Updated Events and Opportunities for the
KC Homeschooling Community
Check out our constantly updated Events and Opportunities pages!
For constantly updated new projects and websites to try out, go to our "Activities" section under the Resources page.
For those who would like to buy and sell items (including curricula), please check out our "For Sale/Wanted to Buy" section under the Resources page!
Update on the California Homeschooling Case "In re Rachel L."
By now, I’m assuming that most of you have heard about a case in California entitled In re Rachel L., and its implications on homeschooling. Just to make sure that we all have a clear understanding of the status of that case now, you will be pleased to know that the decision has been vacated because the Court of Appeals that initially rendered the decision has granted a motion to reconsider its opinion. This is a very rare occurrence and it gives hope to the homeschoolers and homeschool advocates in California.
However, we don’t know if the Appellate Court will reverse its own decision or not. We do believe that the decision couldn’t come out any worse, and so we have the potential of getting a better decision from the Court of Appeals. We believe it became obvious to the Court of Appeals, after they read the briefs requesting a rehearing, that the homeschool family was not adequately represented in terms of the homeschool issue and that the Court’s decision had a much greater impact than they realized it would have on the homeschool community.
The Court has set up a briefing schedule which will culminate in oral arguments sometime in June, and perhaps a decision rendered several months thereafter. The Court has specifically requested that certain organizations from the public school side file “friend of the court” briefs and has encouraged others to do so as well.
The parties in the case, which are the Department of Social Services, represented by the county counsel, the minor children represented by a child’s rights advocacy organization, and the family, represented by the Alliance Defense Fund and the U.S. Justice Foundation, have until April 28 to file their briefs. Any organization wishing to file a friend of the court brief has until May 19 to file their briefs, and three parties have until June 6 to file their response to the other briefs.
HSLDA is assisting the family’s attorneys with their brief and also is coordinating the various groups that are interested in filing friend of the court briefs, and will be filing a brief on behalf of our members and other homeschool organizations addressing both the legal issues in the case as well as the benefits of homeschooling in general.
This is a very critical case, perhaps the most critical case in homeschool history. Therefore, this is a matter that requires much prayer and supplication and we ask for wisdom for all those that are interceding on behalf of the family and homeschooling in California, as well as wisdom for the three appellate judges who will ultimately decide the case.
An encouraging note is that all the parties and various interested groups are working well together with one goal in mind: to maintain the current status of homeschooling in California under the private school exemption. As the case progresses, we will keep you up-to-date and trust that you will share this information with your groups as well.
—J. Michael Smith,
HSLDA President
Please Act to Preserve Homeschooling Freedom in CA !
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Chris Klicka <Chris@hslda.org>
To: Chris Klicka <Chris@hslda.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 9, 2008 6:33:32 PM
Subject: Sign Petition to Depublish California Case
Please Sign this Petition to Support Homeschool Freedom in California. We have 153,121 signatures so far!
As you know, California Court of Appeals recently decided that homeschooling is illegal in California unless a parent is a certified teacher.
The case arose in a confidential juvenile court proceeding. The family was represented by court-appointed attorneys and HSLDA did not become aware of the case until the Court of Appeal case was published on February 28, 2008.
The Court could have restricted its decision to the facts before it, but instead, it issued a broad ruling that effectively outlaws home education in California. The Court also certified its decision for publication, which means that the decision can now be cited as legal authority by all other courts in California.
HSLDA will be formally petitioning the California Supreme Court to depublish the opinion. We would like to show that many other people, both in California and across the country, care deeply about homeschool freedom in California.
Keep homeschooling free in California by petitioning the Supreme Court of California to "depublish" the opinion. If the opinion is "depublished" then it cannot be used by other California courts and this threat to homeschool freedom will be neutralized for other California homeschoolers.
Please show your support for this effort by signing the petition by going to:
https://www2.hslda.org/Registrations/DepublishingCaliforniaCourtDecision/
Johnson County Community College Clarifies Requirements for Homeschooled Graduates Applying for Financial Aid
The MPE Office received many calls about this issue. After discussions and exchange of relevant materials with Julie Cooper, the Director of Financial Aid at JCCC, we received a copy of the letter that Julie recently sent clarifying requirements for homeschooled graduates applying for Financial Aid at JCCC. Here is an excerpt:
“There has been much confusion and some overreaction the past few weeks over what requirements must be made for private and homeschooled students wanting to attend a Kansas post-secondary institution and receive federal financial aid. I say overreaction because the conditions for receiving federal student aid and even admission to our institution has been the same for many years but suddenly we’re receiving information from our state Admissions officers and the Board of Regents that things must change. Once the dust had settled and some additional research had been done we’ve discovered we really have been doing things appropriately and it requires just some gentle tweaking.
We sent a letter a few weeks ago letting families and students know that there were requirements they must meet to attend JCCC and receive federal financial aid. It alarmed some, frightened others and angered many, it was not intended to do any of that. We had hoped to be proactive and let families and students know what we were told and our anticipated actions.
According to the materials I’ve found and through the gracious help … from the Midwest Parent Educators we now have a much better picture of what the state and the feds are outlining and expecting from all of us. I admit it gets a little confusing weeding through the legalese but basically this is what it all says.
Johnson County Community College is an open-admission institution and therefore not bound by the rulings of our four-year Regent’s state universities with qualified admissions. We don’t have the 10% exception window, but we don’t need it either. Anyone can attend JCCC. To be a “regular” student you may be requested to provide your high school diploma or its equivalent, but you are asked on the application to “self-certify” that you actually have one. If you are “degree seeking” you are asked to take the COMPASS test to assist in placing you in the appropriate level for the classes you wish to take or you may provide evidence of your ACT scores. If you receive a 19+ in English and a 26+ in Math or about 600 SAT scores and you provide documentation you won’t need to take the COMPASS test. Our earlier letter stated that all students take the COMPASS and that we didn’t think we could accept the ACT scores but we have determined that now we can accept either one, COMPASS scores or the ACT scores that JCCC Admission’s office accepts for admissions. If your student has already successfully completed 24 college credit courses with a C or better, then neither the COMPASS nor ACT is needed for financial aid.
Please keep in mind that a student must still meet the basic federal requirements for financial aid but we have determined that it is not necessary to go beyond what the Admissions Office requires for admission.
In summary, we expect that a student will “self-certify” on their Admissions application that they have a high school diploma and if requested be able to provide a document certifying their graduation from high school and transcripts. That a student will either take the COMPASS test as a degree- seeking student or submit proof of the appropriate ACT or SAT scores. Once all of this is accomplished all that is left are the usual “hoops” to jump through for financial aid.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call our office, 913.469.3840.”
Here are excerpts from CHECK's October and November newsletters, along with letters from the six Regent Universities in KS.
CHECK News University Dept of Admission letters
Join the MPE Community Blog!
From Todd Kangas, MPE President:
"One of the areas that the MPE board focuses on is finding methods of adding value to MPE members. At our most recent board meeting there was an agenda item suggested by one of the MPE families. They suggested creating an MPE members only community blog. Now for some of us less technologically savvy homeschoolers, generally the older ones, a blog is a virtual real time internet community, where you can post and answer questions, announce events, and seek counsel from other MPE members.
Here is how Wikipedia (an online encyclopedia) defines BLOG: A blog is a website where entries are written in chronological order and commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. “Blog” can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog. Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject such as food, politics, or local news; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (artlog), photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting) and are part of a wider network of social media. Micro-blogging is another type of blogging which consists of blogs with very short posts.
As of September 2007, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 106 million blogs. A quick poll of board members showed that 3 people have been on a blog, 2 somewhat regularly. After being educated, we saw this as a value to some of our members. Probably those of you who know what Facebook is will gravitate to this quickly! This blog will be launching immediately.
Please email the MPE office at
if you would like to participate in the MPE community blog. We will need your email address so that the invitation to join the blog can be sent to you.
Additionally, one of the comments we had was that some of the most experienced homeschoolers might not utilize a tool like this. If you are an experienced homeschooler and willing to read and answer questions like:
- I’m looking for a spelling curriculum that works well with younger children. Has anyone had good experience with Spalding?
- How do I occupy my 3 year old while I’m homeschooling an older sibling?
- Which math curriculum will help my 5th grade son who seems advanced for his age?
- Have you tried 30 day cooking and did it save you time?
- Is there a cluster group with support for families with special needs children?
please consider joining the MPE community blog. Many of you have information and insights that would greatly benefit and help others."
The MPE Office has Moved!
MPE is moving the office/library on October 1,2007 to a new, larger location about 3 minutes from the 95th Street exit at I-35. The MPE board believes that this situation will better serve the needs of our members. We are locating to the lower level of Providence Community Church at 10113 Lenexa Drive; Lenexa, KS 66215 (formerly Amos Family Funeral Home). Enter at the back of the building to get to the office. There will be signs providing directions on site. The library will have more room to browse and tables to sit around to review materials.
Receive "The Parent Educator" Newsletter by Email!
From Todd Kangas, MPE President:
"The MPE Board would like to ask you to receive the MPE newsletter via email. This has two benefits, one for you and another for MPE. The benefit to you our member is receipt of the newsletter sooner. The benefit to MPE is a significant cost savings.
One of the reasons we are considering this is due to a possible office relocation. We are considering a couple of properties very near I-35 and close to exits off of either 75th Street or 95th Street. We believe a larger location with better accessibility will make the library far more valuable, plus we are looking to hold small support group meetings at our new facility. We are exploring cost savings measures to afford a higher rent. I promised my wife I would print her newsletter off at home and put it in the mailbox if that would help her better accept this idea.
If you are willing to help MPE in this way, please email your permission to the office along with your name and the email address that you want the newsletters sent to. Printing and mailing are one of our highest expenses. Please consider helping in this way."
Affordable Accredited Colleges: An Unconventional Guide
Blessing and Performance Opportunity at Sunrise Assisted Living Center, Lenexa, KS - monthly
"Homeschooler Warns: Don't be Fooled by Charter Schools!"
Walden Media Announces Homeschool Outreach Initiative
Lost Items from the 2007 MPE Conference
Several items remain in the "Lost and Found" box at the MPE conference. Please call the office at 913-397-9506 for details.
MPE Draws Attention of US Senator
Go to our About Us page to read it for yourself!
Local E-Schools
The MPE Office has received several phone calls regarding local e-schools. The HSLDA position on charter schools also applies to these e-schools. Please see the Charter Schools page for more information.
