[Vision2020] Killing Homeschooling in Idaho

Dale Courtney dale@courtneys.us
Sat, 21 Jun 2003 12:08:53 -0700


Forced registration and mandatory testing for every Idaho home schooled
student are on the table.  If the measures are enacted, any student who
fails to register or who fails to score at grade level on the Idaho Standard
Achievement Test (ISAT) could be forced to attend public school.

The following is a summary of the primary elements of the Idaho State
Education Committee's "Draft Recommendation on Home Education":

-Mandatory registration and oversight of all home schoolers with their local
school districts;
-Required testing of all home schoolers on the Idaho Standard Achievement
Test (ISAT);
-Forced remediation and reassessment of any home school student failing to
score at grade level as required of public school students; and
-Truancy and juvenile criminal prosecution of students and parents failing
to comply with these requirements.

It would be better if the proposal were amended to read:

"The parents of any Idaho government school student performing below grade
level will be given a voucher equal to the per pupil cost of that student's
government school, and which can be used to attend a private school of the
parent's choice."

But what's the chances of that?

Best,
Dale Courtney
Moscow, Idaho