South Carolina has a new House bill [HB 3478] that concerns homeschoolers. Here’s an alert from SC’s Homeward Education Association. The HEA is one organization currently allowed as a “third option” oversight group via South Carolina homeschooling regulations:
On Tuesday, February 5th, Representatives Brannan, Anthony, Horne and Jefferson introduced H3478 in the SC House of Representatives. This bill would require ALL home schoolers to take state approved standardized tests, would require SCAIHS and all third option groups to report NAMES, not numbers, to the Department of Education each year and would eliminate ALL third option groups effective July 1, 2014. The bill is currently in the House Committee on Education & Public Works. We need homeschoolers to write, email or contact House Members on the Education and Public Works Committee and let them know our opposition to this bill. As with all communications, please be polite and respectful!
As explained on the Carolina Homeschooler site: Third Option homeschoolers are those who choose to register through an accountability association which operates under Section 59-65-47 of the SC Code of Laws. South Carolina homeschoolers may also check on the Carolina Homeschooler forum for more information.
One Representative, Jefferson, dropped his sponsorship for this bill 2 days after it was introduced. Here’s some media coverage about the bill sponsor’s apparent worries pertaining to the third legal option. From WYFF
Changes could be coming for South Carolina’s home-schoolers – Upstate legislator proposing new laws
Representative Doug Brannon said he’s proposing it because he’s noticed problems in the system from his work as a legislator and as a family court attorney.
“I’m not going to say there’s no accountability, but there’s very, very little accountability,” Brannon said.
I think Representative Brannon might mean he doesn’t see enough accountability to the public school agencies. It’s been proven there is plenty of accountability within homeschool families. There’s a huge difference in that clarification. Here’s WYFF video:
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