Legislature(1997 - 1998)
05/01/1997 03:07 PM House HES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
CSSB 134(HES) - HOME SCHOOLING EDUCATION PROGRAM Number 0070 CHAIRMAN BUNDE announced the first item on the agenda was CSSB 134(HES), "An Act relating to home schooling for elementary and secondary students." Number 0074 RACHAEL MORELAND, Researcher for Senator Leman, Alaska State Legislature, explained that CSSB 134(HES) 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 legal guardian. Currently, there are no specific provisions in Alaska statute 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 the provisions for private and exempt schools, or they may participate in a government-sponsored course. Neither provision was designed with home schoolers in mind. This bill codifies the current practices of many home schoolers. Families in which children are home schooled are numerous and the number is growing. It is the opinion of Senator Leman and the Senate that home schoolers are acknowledged in law. Number 0152 CHAIRMAN BUNDE commented that other states have introduced legislation which would remove the mandatory school attendance provision. MS. MORELAND could not comment on Senator Leman's position on this type of legislation. Number 0193 REPRESENTATIVE FRED DYSON stated that our state law has not made a provision for children who are schooled at home. He felt Alaska had a sympathetic administration which has been doing the right thing on slightly questionable grounds. This bill, codifying the process, is a good step and follows a national trend. Number 0259 NANCY BUELL, Ed. D., Director, Teaching and Learning Support, Department of Education, expressed support for CSSB 134(HES) as it will provide clarification for parents choosing to home school. Right now there are lots of parents who write in and declare themselves a private school in order to qualify. This is not what the private school legislation was intended to do. There are no means to receive accurate numbers of either private schools or home schools because both home schools and private schools are registering on the same list, it is a voluntary registration. Number 0329 REPRESENTATIVE DYSON asked whether a number of states have been doing what Alaska has done and what we are now trying to codify. Number 0346 DR. BUELL believed that most states have laws which legitimize home schooling. Home schooling has a long tradition. The first court case, regarding home schooling, was held in the 1920s. It has been considered a legitimate alternative to the compulsory schooling laws. Most states ask that home schooled children be tested in some manner, so that people can see that they are doing as well as other children. Number 0387 REPRESENTATIVE DYSON commended the Administration on working with these parents. Number 0395 DR. BUELL commented that several Administration have done this. Number 0403 CHAIRMAN BUNDE asked whether home schools used the state correspondence school. Number 0408 DR. BUELL said no, although there are a lot of home school parents who use the correspondence school. Number 0415 CHAIRMAN BUNDE mentioned that children who were home schooled would not receive a diploma unless they were involved in the state correspondence school. Number 0427 DR. BUELL answered that the parents could declare their home school a private school in which case they could give a diploma under whatever name they might want to call it. Number 0452 REPRESENTATIVE J. ALLEN KEMPLEN clarified that CSSB 134(HES) is supported by the Administration. Number 0457 REPRESENTATIVE DYSON made a motion to move CSSB 134(HES) from committee with individual recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, CSSB 134(HES) moved from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|