“I envision a world class educational system…” ~Governor Sarah Palin

July 9th & 10th Governor's Call-In/Write-In - Please Help!

Call In Handout

July 5, 2007

Dear Homeschool Supporters,

The Governor's vision was founded on the principles of safety, quality, social responsibility, parental involvement, and fiscal accountability. No other program meets these standards better than Alaska 's home education programs.

Alaska 's home education programs are the flagship programs for implementing this vision. No other program has more parental involvement, more safety, and provides a high quality education at the same fraction of the State cost.

It seems, to date, that the State Board of Education and Early Development (Board of EED) does not agree with that vision.

It was the Board of EED that limited access to funding for Music, Art & P.E. while insisting that P.E. is a required credit.

It was the Board of EED that implemented regulations preventing the use of family passes for parental instruction and practice even when it is more economical.

It was the Board of EED that approved regulations causing inequity between in-district and statewide programs in the use of allotment funds available for assessments (as well as music, art & P.E.).

It "is" the Board of EED that is more than quiet and unresponsive to the emails sent to them. The Board of EED continues to allow the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) to interpret funding restrictions related to use of privately-owned materials ...in the face of AS 14.07.050.

On July 4, 2007 , the Alaska Home Educators Alliance (AHEA) sent an email to Governor Palin explaining AHEA's concerns over the lack of action by the Board of EED and the DEED. (See letter.) Fair treatment to all of Alaska ’s public school students should include the parent teachers and children in statewide correspondence programs.

Governor Palin now has an opportunity to approve a new commissioner who can help to steer the Board towards her vision. She needs your words of encouragement! She needs to hear from you that homeschoolers want that change.

Please join us in asking the Governor to consider some incredible opportunities. Your voice is needed so that her staff will assign priority and bring our letters to her attention. Those who oppose our position have had an audience with her. Ask Governor Palin:

Please call 907-465-3500 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on July 9th or 10th. Your e-mail letters can be sent now to Governor@gov.state.ak.us. If you write, please copy your supporters listed below. If you call, please send us an email as well. Be sure to let us know what comments you receive.

It’s short notice and you’re busy homeschooling; yet, with your help, we can get the word out to homeschoolers across the state and have many calls and letters! For more information, check the AHEA website (www.AHEAnow.org). Look for talking points, planned teleconferences and more to be posted tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The AHEA Board

www.AHEAnow.org

CC: Supporters

Representative Mark Neuman - Rep_Mark_Neuman@legis.state.ak.us

Senator Fred Dyson - Senator_Fred_Dyson@legis.state.ak.us

AHEA: Alaska Home Educators Alliance - AHEA@AHEAnow.org