Information Regarding HB 1924
Update on HB1924 Alert: Lowering School Age to Six
This notice provides additional information on HB1924 which triggered a recent statewide alert by Howard Richman, executive director of PHAA and owner of PA Homeschoolers, and which has resulted in some confusion within the homeschool community.
Other home educators had been investigating HB1924 prior to this alert to obtain all the facts before making a public statement, instead of hastily issuing a widespread communication and possibly causing panic and misdirected action among busy homeschool families.
Based upon information obtained from discussions with both the PA House of Representatives and Senate, including their respective education committees, the following report is presented.
GOOD NEWS: HB1924 AN UNLIKELY THREAT:
We are very happy to report that there is no concerted movement within the legislature at this time to lower the compulsory school age (CSA). According to the Senate Education Committee, "The Senate has no intentions of acting on this bill or this issue." The only parts of this bill that the Senate wanted have been dealt with already in other legislation. Lowering CSA is not an issue that the Senate is interested in.
BAD NEWS: LOWERING CSA STILL AN ISSUE:
Even though the legislators are not working to lower CSA at this time, this issue recently has been publicly embraced by Gov. Mark Schweiker as a result of the report issued by the Governor's Task Force on Early Childhood Care and Education on October 15, 2002. (See links below.) This report on "improving school-readiness" recommended lowering CSA to six. Even though it was only a minor detail in the 32-page report (see page 25 of report), it was highlighted as a major point in the governor's press release, giving it much publicity.
Both the governor and the task force have stated that the recommendations are meant to be used by Schweiker's successor. However, there is always the possibility that Schweiker could try to pressure the legislature to lower CSA before this session ends. Because the report was only released two weeks ago, our legislative contacts have not heard yet if the governor might attempt this. But since it is a possibility, homeschoolers (who would be most affected by this change) need to assess if and/or how they want to respond.
For those who oppose such a change, we have been advised that it would be beneficial to contact those listed at the end of this notice -- not as an all-out alert, but as a precautionary measure in case the governor moves on this before leaving office. Before doing so, you might want to visit the following websites to become more informed on the issues:
Governor's press release:
http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?a=11&q=431651
HSLDA Reports on Compulsory Attendance Issues:
http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/Issues/C/Compulsory_Attendance.asp
Task Force report:
http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=431623
It is advised that all families read this report, since it contains some recommendations that many will find troubling in addition to lowering CSA.
Please let us know of any additional information that you learn about this issue so we can keep home schoolers updated. With similar sentiments as were expressed by Howard Richman, it is our sincere hope that the homeschool community can work together on these issues despite any differences on other legislation affecting homeschooling in our state.
Sincerely,
Wendy Bush, Adams County
Janine Giambalvo, York County
Martin and Mary Hudzinski, Franklin County
David and Rachel Jones, Mifflin County
Larry and Ellen Kramer, Lebanon County
Karen Leventry, Cambria County
Kathy McKelvey, Lancaster County
Mary McMonagle, Centre County
Marilyn Montlick, Centre County
Mark and Maryalice Newborn, Westmoreland County
Kristen Seitz, Lancaster County
Norma Young, Bucks County
Copyright 2002.
This message may be forwarded only in its entirety.
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Contact:
Gov. Mark Schweiker: 717-787-2500
Secretary of Education Charles B. Zogby: (717) 787-5820
Lt. Gov. Robert Jubelirer: rjubelir@pasen.gov
717-787-5490 (Harrisburg )
814-942-5495 (district office)
House Leader John Perzel: jmp@pahousegop.com
717-787-2016 (Harrisburg office)
215-331-2600 (district office)
Senate Leader David Brightbill: dbrightb@pasen.gov
717-787-5708 (Harrisburg)
717-274-6735 (district office)
Senate Education Committee Chairman James Rhoades: jrhoades@pasen.gov
717-787-2637 (Harrisburg)
717-773-0891 (district office)
House Education Committee Chairman Jess Stairs: jstairs@pahousegop.com
717-783-9311 (Harrisburg)
724-423-5141 (district office)
It is also advised that you contact your representative and senator, especially if they are on the House or Senate Education Committee, so they can be aware of this potential language.