Legislature(1997 - 1998)
04/11/1997 09:09 AM Senate HES
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SB 134 HOME SCHOOLING EDUCATION PROGRAM
Number 233
CHAIRMAN WILKEN announced that SB 134 was the next order of
business before the committee.
SENATOR LEMAN , Prime Sponsor, informed the committee that this
legislation was brought to his attention by those involved in home
schooling in Alaska. SB 134 provides an exemption in the section
regarding compulsory attendance.
RACHAEL MORELAND , Staff to Senator Leman, informed the committee
that there was a blank CS if the committee would like to adopt it
for discussion purposes.
SENATOR GREEN moved to adopt CSSB 134(HES). Without objection, it
was so ordered.
RACHAEL MORELAND read the following into the record:
Senate Bill 134 adds a paragraph to the compulsory attendance
policy (AS 14.30.010(b)), providing an exemption for children
schooled at home by a parent or guardian. The original bill
required students be instructed in: reading, spelling,
mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and
English grammar. The new CS on the table deletes that language.
Currently, are no specific provisions in Alaska Statutes pertaining
to home schooled students. There are several ways current home
schoolers comply with the law. Home schoolers in technical
compliance are now required to follow provisions for Private and
Exempt Schools (AS 14.45.100-130), or they may participate in a
government-sponsored course (AS 14.45.010(b)(11)). Neither
provision was designed with home schoolers in mind. SB 134
codifies current practice by many home schoolers.
Families in which children are home schooled are numerous
throughout the state and their numbers are growing quickly. It is
time we acknowledge them by law. SB 134 recognizes the important
contribution home schooling parents and students make to our state.
SENATOR LEMAN asked how many students in Alaska are being home
schooled. RACHAEL MORELAND pointed out that there is no one roster
for home schooled students. There are various home schooling
organizations throughout Alaska. Mr. Phelps could provide an idea
of the numbers of home schooled students in Alaska. In further
response to Senator Leman, Ms. Moreland noted that the committee
packet includes information, a national survey from the Home School
Legal Defense Association whose findings are reflected in Alaska.
Ms. Moreland informed the committee of a recent reading competition
in which many correspondence students won those competitions. Ms.
Moreland informed the committee that she was home schooled, private
schooled, public schooled, and co-op schooled. Ms. Moreland said
that her home school experience was the highlight of her education
besides her college experience. Home schooling allowed Ms.
Moreland to graduate from high school earlier.
Number 326
MARY TRIMBLE , President of Eagle River Chugiak Home School
Association, informed the committee that she also answered the
phones for Alaska Private and Home Educators Association. Ms.
Trimble taught in public schools for six years and have home
schooled for eight years. Ms. Trimble appreciated last year's home
school resolution and CSSB 134(HES) is the next step.
JULIE CHASE , representing Valley Home Educators, appreciated CSSB
134(HES).
JAMIE COX , testifying from Fairbanks, supported SB 134 and
encouraged its passage. Ms. Cox said that home schooling parents
are committed and dedicated and involved in their children's lives.
Furthermore, Ms. Cox suspected that home schooled students would
score above public schooled students. Home schooled students tend
to be polite and respectful.
RUTH EWIG , testifying from Fairbanks, supported SB 134 because the
state should recognize a successful educational alternative such as
home schooling. Ms. Ewig stated that home schoolers believe in
their God given mandate to train children into good, responsible,
critically thinking adults. Home schoolers favor a traditional
approach stressing academic subjects as specified in the bill. The
180 day public school requirement does not fit a home schoolers
routine which varies. Further, home schoolers consider a subject
complete when all the subject matter is completed, not by the
number of days spent on the subject. Ms. Ewig stated that home
schooling is successful locally and nationwide while public
schooling continues to decline.
SHARON SMITH , testifying from Fairbanks, thanked those responsible
for SB 134. She said that there are many reasons why people choose
to home school their children. Ms. Smith was concerned with
education and believed that every day was an education.
LISA SITES , Leader of the Interior Home School Association and past
Leader of the North Slope Support Group, informed the committee
that when her family began home schooling she believed that home
schooling could offer her children the best education available.
Six years later and three children later and Ms. Sites is even more
convinced of that belief. Ms. Sites noted that not every home
schooler is registered through the state, but last year
approximately 1,900 home schooled students were in the Fairbanks
North Star Borough. Home schooling is a viable alternative. It is
estimated that there are about 1.2 million home schoolers across
the nation and most home schoolers score well above average. Ms.
Sites reiterated comments regarding the scheduling of home
schoolers. Ms. Sites encouraged the support of SB 134.
In response to Senator Leman, Ms. Sites clarified that the 1,900
home schoolers refers only to the Fairbanks North Star Borough.
The number was derived from those listed with the Department of
Education in Juneau as private and religious schools as well as the
correspondence figures for the Fairbanks North Star Borough and the
Alyeska Central School. That number was relevant only up to
January 1996.
Number 456
SHARYLEE ZACHARY informed the committee that she would be faxing
her and her husband's written testimony. Petersburg has about 45
home schooled children, although Ms. Zachary suspected that the
surrounding islands also had home schooled children. Ms. Zachary
said that her children are home schooled because there are certain
things that are no longer taught in public schools that Ms. Zachary
desired her children to learn. Furthermore, teachers have their
hands full. Ms. Zachary indicated that her choice to home school
her children helps alleviate the burden of the public school
teacher. Children were learning to be callous and defensive. Ms.
Zachary wanted to raise her children as part of the healing of the
nation not as part of the problem.
Ms. Zachary informed the committee that the Petersburg public
school does not allow home schoolers to participate in some of its
activities and services. Ms. Zachary was told that home schooled
students were not allowed to check out books from the public school
library nor can the home schooled students read material in the
public school library. Ms. Zachary pointed out that her tax
dollars helped purchase such items, yet her children are not
allowed to utilize them. After being informed that this was
policy, Ms. Zachary contacted the school district and was told that
there are no policies for home schoolers. On the other hand, two
home schooled boys were allowed to wrestler for the public school.
This is confusing. Ms. Zachary said that chemistry and foreign
language labs, even if charged a fee, would be easier to utilize in
the public school. SB 134 would clarify the position of home
schoolers.
SENATOR LEMAN was troubled by Ms. Zachary's experience and noted
that similar situations have been experienced in the Anchorage
School District. Representative Dyson has introduced legislation
to deal with that situation. Most school districts do cooperate
with home and private schooling parents. Senator Leman pointed out
that when home schooled or private schooled students participate in
the public school system, the foundation formula compensates for
that. Senator Leman recommended that Ms. Zachary share her
experiences with Representative Dyson. All students in the state
should have access to library materials and special courses.
SHARYLEE ZACHARY stressed that she was not present to fight the
public schools, but wanted to aid in the best education of all
children in Alaska.
Number 530
BARBARA NJAA , testifying from Kenai, informed the committee that
she was a certified teacher with Alaska and that she home schooled
her son for 10.5 years. There are a number of home schoolers in
the area who are in favor of the exemption for home schoolers in
SB 134. Ms. Njaa's son entered the local high school as a Junior
and has not had any problems. Ms. Njaa noted that she enjoyed home
schooling due to her son and other home schooled children who are
able to relate to their peers as well as adults. Ms. Njaa has been
a home school supervisor for a local private school which afforded
her the opportunity to meet parents who home school with whom she
was impressed.
DEBBI PALM , a Home Schooling parent in Nikiski, noted that she too
was a certified teacher who taught in the public schools and worked
with the correspondence program. Ms. Palm supported SB 134; it is
a viable option.
MARY NICHOLS , Home Schooling mother, said that she was in favor of
SB 134 and the amendment included in the CS which would strike the
language dealing with an organized educational program. Ms.
Nichols did, with the original language, see the potential for a
bureaucrat to verify compliance with the requirements and could
lead to further interference. Ms. Nichols believed that parents
are capable of determining the curriculum of their children without
any regulations. The home schooling families that Ms. Nichols knew
were very committed. Ms. Nichols discussed the high scores of her
home schooled children. Ms. Nichols encouraged passage of the
bill.
DEAN NICHOLS , Home Schooling father, informed the committee that he
also represented the First Baptist Church of Kenai which has
several home schooling families. With regard to the concern
surrounding socialization of home schooled students, home schooled
children are some of the most well adjusted and respectful
children.
JOANNE HARDESTY , Home Schooler, said that she had been home
schooling for about six years. Ms. Hardesty noted that her
children had taken the SAT twice and scored high. The first year
Ms. Hardesty home schooled, Ms. Njaa provided oversight on a
monthly basis. Ms. Hardesty encouraged the passage of anything
favorable to home schooling.
TAPE 97-38, SIDE B
GREGORY REESER , Home Schooler, supported SB 134 as well as the
language deletion encompassed in the CS. This bill will elevate
home schooling from a policy level to legal protection under the
law. This bill will clarify the relationship home schoolers have
with the Department of Education, the public school, and parents.
SENATOR WARD concurred with the elimination of the language that
could allow the bureaucrats to become involved in home schooling.
Senator Ward noted that he had received all the letters and
information forwarded to him on this issue. He applauded the
efforts of those to better the community.
SENATOR LEMAN applauded the Administration's cooperation in this
effort. Senator Leman noted that the fiscal note from the
Department of Education says that the department does not intend to
regulate home schoolers.
Number 563
CLAUDIA WALTON inquired as to the changes encompassed in the CS.
SENATOR LEMAN explained that the last two lines of the bill were
deleted. The language "and is receiving an organized educational
program that includes reading, spelling, mathematics, science,
history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar" were
deleted. CLAUDIA WALTON inquired as to the definition of "home"
and indicated that "home" be defined in a broad context meaning in
the custody of the parents. Anything that can secure this
educational opportunity is beneficial. SENATOR LEMAN interpreted
"home" not to just refer to the domicile, but rather the home unit.
NANCY BUELL , Director of the Division of Teaching & Learning
Support, stated that the Department of Education supports
clarifying and helping parents who choose to school their children.
Ms. Buell noted the unpleasant position of being in "limbo" with
regard to the distinction between home school and public schooled
children. With regard to the language that has been deleted in the
CS, the department believes that all children should learn basic
skills and anything to that effect in the bill would be supported
by the department. Ms. Buell reiterated that the department does
not intend to regulate home schoolers in any way and noted that
many districts provide support for home schooling parents, even in
the form of home school coordinators. The department believes that
to be an appropriate use of the money following the child.
Number 505
In response to Senator Ward, Ms. Buell was not aware of any policy
that would prohibit a home schooled student from utilizing a public
school library. She reiterated that many districts provide the
option for home schooled students to take part in specialized
classes and such. In terms of practice, Ms. Buell could not say
what actually occurs. If there is a concern, the home schooling
parents should bring that before the local school board. In
response to Chairman Wilken, Ms. Buell agreed that the CS would not
change the fiscal note; the fiscal note would remain zero.
CHAIRMAN WILKEN inquired as to how the progress of home schooled
students is measured. NANCY BUELL said that the department is not
measuring the progress of home schooled students. If home
schoolers register as a private school, progress is recorded and
measured by tests. When registered as a private school, the home
schooler is given exempt status which allows the student to keep
the school records. If home schooling is an exemption to the
compulsory schooling law, there would be no way to know the home
schooled student's progress. In further response to Chairman
Wilken, Ms. Buell said that a child can be home schooled for
his/her entire education, but will not receive a diploma.
TOM GORDY , Christian Coalition in Juneau, informed the committee
that he was an Associate Pastor to a local church which has many
home schoolers.
Mr. Gordy identified the following advantages to home schooling:
The one to one student teacher ratio allows for quicker
learning.
The home schooled student can learn at his/her own pace.
Parents can monitor and choose the curriculum and its content.
Constant monitoring of the student's progress can occur.
Alleviates concerns/problems from negative peer pressure.
Mr. Gordy stated that home schooling should be held in the same
regard as public or private education. Mr. Gordy urged the passage
of this measure with full recommendations.
Number 427
JACK PHELPS , Vice President of the Alaska Private & Home Educators
Association (APHEA), explained that APHEA is a nonprofit education
cooperation serving the home school community in Alaska.
Currently, APHEA has a membership of 450 home schooling families
throughout Alaska. Mr. Phelps referred to Robert Neismith's book
entitled Megatrends which mentions home schooling as part of
society's trend towards decentralization and increased personal
responsibility. Estimates report that 2.5 million American
children are being educated by their parents. Home taught children
are widely recognized as well educated and socially adjusted people
and are now sought by many of the best colleges and universities.
Mr. Phelps pointed out that Michigan and Arizona have codified the
role of home schools in the range of educational options. SB 134
is patterned after the law passed in Michigan last year. Mr.
Phelps noted that the Legislature passed SCR 24 last year without
a dissenting vote which placed the Legislature on record as
asserting the importance of home schooling in Alaska. The APHEA
Board of Directors supports SB 134. Alaska parents who teach their
children at home contribute to Alaska's society by preparing
children for the full range of work force opportunities at no cost
to the state. Mr. Phelps noted that he submitted written
testimony. SB 134 is good public policy.
In response to Chairman Wilken, Mr. Phelps informed the committee
that he home taught four children all the way through high school.
Mr. Phelps named his home school and issued a diploma. The Home
School Legal Defense Association offers a diploma that parents can
fill out. With regards to that being an impediment to further
progress in education or the work force, that has not occurred in
his situation. Mr. Phelps pointed out that three of his children
attended college. When his son applied to Hillsdale, there was not
a problem. Hillsdale requested that his son take the college
entrance exam and that a list of subjects and textbooks that his
son studied be supplied.
SENATOR LEMAN commented that he had not home schooled his children,
but was impressed with the commencement exercise he attended for
APHEA a few years ago. The commencement included a subject
demonstration from K-12.
SENATOR LEMAN moved to report CSSB 134(HES) out of committee with
individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. Without
objection, it was so ordered.
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