Dear Friends,

Senate Bill 14  (Compulsory Attendance / Truancy Bill) is back! 

The new revised version now includes two other bills (SB10 and SB31) that could compromise the freedom of homeschoolers. This bill will be discussed on February 13 (THIS WEDNESDAY!) in the Senate Special Committee on Education.  This "new and revised" version seeks to raise the compulsory school attendance age to 18 (from 16), and to apprehend offenders who do not want to cooperate.  [Bill History - Click here]

Please contact the members of the Senate Special Education Committee listed below.

Talking points:

• On March 28, 2007, Carl Rose, Director of the Association of Alaska School Boards was asked to comment on SB10.  His comments are toned down and his strong urgings were ignored in the record of minutes.  Tune in to the audio recordings of Mr. Rose's testimony: 8:27:48AM. Mr. Rose clearly indicated that we needed to look at "carrots" and engaging our children.  He stated we would put 1 billion dollars into the educational system....and asked that we look at how we are best investing those dollars. Relevant curriculum, technology-based education,  the involvment of mentors and caring adults in school and after school is the answer.
• Ask about provisions for homeschoolers, particularly independent homeschoolers who skip high school and go straight to college. 
• We are not opposed to the availability of high school courses to students older than 16....just the compulsion and the idea that children could be apprehended for not being in school.
• If students are not interested in school, and we arrest them for not being interested, what does this accomplish?
• What provisions will be in place to ensure other students' safety, students are forced to attend school when they do not want to be there?
• Make curriculum relevant. Spend dollars on Technology. Spend money helping parents to reconnect with their children (when that would be helpful).  Take 10 more looks at programs like KIDS (in Kodiak) and the ASSETS program.

Sincerely,

The AHEA Board 

Alaska Home Educators Alliance (AHEA) is an information group interested in the rights of parents to educate their children at home. We are interested in safety, performance, equity, and cost of education in Alaska. We believe you can make a difference.