“Illinois Homeschooling Registration Bill Tabled” plus 1 more |
| Illinois Homeschooling Registration Bill Tabled Posted: 17 Feb 2011 04:27 PM PST The sponsor of an Illinois bill that would require homeschooling families to register with the State Board of Education has tabled the legislation. Senator Edward Maloney (D-Chicago) tabled the bill on Thursday after intense opposition. Approximately 4,000 homeschoolers showed up at the Illinois capital building in Springfield on Tuesday, February 15 to attend an initial reading of Senate Bill 136. The bill would have required homeschoolers in the state to register with the State Board of Education but homeschooling families were against the forced registration. Maloney tabled the bill which essentially withdraws it, but it is uncertain if he will introduce another bill that will affect homeschoolers within the state. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association--a legal advocacy group--alerted members on Thursday that SB136 had been tabled and declared that "With the withdrawal of the bill, the battle is over, and freedom is Homeschoolers around the state bombarded their legislators with phone calls and emails opposing the bill. Initially, the wording of SB136 stated that it would require "the parents or legal guardians of children attending non-public schools, a defined term, or private or parochial schools to annually register their children with the State Board of Education, in conformance with procedures prescribed by the State Board of Education." The intent of the bill was aimed at homeschoolers specifically and Maloney initially planned to amend the language to specify homeschooled students. The Illinois capitol building was overwhelmed with visitors on Tuesday when the bill was read and debated. Attendees were Tweeting, including Curt Mercadante--a homeschooling dad from Morris, Illinois. Mercadante, though, Tweeted his concerns on Thursday that the issue of registration in Illinois is not dead even though SB136 has been tabled. Mercadante Tweeted in a reply to another Twitter follower that the tabling of SB136 "doesn't meant it's dead. He's (Senator Maloney) going to see 'other venues' for registration." Currently, the Illinois School Code requires that schooling is aimed at students between the ages of 7 and 17. In regard to homeschoolers, the law recognizes homeschools as private schools and dictates that private school students are to be "taught the branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public schools, and where the instruction of the child in the branches of education is in the English language;" This language allows homeschoolers great flexibility and autonomy in the state. Whether further legislation regarding homeschooling will be introduced by Maloney or another Senator or Representative in Illinois remains to be seen, but homeschoolers and advocacy groups within the state will be watching closely. As has already been shown by the massive grassroots effort among Illinois homeschoolers, legislation within the state will be watched closely by homeschooling families that are willing to speak out and make their voices heard. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Homeschooling Mom: President Should Address Special-Needs Children Posted: 19 Jan 2011 03:08 PM PST I'm a professional freelance Web content writer. My child, Ade (pronounced ah-DAY), is a twice-exceptional (gifted with special needs) 11-year-old boy. I began home-schooling him because of his gift and later discovered his challenges. Because I home-school my son, working a traditional job isn't feasible. Soon, I'll enroll Ade into a special-needs after-school program. His support, around $550 monthly (which will soon increase to $700), will allow me to continue home-schooling, writing and working part time. Our situation, while not unique, means we'd like to hear President Obama talk about some specific issues during his State of the Union address on Tuesday. Here are five: Education for our children My son was recently enrolled in a small school here in Chicago. However, due to his challenges and the staff's inexperience with children on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum, his needs could not be met within that school environment. It's not the first time, we've tried public school. I would like President Obama to require that all educators be trained on effectively integrating children with autism disorders into mainstream classrooms, as 1 in 150 children are now on the autism spectrum. Affordable housing In the United States, there is little, if any, affordable housing. Gentrification is displacing those who have lived in neighborhoods for years because they can't afford the housing that's being built for middle-income and upper-income Americans. The places that are affordable are crime and gang infested. I recently moved to Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. It's a nice area, but it has inflated housing prices. I would specifically like Obama to initiate laws that control the rent in Chicago and in major cities around the country. Employment for all I'm constantly hearing that employment is on the upswing and the economy is improving. Yet, the people I talk to, mainly single, non-white parents, are looking for work but can't find a job. Are jobs being created for those in the service and pink-collar sectors? Or are the jobs only for those with master's and professional degrees? Currently, I'm looking for work, and I am optimistic I'll find a part-time job soon. In 2011, I would like Obama to give incentives to employers who hire poor, low-wage earners, train them on the job and pay them a living wage. Quality child care Quality child care is needed for single parents, especially those who have children with special needs. It's difficult for working parents to focus on their job if they aren't confident their children are being taken care of properly. It took me a while to find the right program for my son. In his speech, I want Obama to define "quality" child care and to commence laws that will charge stiff fines and penalties to day cares that will not make reasonable accommodations for children with special needs, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Small-business programs All Americans wants to reach their potential and this includes single parents. The American Dream is achievable for them also. Perhaps, there will be a spouse or partner for them in the future, but if there is or if there is not, single parents want financial stability for their families. Opening a business that offers writing, editing, proofreading and transcribing services is one of my dreams. Loans will be necessary, yet I, like most single parents, do not have A-1 credit because of former life situations. Small loans, similar to micro loans that are issued in developing countries, could be issued as start-up money for single parents (male or female) who want to start small businesses. I would like the president to offer incentives and bonuses to individuals and businesses that offer small loans to single parents who are starting businesses. This is what's on my mind, issues that impact my life and the lives of many throughout the United States. I eagerly await President Obama's upcoming State of the Union address, hoping he addresses these topics. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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