Email of the Day:
Can homeschoolers everywhere take classes at the local school, or is that just a WA thing?
Answer:
WA is one of a small handful of states that guarantees part time attendance and/or ancillary services to homeschoolers and private schoolers at the same level they would get as full time students in their local school. Some states forbid it. Some are silent on the subject, and leave it to the individual schools to accept or deny requests.
The NEA (National Education Association) has had a resolution against homeschooling since 1988, which predates (and influenced) the homeschool laws in many states (ours was one of the first, and predates the NEA Resolution). Here is the content of that resolution, in its current form:
B-83. Home Schooling
“The National Education Association believes that home schooling programs based on parental choice cannot provide the student with a comprehensive education experience. When home schooling occurs, students enrolled must meet all state curricular requirements, including the taking and passing of assessments to ensure adequate academic progress. Home schooling should be limited to the children of the immediate family, with all expenses being borne by the parents/guardians. Instruction should be by persons who are licensed by the appropriate state education licensure agency, and a curriculum approved by the state department of education should be used.
The Association also believes that home-schooled students should not participate in any extracurricular activities in the public schools.
The Association further believes that local public school systems should have the authority to determine grade placement and/or credits earned toward graduation for students entering or re-entering the public school setting from a home school setting. (1988, 2006)”
~Jen GS