AFHE Statement re: ASBA's call for increased regulation for home schoolers

An article appeared in the June 21st East Valley Tribune regarding homeschooling entitled "District finds regulations for home-schoolers lacking"

The Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA), an organization comprised of representatives of school districts throughout the state, is having their annual meeting and one elementary district in Oracle, Arizona is proposing that the ASBA try to advance legislation next year that would regulate homeschools. The degree or manner of regulation is not mentioned, but the sentiment from statements made implies that the Oracle district representatives feel the status quo is unacceptable and should be changed.

First and foremost, we want you to remember that the current law in Arizona imposes no regulations on homeschools. We fought this battle and won over ten years ago. Homeschoolers need not be defensive when organizations like this one vent their opinion because words alone do not change laws. We command the high ground here, so to enter into a debate with the ASBA by calling them or writing letters to the editor only gives them the public attention that they want. If and when they bring legislation to the table with specific language and not vague rumblings we will respond accordingly.

AFHE will watch this situation closely and apprise our members of any action that we feel is necessary to preserve our freedoms. As in the past, we have worked to have a unified, statewide, voice on legal issues and therefore it is imperative that we maintain open lines of communication within the homeschooling community. Though recent years have not seen much action legislatively, AFHE trusts that should circumstances change homeschoolers will be ready to fight again.