, rent, or distribute your personal information.
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HEAV - Serving the homeschoolers of Virginia through information, legislation, and resources since 1983! Sign up to receive the FREE Virginia Home Educator magazine at www.heav.org.
HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia)
2248-G Dabney Road
Richmond, VA 23230-0745
Phone: 804-278-9200
Fax: 804-278-9202
Website: www.heav.org
E-mail: info@heav.org
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Home Educators Association of Virginia, 2248 G Dabney Road, Richmond, Virginia, 23230
PHONE 804-278-9200, FAX 804-278-9202
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This page last edited: 23 May 2007
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