HSers Letters to the Newspaper Editorials Recommendation

While I do not agree with telling you what to write this might not be a bad idea to send some editors to the newspapers in our area also. The CA story has reached nationwide and it would be a good idea to inform our newspapers around the state and beyond that we are out here and a legitimate form of education and that we do not all fit within one stereotyped mold or image of homeschooling. We all know how many of us there are and that we are intelligent families making what we all feel is the best choice for our children. So get out there are support this great freedom that we have!--Tabbi
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As many of you know, the newspapers are starting to publish, probably in response to Jack O'Connell's press release and the Governor's comments, editorials saying that homeschooling might be OK but more oversight is required. Yesterday, editorials in two of California's largest newspapers, the Los Angeles Times and the San Jose Mercury News, have called for increased oversight of the state's homeschoolers:

A Right to Home School?
http://www.latimes. com/news/ opinion/la- ed-home12mar12, 0,6591492. story

State Must Set Standards for Home Schooling
http://www.mercuryn ews.com/editoria ls/ci_8542735

Both editorials praise homeschooling in many ways, yet unaccountably conclude that more regulation of homeschooling is needed. That is where we beg to differ. Homeschooling is working now and does not need to be fixed, overseen, or regulated.

All of the groups have talked, and we all agree that what we need now is really a big PR push. The public needs to hear from homeschoolers and friends of homeschoolers. They need to know we're not fringe nut cases, that we're responsible, that WE have the best interests of our kids firmly at heart, even if some families that make it to the papers (and that's why they're in the juvenile court system and we're not) might be different.

We encourage as many of you as can to write letters to the editor of your local papers (look at their websites for
rules on submitting letters, which can often be sent over the internet at their website) telling them that no such additional regulation is warranted.

It is best to be short and sweet. Be passionate but respectful, and don't denigrate anyone. State, for instance, who you are (e.g., "Our family homeschools in Anytown, California" or "My daughter teaches her three children at home") and then begin your points.

Jennifer Dees took the points that had been discussed yesterday on a conference call between leaders of HSC, CHN, CHEA, FPM and HSLDA and made a sample letter, which is printed below. We recommend that you don't use it in its entirety, but instead pick one or two points that really matter to you and use this as inspiration.

Short letters get printed. Long ones don't. So leave out most personal information (other than identifying your relationship to homeschooling) . Don't bash teachers. They are not our enemies. And MOST IMPORTANT, don't say a word about regulation or legislation being acceptable. It isn't, and all of the groups are firmly committed to fighting it tooth and nail. If it comes, we'll deal with it, but as one of my colleagues who has fought legislative battles for 20 years says, "It's 10 to 20 times easier to stop a bad bill than to pass a good one."

This battle will be won by the contributions of hundreds. We all appreciate everything that you guys do. Please forward this to your local lists, too, or to friends anywhere.

Debbie Schwarzer
Co-chair Legal Team and Legislative Chair Homeschool Association of California

Sample letter:

-- Homeschoolers have proven themselves over time. Homeschooling has been mainstream for over 20 years, with many people knowing or knowing of a homeschooling family. It's not new and experimental, or a trend to watch
carefully. Homeschooling is a popular educational option in all 50 states, and is here to stay.

-- Oversight of homeschoolers is not needed and is detrimental to student performance. Research shows that homeschoolers outperform public school students by every measure. Further, homeschoolers in states without oversight, such as California, outperform homeschoolers in states in which homeschooling is heavily
regulated (e.g., Pennsylvania) . [Research, HSLDA]

-- Additional regulation of homeschoolers would cost money -- money the state does not have available for its education needs at this time. Regulating homeschoolers would add an expensive layer of bureaucracy to our state education department. Wouldn't it be better to spend any available funds on the children in public schools,
rather than on imposing additional regulations on homeschooling families when no evidence shows it is needed?

-- Homeschoolers are skeptical of being regulated by a state education system that is not doing a good job of its own mission. The state is in the process of drastically slashing its education budget. According to State Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell, "This budget will not help us close the achievement gap that
threatens the future of our students and our state." In January, Education Week's comprehensive report card gave California a grade of "D+" when it comes to funding our schools, a "C-" on the teaching profession, and a "D" on K-12 achievement. The California high school dropout rate of approximately one-third is similarly discouraging.

-- Californians, like all Americans, value their right to privacy in their own homes. Bringing regulators into their homes to tell them how they may interact with their own children is an encroachment that is unacceptable to a free
people.

-- Regulating homeschooling is not necessary to protect children from family abuse. The family involved in the California case "In Re Rachel L" was already in the juvenile court system, because the system worked to alert authorities about possible problems, not because they were homeschooling.
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Note: Homeschoolers have a common interest in protecting our right to homeschool. The Homeschool Association of California (HSC), the California Homeschool Network (CHN), Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA),
Christian Home Educators Association of California (CHEA) and Family Protection Ministries (FPM) are working
together to ask that the decision in the case of "In Re Rachel L" be depublished.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your town]