Additional State Financial Aid for Homeschool Graduates!
Additional college financial aid is now available for students who have been home educated. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) recently changed its policy regarding the eligibility of homeschoolers to apply for the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP).
Although homeschool graduates who are accepted to Virginia colleges have been able to qualify for federal financial aid and some state funds, they have been locked out of money from the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP). VGAP covers tuition, fees, and the cost of books for qualified students. The average yearly award in ’07-’08 was $3,671 for a community college student and $3,848 for a four-year college student.
Why were homeschoolers eliminated from this merit and need based scholarship? Students were required to be graduates of a Virginia public or private high school. Students were also required to have at least a 2.5 GPA. The VGAP scholarship eligibility guidelines clearly stated, “Students who obtain a GED or complete homeschooling are not eligible.” Due to the successful passage of a new law, this policy has changed.
Background
Last year, a homeschool graduate was awarded a VGAP scholarship during her first semester of college. However, after receiving the funds her second semester, the college removed the grant stating she did not qualify for the financial aid because she had been homeschooled. Dissatisfied with the discriminatory treatment of his daughter, the student’s father contacted his state representative, Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax). Since the deadline for filing a normal bill had passed, Senator Cuccinelli, a homeschool dad himself, acted immediately by filing an emergency bill, SB 1547. The motion was granted, a simple bill was drafted, and it quickly passed the Senate Education Committee without opposition.
After reviewing the bill’s wording, HEAV contacted Senator Cuccinelli’s office by phone and sent our lobbyist, Oscar Walker, to express our concerns about wording that would create more oversight for homeschoolers. We were also concerned the language did not clearly address how homeschool graduates (including religiously exempt students) would meet the eligibility requirements for VGAP, particularly grade point average or class rank.
HEAV, VaHomeschoolers, and HSLDA suggested new language that addressed our concerns. We came to a consensus with helpful input from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The new language required SCHEV to develop “empirical alternative equivalent measures” for homeschool eligibility for state financial aid programs. Senator Cuccinelli wanted the strongest language possible to protect the rights of homeschoolers and strengthen scholarship opportunities for one income homeschooling families.
New Guidelines
Homeschool graduates may now apply for the VGAP through the financial aid office of the community college or four year college at which they have been accepted. New SCHEV guidelines (passed July 14, 2009) now allow homeschool graduates to submit SAT scores of 900 and above and ACT scores of 19 and above as an alternative to a high school GPA. If the financial aid officer is not aware of SCHEV’s new policy regarding VGAP, respectfully ask him to contact Lee Andes, Assistant Director for Financial Aid, at SCHEV for clarification.
Although the majority of VGAP scholarship monies have already been distributed to college students for the fall ’09 semester, this law change and new SCHEV policy will help thousands of homeschool graduates in the future who plan to attend college.
Many thanks to Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax) and Lee Andes, SCHEV Assistant Director for Financial Aid, for working with HEAV, VaHomeschoolers, and HSLDA in passing a new law and establishing an effective policy for home educated students.
Yvonne Bunn @ July 15, 2009 | Blogroll, Legislative | Comments (0)
Threat of Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child Grows
The threat of ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child is growing. For the first time, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice publicly made reference to the new administration’s discussion of when and how it would be possible to ratify.
Action: Please call the White House and your U.S. senator immediately. See HSLDA’s information below for details.
From the HSLDA e-lert service
Call Now to Stop UN Children’s Treaty
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,
Monday in a Harlem middle school, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told a group of 120 students that administration officials are actively discussing “when and how it might be possible to join” (that is, ratify) the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). As before, she also communicated what a disgrace it is that the U.S. would stand with only Somalia against such a widely accepted treaty.
This is the first direct public statement by the Obama administration that it will seek ratification of the UN CRC.
In my 30 years of political involvement, I have learned to recognize this as what is called a “trial balloon.” Like in World War I trench warfare, our opponents have “sent up a balloon” to see if it will draw fire. If things remain quiet, they will proceed with their plans to push for ratification of the CRC in the U.S. Senate. To discourage them from doing so, we need to make sure that our voices are heard with unmistakable clarity. We must let the Obama administration know that we oppose this anti-family, anti-American treaty.
Action
Here’s what we need you all to do:
1. Call the White House comments line at 202-456-1111. Tell them you heard the administration wants to ratify the CRC, and you strongly oppose this giving away of U.S. sovereignty to the UN. Also, keep in mind that this treaty gives the government jurisdiction to override any decision made by any parent if the government thinks that a better decision can be made—even if there is no proof of any harm. It may be busy–we have kept it busy all day–but keep trying. It is only open from 9 to 5 EDT, so time is limited. However, you can also send them a
message online at http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/.
2. Contact your U.S. senators and urge them to oppose ratification of this treaty. (Find your senators’ contact information by using HSLDA’s Legislative Toolbox.) Ask them also to defeat it once and for all by cosponsoring SJRes 16—the Parental Rights Amendment.
It is very important that we speak up right now. Please call before you close this email!
Michael Farris
HSLDA Chairman
Yvonne Bunn @ June 26, 2009 | Legislative | Comments (0)
Calls Needed to Congress to Stop Hate Crimes Bill
In spite of the outcry, the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913) was passed out of the House Judiciary Committee by a party-line 15 to 12 vote. The full House is scheduled to vote on it Wednesday.
Last year, we had a big weapon: President Bush’s veto pen. We do not have it this time.
The Hate Crimes bill would add gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability to the list of protected categories under federal hate crimes law.
“Sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are vague terms that are not defined. Congressman King (R-IA) offered an amendment that would have barred pedophiles from receiving special protection under the hate crimes bill. The amendment was defeated on a party-line vote 13-10.
It could ultimately lead to prosecution for thoughts and restrictions on free speech and religious liberty. Although H.R. 1913 prosecutes only “crime of violence” and does not prosecute expressions or opinions, it opens the door to examining the thoughts of not only a criminal, but everyone with whom he or she may have come into contact.
An overzealous prosecutor could turn a criminal prosecution into a political correctness prosecution. Broadly written hate crimes bills in other states and countries have been used to restrict the freedom of politically incorrect and unpopular speech. This bill could be used to advance the politically correct agenda in this country by providing greater protections for certain classes of people. Future legislation could expand these protections and place restrictions on religious liberty and free speech.
Action Requested:
H.R. 1913 is scheduled for a vote by the full House as soon as Wednesday, April 29. If this issue is important to you, please contact your U.S. House Representative by calling the Capitol switchboard 202-224-3121 and asking for your Congressman or calling their direct line.
Background:
H.R. 1913 is a federal hate crimes bill. It will (1) create for the first time a federal hate crime defined as “bodily injury to any person or… attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person”; (2) provide federal support to state, local, or tribal law enforcement agencies if the agency requests federal support in prosecuting hate crimes; and (3) authorize the federal government to prosecute hate crimes if a state does not intend to prosecute the crime, or if the verdict or sentence under state charges “left demonstratively unvindicated the federal interest in eradicating bias-motivated violence.”
(1) It is unconstitutional. The 14th Amendment requires that all citizens be given equal treatment under the law. Hate crimes laws create special classes of victims and do not treat all victims fairly.
(2) It is unnecessary. Violent crimes are already being prosecuted. Furthermore, recent FBI statistics show that crimes motivated by hatred or bias against a trait of the victim are decreasing. Lastly, many states already have some form of hate crimes law. States which do not have hate crimes laws still prosecute the crimes under existing criminal laws. A federal hate crimes bill would only increase the control and scope of the federal government.
Chris Klicka
HSLDA Senior Counsel
Home School Legal Defense Association
P.O. Box 3000
Purcellville, Virginia 20134
Phone: (540) 338-5600
Fax: (540) 338-2733
Email: info@hslda.org
Web: http://www.hslda.org
Yvonne Bunn @ April 28, 2009 | Legislative | Comments (0)
HEAV Legislative Update** Used-Book Sales Not Banned
Legislative Update
January 9, 2009
As a result of the outcry from citizens, small business owners, and non-profits, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released an important memo on its policy for sellers of used children’s products, including used books.
A Law Affecting Children’s Items
The memo clarifies policy regarding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that affects selling children’s items. According to this law, beginning February 10, 2009, products for children 12 years old and younger cannot be sold if they contain more than 600 parts per million (ppm) total lead. Children’s products such as books that may contain lead in the paper or ink and are accessible to children through touch are included. The statute indicates that paint, coatings, or electroplating may not be considered a barrier that would make the lead content of a product inaccessible to a child.
Good News for Used Book Sellers
According to the new CPSC memo, the new safety law does not require resellers or sellers of used children’s products to test products for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold.
“The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.
“The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.”
As of August 14, 2008, it became unlawful to sell recalled products. All resellers should check the CPSC web site (www.cpsc.gov) for information on recalled products before selling items for children 12 years old and younger.
New Book Sales Still in Limbo
New books printed prior to the ruling are also affected by the law changes. As the law is now written, new books in production are required to include a “lead-free” certification to be legal to sell. This will greatly affect booksellers at homeschool conventions and local curriculum fairs, as well as books sold on the Internet. It will also affect the availability of books for homeschoolers to purchase.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Contact your local representatives. For their contact information, enter your zip code at the following link: http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/. Once you have found your representatives, click on “Issues & Legislation” for a sample letter.
E-mail or call the the office of the CPSC ombudsman at 888-531-9070 or www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
Call 301-504-7923 and ask for Nancy Nord, the acting head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission; if she’s busy, leave a message.
Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama. http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
ACT NOW before the February 10 deadline!
Yvonne Bunn @ January 9, 2009 | Legislative | Comments (0)
Homeschooling Showdown in Brazil: Children to be Tested by Court in Battle Over Educational Rights of Parents
By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman
MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL, August 18, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Two homeschooled
children face a battery of tests this week in a showdown between the
Brazilian government and a Christian family over the educational rights of
parents in the South American nation.
The children of Cleber and Bernadeth Nunes have already passed the entrance
exams for law school at the ages of 13 and 14, but that doesn’t satisfy the
Brazilian government, which has been trying to force them into its troubled
school system since 2006.
After over a year of battling authorities for the right to home school their
children, the Nunes’ two prodigies will be tested on a variety of subjects
to prove that their parents are not guilty of “intellectual abandonment”, a
legal term that indicates that one has not fulfilled the obligation of
providing for the education of one’s children.
The tests will include a wide array of subjects, including mathematics,
Portuguese, science, history, English, geography, arts, and physical
education. The family has been preparing their children for the test for
over a month, and the Brazilian media is covering the case.
The outcome could determine the future of homeschooling for countless
families who are currently forced to homeschool their children secretly, or
submit to the public education system.
Cleber Nunes believes that his children will pass their tests. He hopes that
a victory in his family’s case will legitimize homeschooling and pave the
way for pro-homeschooling legislation that is currently under consideration
in the Brazilian National Congress.
Bill 3518/2008, which is being cosponsored by Deputies Henrique Alfonso and
Miguel Martini, would allow parents to homeschool their children up to the
third grade, and would require annual testing to demonstrate their progress.
Those failing to meet minimum standards for two years would be required to
return their children to the public schools.
“After several failed attempts, I think our chances of being approved are
much better,” Nunes told LifeSiteNews.
“First, the failure of the Brazilian school system is clear. Second, because
now, more than ever, the efficacy of home schooling is being discussed,” he
said. “The fact that the children passed the law school exams proves that
they are at least five years ahead of other students of the same age.”
“This case has been in the nationwide media, and the great majority has
shown to be on our side,” he added.
In Brazil, a country with a tradition of heavy state control, the obligation
to educate one’s children is currently understood to be satisfied only by
attendance at a public school or licensed private school. The Nunes case
could change that.
The Nunes’ problems began in 2006 when they pulled their children out of the
public school system in response to the low educational standards and
anti-family values that pervaded the system.
The Brazilian system has received low rankings in international assessments,
according to Nunes, and is marred by high levels of violence and
intimidation on the part of students. Condoms are distributed in vending
machines to children as young as 10 years old.
State authorities responded by threatening to remove the Nunes’ children
from their custody, and to fine them the equivalent of $1,800, a high
penalty in a country with substantially lower incomes than the
industrialized world.
But the Nunes decided to fight the system with the help of pro bono
attorneys, and they now may be on the verge of achieving social legitimacy,
and even legal recognition, for homeschooling in Brazil.
Contact Information:
Cleber Andrade Nunes (speaks English)
cleber@andradenunes.org
Deputy Henrique Afonso
dep.henriqueafonso@camara.gov.br
Deputy Miguel Martini
dep.miguelmartini@camara.gov.br
For info about homeschooling in Brazil [in Portuguese]
http://www.escolaemcasa.blogspot.com
Brazilian Homeschooling Movement
Related Links:
Homeschooling Bill 3518/2008 (English translation)
http://lastdayswatchman.blogspot.com/2008/08/homeschooling-in-brazilian-congress.html
Homeschooling Bill 3518/2008 (Portuguese Original)
http://www.camara.gov.br/sileg/integras/572820.pdf
Previous LifeSiteNews Coverage:
Brazilian Government Prosecutes Homeschooling Family, Threatens to Remove
Children
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/mar/08030610.html
Source: LifeSiteNews<http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08081802.html>
Divulgation: http://lastdayswatchman.blogspot.com/
annemiller @ August 19, 2008 | General, Legislative | Comments (0)
Victory in the California Case
Here are links to today’s articles about the unanimous decision of the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District:
Homeschoolers Win Landmark Case
In a 3-0 decision the California Court of Appeal reversed its earlier ruling which would have required homeschoolers to be certified teachers in order to homeschool. (HSLDA) More >>
A Great Victory for California Homeschoolers
In a unanimous decision, the California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District today ruled that California statutes permit home schooling as a species of private school education. (HSLDA) More >>
Home Schooling Constitutional in CA
Jody and Jim Brown
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=208120
[Thanks to Joe Guarino!]
annemiller @ August 9, 2008 | General, Legislative | Comments (0)
Appeals court upholds home schooling by non-credentialed parents
By Sharon Noguchi
A California appeals court this morning affirmed the right of parents who don’t have a teaching credential to educate their children at home.A three-judge panel overturned a lower-court order in February that had created an uproar among home-schooling parents when it required the credentialing. An estimated 166,000 California children are home schooled.
The Second District appellate court in Los Angeles ruled that individual parents, like private schools, are exempt from the requirement that those who teach children be credentialed by the state.
“It is a very good decision and definitely a victory for home-schooling families in the state,” said Damien Schiff of the Pacific Legal Foundation in Sacramento, which had filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of a Sacramento couple who teach their 7-year-old at home.
But the overall victory for home schoolers does not necessarily apply to the family who sparked the case. The court ordered a new trial to determine whether the two youngest children of Phillip and Mary Long of Lynwood in Southern California should be removed for [sic] home schooling for their safety.
The parents had home-schooled their eight children through the Sunland Christian School in Sylmar. After authorities determined that the father physically abused the older daughters and the mother attempted to hide the children from authorities, an attorney representing the two youngest children asked the juvenile dependency court to order that they be enrolled in public or private school as a way to protect their well-being.
RELATED LINKS
annemiller @ August 9, 2008 | General, Legislative | Comments (0)
D.C. State Board of Education Approves New Restrictive Homeschool Regulations
NOTE FROM HEAV: Please pray for D.C. homeschoolers as they face these increased regulations, and continue to pray that the hearts of the State Board of Education might be softened. News like this is an important reminder that we still need to be diligent to guard our homeschooling freedoms lest they be taken from us.
If you haven’t already done so, please consider joining both HSLDA and HEAV. HSLDA works to monitor and guard homeschooling freedom across the nation, and HEAV works year round within Virginia to initiate and promote beneficial legislation and to defeat legislation that would negatively affect homeschoolers.
Note: HEAV members also save $20 on their HSLDA memberships.
- The following notice is from the HSLDA E-lert Service -
For the first time in over 15 years, a United States jurisdiction has enacted laws that significantly increase restrictions on homeschooling freedom!
This past Wednesday, the D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE) approved the State Superintendent of Educations June 27 draft of the home education regulations. After some discussion, the SBOE voted 5 to 1 in favor of the superintendents regulations.
Only Board Member William Lockridge voted no. When giving his reasons, he exposed the unbridled discretion the Superintendent would now have over homeschoolers. Lockridge likened the new power of the Superintendent over parents as a type of socialism.
These regulations were objected to by manythe Board recorded receiving over 2,800 emails, 400 phone calls, and written comments in opposition.
This was the third public session held to discuss these regulations. In the first session, over 120 homeschoolers attended and over 30 testified including lengthy presentations by Chris Klicka, Mike Donnelly, and Scott Woodruff of HSLDA. That resulted in the removal of the worst requirement: home visits by D.C. school officials.
However, in spite of testimony presented by Ethan Reedy, President of D.C. Home Educators Association, and Chris Klicka of HSLDA, the Board passed the new restrictive regulations. It was clear the Board already had its mind made up. (Klickas written testimony can be reviewed online here).
HSLDA had even delivered a letter signed by 10 congressmen on the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform encouraging them to work with HSLDA to ensure that the proposed changes in the citys rules will not have an adverse impact on homeschooling families in the District. All to no avail.
Among other things, the new regulations require annual notification of a parents intent to homeschool on a future form developed by OSSE (Office of the State Superintendent of Education), maintenance of a portfolio of schoolwork, and up to two annual portfolio reviews by the OSSE to determine whether a homeschool program, in OSSEs opinion, is providing regular, thorough instruction in the required subjects. No guidelines are provided by the Board giving the OSSE arbitrary discretion to implement these provisions.
To read the new regulations, click here.
HSLDA is working on an analysis to guide our D.C. members in their response to this development. Please stay tuned for further information as OSSEs deadline for notification (August 15) approaches.
annemiller @ August 4, 2008 | General, Legislative | Comments (0)
Favorable Development in the California Homeschooling Case
- From the HSLDA E-lert Service
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:
To read more visit HSLDAs California Homepage.
Thank you for your continued prayers for the California homeschooling case, In re Rachel L. Last night, Mr. Ls attorney in the juvenile court reported to Home School Legal Defense Association that the juvenile court judge terminated jurisdiction over the two youngest L children in a hearing held on July 10, 2008. Mr. L is represented by Gary Kreep, who is the director of the California-based United States Justice Foundation, which has long been a close ally of HSLDA and homeschoolers in California.
Two years ago, the childrens court-appointed lawyers had asked that the two children be ordered to attend a school outside the home. That request became the basis for the courts February ruling that homeschooling is illegal in California. The appellate court later vacated its own decision and set the case for rehearing. Oral argument on the rehearing was held on June 23, 2008 and a decision could be handed down at any time.
Mr. Ls appellate attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will be making the appellate court aware of this new development immediately. They will move to dismiss the petition pending in the court of appeal on the ground that the petition is now moot. In other words, the children are no longer under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. Therefore, any decision by the appellate court based on the two-year-old petition could not be enforced against the L children.
This is a significant favorable development toward preserving homeschooling freedom in California, said Mike Farris, Chairman and Founder of HSLDA.
Keep praying!
Sincerely,
J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President
annemiller @ July 24, 2008 | General, Legislative | Comments (0)
Homeschool Is a Constitutional Right for Parents
[Thanks to Judi Munday for sending us this article!]
Monday, June 23, 2008 (SF Chronicle)
Homeschool is a constitutional right for parents
Damien M. Schiff
Can California force parents to send their children outside the home for their education, regardless of the quality of instruction they receive at home? Today, the California Court of Appeal in Los Angeles will hear arguments in a case raising this issue – the constitutional rights of parents to direct the education of their children. The case arises out of a dependency hearing in which court-appointed attorneys for Jonathan and Mary Grace, two minor children who had been receiving instruction at home, asked the trial judge to order them to attend public school. The judge refused on the grounds that the parents have a constitutional right to homeschool their children. But the Court of Appeal reversed the ruling and interpreted California law as requiring homeschooling parents to have teaching credentials.
Understandably, the appellate court’s decision in February created an immediate controversy with homeschooling and parental rights’ advocates across the nation. Subsequently the Court of Appeal, in an unusual move, decided to withdraw its first decision, request additional briefing, and hear the case again.
But – should the court ultimately rule the same way – a mandate against homeschooling, rather than a focus on the merits of this individual case, makes no sense. For one, the court can resolve the appeal without addressing the constitutional issue by interpreting state law not to mrequire credentialing for homeschool instructors.
Damien M. Schiff is an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation. He submitted a brief to the Second District Court of Appeal, arguing against the court’s earlier ruling that outlawed homeschooling for non-credentialed parents. A link to our brief is at www.pacificlegal.org.
Copyright 2008 SF Chronicle
annemiller @ July 1, 2008 | General, Legislative | Comments (0)