Arkansas Legislature to begin study on changes to home school law

October 23, 2:53 PMLittle Rock Homeschooling ExaminerLynda Altman

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Anti-home school sentiment among public school officials. Copyright David Altman

An interim study on changes to home school law by the Arkansas Legislature is set to begin on November 5, 2009 at 10:00 am. Eleven representatives from the public school sector will be there. Dee Black of the Home School Legal Defense Association and Jerry Cox of Family Council located in Little Rock Arkansas will be representing the interests of home school families. Representative Les Carnine (R) of Rogers is the Chairman of the committee engaging in this study.

What to expect

Home school families should be very concerned. In addition to finding ways to penalize home school families who fail to take the mandated tests every year, expect the public school sector to demand more accountability, regulations and restrictions on home schools. The general atmosphere among public school officials in Arkansas is anti-home school although as a group homeschoolers would comprise the 4^th largest school district in the state with numbers exceeding 16,000.

Opponents of home school

According to an article on home school test scores that appeared in the October 19^th print edition of the Arkansas Democratic Gazette, public school officials are not fans of home school. The following are quotes from the article:

Brenda Gullette a member of the Arkansas Board of Education states:

"I understand that parents waive the state's responsibility to educate their children. But I don't think there is any way we [the state] can waive our accountability for the progress of these children. I would personally like to be able to look more in-depth at what is going on. I would feel more comfortable if I knew more about where the accountability issues are with home school children."

 Bryant School District Superintendent Richard Abernathy made the following statements:

"I'd like to see the home school codes tightened up a bit for these kids who sign up to test and then don't test, my guess is that there is zero follow-through."

"I would be interested in seeing it [a report of those who failed to take the mandated test] because then we [Bryant County School District] could turn them over to the prosecuting attorney."

"The system the way it stands now is a legalized way for kids to drop out of school."

Abernathy further stated that his office denies home school applications if there is reason to believe that there are attendance or discipline problems with the student in public school.

Action required by home school families

Contact either Jerry Cox at the Family Council or Representative Les Carnine  prior to November 5^th to voice concerns about changes to homeschool law in Arkansas. Homeschool leaders are invited to contact either individual in order to have a change to appear before the committee. It is very important that homeschoolers stand up for their rights.

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