February 21, 2008
Tennessee: Calls Needed to Stop Testing Bill
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:
We need your help now! Tennessee homeschoolers are facing the most serious threat to their freedom since the homeschool law was enacted
23 years ago.
House Bill 2795 would subject non-public school students, including homeschool students, to additional state testing. It would require them to take subject matter tests based upon state-approved textbooks.
It would also require them to pass the Tennessee comprehensive assessment program tests before receiving a high school diploma. These new testing requirements would also apply to students being taught at home through extension or satellite programs of church-related schools. Your calls to state representatives are needed to stop this dangerous legislation!
If House Bill 2795 passes, it will essentially mean the end of homeschooling in Tennessee. Parents deciding to teach their children at home would have to conform their curriculum to the material taught in public school in order for their children to be able to pass the state tests. The Tennessee Department of Education, not parents, would determine whether a student taught at home was eligible to receive a high school diploma.
Sponsored by Representative G.A. Hardaway (92nd District), this horrendous bill is now in the House Education Committee. It is scheduled to be heard by the Special Initiatives Subcommittee of the House Education Committee this coming Wednesday, February 27.
Representative Hardaway and members of the House Education Committee need to hear from you today!
Action Requested:
(1) Please call or write (both would be better) Representative G.A.
Hardaway and at least one member of the House Education Committee with this message:
Hardaway and at least one member of the House Education Committee with this message:
"Please oppose House Bill 2795, which would impose public school testing on non-public school students. This bill would effectively destroy non-public education in Tennessee by requiring private schools, church-related schools, and homeschools to adopt the public school curriculum for their instruction programs."
The contact information for Representative Hardaway and members of the House Education Committee is set forth below. Members of the Special Initiatives Subcommittee which will hear the bill on Wednesday are indicated by an asterisk.
If your last name begins with A-I, please call the following members:
If your last name begins with letters J-R, please call these members:
If your last name begins with letters S-Z, please call these members:
Mark Maddox
(615) 741-7847
rep.mark.maddox@legislature.state.tn.us
(615) 741-7847
rep.mark.maddox@legislature.state.tn.us
To find the name and contact information for your state representative, use HSLDA's Legislative Toolbox at http://capwiz.com/hslda/dbq/officials .
(2) Please forward this email to other homeschooling families who are not members of HSLDA and ask them to contact Representative Hardaway and a member of the House Education Committee as well.
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