Esther J. Cox, Alaska Board of EED Chair
7705 Highlander Drive
Anchorage, AK 99518

Dear Chair Cox:

There are close to 10,000 Alaskan students in public correspondence schools (over 7% of all students).  Homeschool parents take an active interest in their child's well-being educationally, physically, emotionally, and morally. As parents, we concentrate on the specific needs of each child through a tailored educational plan that is approved by the school district with which we partner. The plans are economically frugal and delivered with love and dedication.  Although students are taught in different environments, all students deserve equal access to state funded resources.

Through the answers on our pre-election survey, Governor Palin gave our goals of Safety, Performance, Equity, and Cost-efficiency her support; we seek yours as well.  On behalf of all public school students in Alaska, would you allow us an audience to share our ideas with you in these areas?  We are at your disposal to meet as individuals, as a group, or at a work-session.

Lynne Smith, in the Governor's office, indicated that the DEED has been invited to a work session at the next Board of EED meeting in September to explain their role in creating the 2002 and 2004 statewide correspondence school regulations and why they recommend legislative intervention to resolve issues of equity.  AHEA members and many other homeschooling families anticipate hearing their reasoning.  Because we feel it is crucial to also get parents' perspectives, our members in Anchorage and at various LIOs will stand by should you ask us to speak. We hope to be a part of the solution. Will you allow us to represent the 19,000 + parents during the work session?

On behalf of the Alaska Home Educators Alliance and Alaskan students, thank you for taking the time to consider these requests.

Appreciatively,

The AHEA Board

cc:           Shirley J. Holloway, Ph.D., First Vice Chair

                Patrick J. Shier, Second Vice Chair

                Richard I Mauer

                Sylvia J Reynolds

                Bunny Schaeffer

                Tim R Scott

                Lt. Col. Sonny Luu, Military Advisor

                Lindsay Birk, Student Advisor
                Lynn R. Smith, Special Staff Assistant to the Governor