PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> HR 3753/ S 1691-Homeschool NonDiscrimination Act 2005

HR 3753/ S 1691-Homeschool NonDiscrimination Act 2005

Monday, November 28, 2005

HR 3753/ S 1691-Homeschool NonDiscrimination Act 2005

********************ALERT*****************

THIS BILL HAS ALREADY BEEN AGREED TO IN THE SENATE!

H. R. 1815, THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006 has already been agreed to by the Senate. To read the entire bill for yourself go to:

http://thomas.loc.gov/ (then type into the box "HR 1815" and select the last (fifth and latest version) of HR 1815. The four earlier versions do not contain this important section related to the recruitment and enlistment of homeschooled students.

Hidden deep inside this 739-page bill is section 522:

RECRUITMENT AND ENLISTMENT OF HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS IN THE ARMED FORCES

(a) Policy on Recruitment and Enlistment-
(1) POLICY REQUIRED- The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a policy on the recruitment and enlistment of home schooled students in the Armed Forces.
(2) UNIFORMITY ACROSS THE ARMED FORCES- The Secretary shall ensure that the policy prescribed under paragraph (1) applies, to the extent practicable, uniformly across the Armed Forces.
(b) Elements- The policy under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An identification of a graduate of home schooling for purposes of recruitment and enlistment in the Armed Forces that is in accordance with the requirements described in subsection (c).
(2) Provision for the treatment of graduates of home schooling with no practical limit with regard to enlistment eligibility.
(3) An exemption of graduates of home schooling from the requirement for a secondary school diploma or an equivalent (GED) as a precondition for enlistment in the Armed Forces.
(c) Home School Graduates- In prescribing the policy, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a single set of criteria to be utilized by the Armed Forces in determining whether an individual is a graduate of home schooling. The Secretary concerned shall ensure compliance with education credential coding requirements.
(d) Secretary Concerned Defined- In this section, the term `Secretary concerned' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(9) of title 10, United States Code.

---end---

NOTE: There are no guidelines as to what kind of policy the Secretary [of Defense] will create. This leaves the door open to whatever the military creates with assistance from anyone. It will not be voted on by your representatives, but a subjective defining of "homeschooled graduate." You will have no say in what policy the DOD creates with regard to recruiting and enlisting homeschooled students.

NOTE: H.R. 1815 leaves it up to the Secretary of Defense to determine "a single set of criteria to be utilized by the Armed Forces in determining whether an individual is a graduate of home schooling." Do you want the Department of Defense defining what a homeschool GRADUATE is? They could require almost any criteria as a definition.

NOTE: HOW will the DOD "identify" home school graduates [section (b) (1)]? By registration? With who? Is this the law that will require a national registry of homeschooled students? Will homeschoolers be 'identified' by the federal government collecting state lists of registered homeschoolers? There appears to be nothing to prohibit a national registration of homeschooled students in HR 1815, indeed, it seems to call for it. Will it be necessary for homeschooled students to register with the DOD as young people now register with the Selective Service? Or some other appointed agency or organization affiliated with the DOD?

Will this action lead to organizations becoming - by law - the official accrediting agencies of homeschoolers? Will there be a federal registrar of homeschooled students?

If you believe this is just an 'end-run' around the opposition to H.R. 3753 and S. 1619, [the Homeschool Non-Discrimination Act] then contact your U. S. Representatives NOW and let them know you oppose section 522 of H.R. 1815, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal year 2006. Otherwise Section 522 will slip through hidden in this huge bill when Congress approves the Defense Authorization for fiscal year 2006.
posted by Publius, 10:27 AM | link | 0 comments |

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

HR 3753/ S 1691-Homeschool NonDiscrimination Act 2005

HR 3753/ S 1691-Homeschool NonDiscrimination Act 2005

and it's picked up a few new cosponsors of late:

COSPONSORS(71), BY DATE [order is left to right]:
Rep Boehner, John A. [OH-8] - 9/13/2005 Rep Aderholt, Robert B. [AL-4] - 9/13/2005
Rep Akin, W. Todd [MO-2] - 9/13/2005 Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] - 9/13/2005
Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] - 9/13/2005 Rep Brady, Kevin [TX-8] - 9/13/2005
Rep Burgess, Michael C. [TX-26] - 9/13/2005 Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] - 9/13/2005
Rep Chocola, Chris [IN-2] - 9/13/2005 Rep Davis, Jo Ann [VA-1] - 9/13/2005
Rep Doolittle, John T. [CA-4] - 9/13/2005 Rep Feeney, Tom [FL-24] - 9/13/2005
Rep Flake, Jeff [AZ-6] - 9/13/2005 Rep Foxx, Virginia [NC-5] - 9/13/2005
Rep Franks, Trent [AZ-2] - 9/13/2005 Rep Gingrey, Phil [GA-11] - 9/13/2005
Rep Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [VA-5] - 9/13/2005 Rep Green, Mark [WI-8] - 9/13/2005
Rep Hayes, Robin [NC-8] - 9/13/2005 Rep Hayworth, J. D. [AZ-5] - 9/13/2005
Rep Hoekstra, Peter [MI-2] - 9/13/2005 Rep Hostettler, John N. [IN-8] - 9/13/2005
Rep Hyde, Henry J. [IL-6] - 9/13/2005 Rep Inglis, Bob [SC-4] - 9/13/2005
Rep Istook, Ernest J., Jr. [OK-5] - 9/13/2005 Rep Johnson, Sam [TX-3] - 9/13/2005
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 9/13/2005 Rep Kennedy, Mark R. [MN-6] - 9/13/2005
Rep King, Steve [IA-5] - 9/13/2005 Rep LaHood, Ray [IL-18] - 9/13/2005
Rep McCaul, Michael T. [TX-10] - 9/13/2005 Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] - 9/13/2005
Rep Miller, Jeff [FL-1] - 9/13/2005 Rep Myrick, Sue [NC-9] - 9/13/2005
Rep Norwood, Charlie [GA-9] - 9/13/2005 Rep Nussle, Jim [IA-1] - 9/13/2005
Rep Otter, C. L. (Butch) [ID-1] - 9/13/2005 Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 9/13/2005
Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] - 9/13/2005 Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [PA-16] - 9/13/2005
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] - 9/13/2005 Rep Renzi, Rick [AZ-1] - 9/13/2005
Rep Rogers, Mike D. [AL-3] - 9/13/2005 Rep Ryun, Jim [KS-2] - 9/13/2005
Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19] - 9/13/2005 Rep Simpson, Michael K. [ID-2] - 9/13/2005
Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] - 9/13/2005 Rep Sullivan, John [OK-1] - 9/13/2005
Rep Tancredo, Thomas G. [CO-6] - 9/13/2005 Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] - 9/13/2005
Rep Tiahrt, Todd [KS-4] - 9/13/2005 Rep Wamp, Zach [TN-3] - 9/13/2005
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] - 9/13/2005 Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] - 9/14/2005
Rep Kline, John [MN-2] - 9/14/2005 Rep Lewis, Ron [KY-2] - 9/14/2005
Rep Neugebauer, Randy [TX-19] - 9/14/2005 Rep Turner, Michael R. [OH-3] - 9/14/2005
Rep Herger, Wally [CA-2] - 9/14/2005 Rep Beauprez, Bob [CO-7] - 9/22/2005
Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] - 9/22/2005 Rep Ney, Robert W. [OH-18] - 9/22/2005
Rep Marchant, Kenny [TX-24] - 9/22/2005 Rep Putnam, Adam H. [FL-12] - 10/25/2005
Rep Sodrel, Michael E. [IN-9] - 10/25/2005 Rep Poe, Ted [TX-2] - 10/28/2005
Rep Westmoreland, Lynn A. [GA-8] - 10/28/2005 Rep Sessions, Pete [TX-32] - 10/28/2005
Rep Pombo, Richard W. [CA-11] - 10/28/2005 Rep Davis, Geoff [KY-4] - 11/3/2005
Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] - 11/9/2005

posted by Publius, 6:40 PM | link | 0 comments |

HR 3753/ S 1691-Homeschool NonDiscrimination Act 2005

Update on H.R. 3753 as it continues to move through Congress:

ALL ACTIONS: (color indicates Senate actions)
9/13/2005:
Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
9/13/2005:
Referred to House Education and the Workforce
10/12/2005:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
10/12/2005:
Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.
10/12/2005:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
9/13/2005:
Referred to House Ways and Means
9/13/2005:
Referred to House Armed Services
9/20/2005:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
posted by Publius, 6:36 PM | link | 0 comments |

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Follow The Law-No Clarification Needed

It's noted HERE that there is no need for HSLDA's desire for clarification with federal legislation.
This particular post is regarding Section 4 of HR 3753/S 1691. Here's an excerpt focusing on a comment from Chris Klicka (HSLDA):

Interesting is that HSLDA said No Problem as well, back in January, 2003:


We are thankful for the revisions in the Handbook and the new "Dear Colleague" letter. We believe that this will clear the air and enable homeschoolers to easily gain admission to colleges based on the merit of their excellent academic programs and will also enable homeschoolers to freely obtain student financial assistance without any further unnecessary and illegal barriers.


And if it's illegal, what's the deal with fussing it up with more legal verbiage and "clarifications"? Just follow the law. Let's get rid of this invasive bill! HSLDA is demanding more government intervention via their legislation; particularly Section 10 along with HSLDA's financial gain (as laid out in part 5 above). This article from Washington University (St. Louis) about homeschoolers in college has a great quote from a homeschooler: Sharp feels that her application process did not differ much from that of her fellow college students.

"College applications were the same for me as for everyone else-a pain!" exclaimed Sharp.

Homeschoolers do NOT need special privileges. We stand on our own without special status.
posted by Publius, 10:35 AM | link | 2 comments |