If It Ain't Broke....

Ug. If it isn't one thing, it's another. I received the following alert from the Homeschool Legal Defense Association this morning:

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>From the HSLDA E-lert Service...
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February 4, 2009

Idaho--Legislator Contemplates Homeschool Restrictions

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

We have been receiving calls from Idaho members who have been
contacted by Representative Donna Boe. Rep. Boe told these members
that she is planning to introduce a bill in the Idaho Legislature to
require homeschools to be registered and be annually tested.

She told these members that according to the Idaho Constitution, it is
the state's responsibility to educate the children. She indicated that
she wants to know what homeschoolers think about this proposal.

To help her, homeschoolers may want to email her through the Idaho
legislature website at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=6074 or call
her at (208) 332 1038 and let her know whether you would support this
proposed bill. You may want to briefly share with her the benefits of
your homeschooling and your thankfulness for the current freedom you
have to teach your children in Idaho.

Thank you,

Chris Klicka
HSLDA Senior Counsel
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In response, I sent Rep. Boe the following email. Hopefully she actually *reads* these things:

Dear Representative Boe:

In reference to your proposal to register and test Idaho homeschooled students, I must vehemently protest against this.

We left Oregon and settled in Idaho six years ago after investigating Washington, Idaho, and Montana for a possible new home. We chose Idaho because of its homeschooling freedoms. The freedom permitted by the State of Idaho allows us to tailor our curriculum to our childrens' needs and abilities. This is a very valuable freedom indeed, and our children are thriving as a result.

I am acquainted with dozens of homescooling families in the area, and ALL are producing children of superior education. They do not need "testing" to prove it.

Contrary to popular thought, it is NOT the state's responsibility to educate our children. It is the parents' responsibility. Homeschooling families have taken that responsibility with the utmost seriousness. We do not need our freedom to educate our children curtailed and forced to conform with the requirements set by public schools.

I ask you to leave our current freedoms intact. DON'T FIX WHAT ISN'T BROKEN.

Thank you,
Patrice Lewis