Alaska Home Educators Alliance

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June 2007, Board Meeting Talking Points

Talking Points for the June 7th Alaska State Board of EED Meeting

• Parity in access to funding for Music, Art & P.E. Funding

Since 2004, only statewide programs suffer regulatory limitations in funding for Music, Art and P.E. Explain how the loss in funding since 2004 affects your child’s educational opportunities

" Dear Chairman Mauer and members of the Board of EED:
Previous to 2004 my child was able to……. Since 2004, my child must choose art or music or P.E."

• Separation of P.E. from the allotment limits because P.E. is a required credit

There is an obesity epidemic that threatens children in the U.S. Since P.E. is a required subject and art and music are not, P.E. $$’s should be separated.

• Ability for one parent to provide instruction and to use family passes for instruction and practice when it is more economical.

Currently, the statewide programs cannot pay for a family pass to a facility, even when it is the most cost efficient use of the child's allotment! Explain how this creates a hardship in stretching the allotted dollars for Music, Art and P.E.

Get real numbers (from the health clubs) of the difference between a family pass use and instruction with a pass (paying for just the children enrolled). We do not want to leave the door open for abuse…just to take advantage of the cost savings when it is available

Explain that you are well qualified to instruct the child…and why. Explain the cost savings if you instruct the child using a family pass vs. paying for an instructor to teach what you already know.

• The 2004 regulations are unfair.

The regulations made have made it easier to control some aspect of perceived abuse….but it made matters worse for my child.

It is harming my ability to deliver a first class education to my child.

It is discriminatory because of the difference between statewide and in-district.

• Elimination of funding restrictions related to use of privately-owned materials

Currently, the Department of Education requires that homeschoolers in statewide programs use "State fundable" materials in at least four courses in order for the district to be funded (which limits the districts enrollment funding for child) and access to resource $$’s that can be spent on the child.

State that you are not asking for the state to purchase your curriculum. This will establish you as a moderate. Explain how your privately-purchased curriculum provides high testing scores…for your child….Why would you use a different curriculum if this one is working?
Explain that when you talk to certified teacher or district staff member that you are discussing standards. – period! Explain your desire to have your child’s samples should be treated as any other samples of a child’s work with the first amendment right to respect of beliefs.
“I’m a homeschool parent...concerned about the regulation perception instituted by the DEED in ...and the attorney generals previous opinion.
“Here is what I think should be addressed……”
“I would look forward to the board taking a proactive position…”
- homeschooling is cost effective,
- it is safe
In-District programs do not have to abide by this interpretation of regulations.

• Equity in the ability to access allotment funds for assessments.

The in-district programs are able to pay for assessments that will help the parents meet their child's educational needs (Iowa Basic and Learning Styles) while the statewide programs are restricted by the 2004 regulation. Explain if this is a hardship…or explain why it does not make sense for there to be inequity….except to destroy competition.