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.