State School Board Notices Homeschoolers - Update - June 11, 2007
 
AHEA has collected over 100 responses to the homeschool survey in less than one week! That's more than triple the number of emails to Senator Gary Stevens for SB14.   Please join us. Talk to your friends, instruction providers, and business acquaintances and ask them to fill out the short homeschool survey at www.AHEAnow.org.    The more responses we have to the survey, the more seriously homeschool issues will be taken!!
 
A big thank you to the many parents and children who rose early in the morning on Thursday, June 7, 2007 to represent homeschoolers at the State Board of EED (Education and Early Development) meeting in Anchorage and at their LIOs (Legislative Information Offices) in Fairbanks, the Kenai and Kodiak.  Thank you to families who wrote letters and copied AHEA. Thank you to the leaders who identified themselves in Fairbanks , Eagle River and Anchorage

Senator Dyson Testifies First…
Statewide Correspondence Memo & 2004 Regulations

Senator Dyson referred to "erroneous interpretations" in the Statewide Correspondence memo (substantiating the Department of EED's current requirements regarding privately-purchased curriculum use).  Senator Dyson made it clear that it is not new laws that the State Board of EED needs...rather correct implementation of the statute that exists.  He expressed concern about 2004 regulations that restricted funding needed for a student to complete credit for high school P.E. He offered to be on any task force that may be organized to look at the correct implementation of laws. To send a thank you to Senator Dyson please click here.

Over 40 parents and children were present across the state with some testifying to the ramifications of the 2004 regulations. They explained that the 15% cap on funding for music, art and P.E. which only pertains to statewide programs is unfair, and inequitable.  Parents requested that our concerns be addressed in the next meeting’s agenda and offered to be on a task force if one was considered.

In final comments towards the end of the board meeting, Commissioner Sampson and Chairman Mauer denied the parents requests and stated that the solution is legislative. It was stated that "they" would work with the legislature for resolution.
 
Board member, Pat Shier, championed their request and recommended that the Board of EED be responsive to the parents who had organized and who were there presenting that morning.  He stated, “It would be a mistake to refrain from taking the leadership role in this issue prior to the convening of the State legislature in 2008.”  He offered to lead a task force to study the issue if the board would recommend one.  This issue must be brought to light.

Cox replaces Mauer - Sampson Takes New Position

The Board of EED has a new Chair person, Esther Cox. 

On June 8, 2007, Governor Sarah Palin accepted the resignation of Education & Early Development Commissioner, Roger Sampson, and offered her congratulations on the acceptance of his new position as President of Education Commission of the States.

We will be contacting Governor Sarah Palin to remind her about her campaign promises to Homeschoolers and request that she fill the Commissioner's position with an individual who is committed to fair and equitable choices for all parents and students, including Homeschoolers.

Homeschoolers Take Action!

We anticipate a Governor’s Write-In Campaign next week. For now moving towards a solution is as easy as 1, 2, 3.  

1. Fill out the Homeschool Survey link and share with your supportive family, friends, business acquaintances, and instruction providers.  The survey is linked to the front page of www.AHEAnow.org.
2. Save the date for the next State Board of EED meeting, September 21, 2007. Plan to attend the Anchorage Meeting or teleconference from your local Legislative Information Office (LIO).
3. Volunteer to help with efforts in your community. Contact AHEA via email AHEA@AHEAnow.org

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