School called me today. Not accepting letter I'm in Texas

wow! I wouldn't answer the phone any more. I would call someone from HSLDA and get on the horn. I think they are just trying to scare you. Keep doing what you doing, and they can't do nothing to you. some people need to get a life.

 

I've never had my kids in public school, so I've personally never had to deal with regulation on any level.

However, your husband is right that funding is tied to a head count. The more kids you have enrolled, the more money you get.

But, each district also gets different amounts anyway, so it's all a bit skewed.

 

Funding also goes by test scores. Our district BEGS homeschoolers to bring their students in for standardized testing.. because the scores are generally low in this district, but the scores of homeschoolers are generally higher... which they hope will bring in more money for them... when the scores are submitted to the state from each district, the state doesn't have a clue how many of those scores are from homeschoolers. That is why we choose not to test with the district and test on our own instead.

 

In California, there are four options for homeschooling and operating as a private school is one of them. However, we are not off the state's radar since we are required to file a yearly affidavit that requires basic information about the school and students.

Still, it is easy enough.

 

For the OP, I agree, you should contact HSLDA. They sometimes help non-members if their rights are being wronged! LOL

 

Thanks everyone. I think I will not go do it. The only real problem is I still have two kids there so I have to answer the phone when they call. The two kids wanted to finish out the year. I really need to get my work figured out still. They are okay with me bringing one kids when I go in but I don't think they would let me bring all of them. Hopefully I will be working form home soon so it should no longer be an issue by the time summer is over. Thanks for the advice.

 

THis sounds like a classic trick-if they threaten you, you'll show up and they can talk you into keeping your kid there (because they lose alot of $$ with each kid.)

The principal may just want to talk to you-to be in touch (some hsing famlies only do it for a short time and put their kid backin ps).

Oh, and your kid has to miss like 18 days straight before truancy becomes an issue....how long do they think that letter will take to get there?!! Ha! I got truancy letters....I filed them. Then I called the state (the # was on the letter from the school)and let them know I had filed with the school and my children were being homeeducated (this was precautionary.) The woman was very sweet, it took 5 minuites and I felt I had covered my rear end.

You have a great attitude! Keep up the positive outlook!!!!!

 

under absolutely no circumstances should you go up to the school! you have done your part and this person is uninformed on the law. there are no papers at that school for you to fill out and that principle does not need to meet with you. I personally never ran into this in Tx but was warned that it could happen. texas is the easiest state to hs in and in my district I was well supported by the staff when I made my intentions clear to them. good luck in your journey!

 

I know I'm swimming against the stream here, but the OP has other children at the school. There's no point in being aggressive about this and ticking people off, because that could come back to bite you. Being pleasant and cooperative will do nothing but help. Why raise someone's hackles unnecessarily when you'll have to deal with them all the time on other matters? Knowing your rights is one thing, but maintaining friendly relations is just as important in this case. A smile and a friendly manner are often the grease that keeps the wheels turning.

 

When we took our child out we went to school and gave them the letter and our legal papers also. That was all. They gave us her permanent records from public school and told us to go to the door of her class and the teacher would give us the items from her desk. We did just that. No problems at all.

 

I agree with Steve on this one. In our state we are highly regulated, though when we pulled our oldest, the district did not have the right to ask to see us nor to see my diploma. We went in willingly and talked to the superintendant and I did show him my diploma. I saw no point in rocking the boat, esp since I didn't know if my kid(s) would ever be returning to the district.. funny thing happened, Garrett is now back in PS in this district.

I just made sure I was educated in our laws, was somewhat prepared to ask any question thrown at us in an intelligent way and firmly stood my ground that we were bringing Garrett home. The super of course tried to hint that the district was great (ha big joke.. it's NOT) and that they would offer a stellar education for our children. We poliltely said that we weren't closed to the idea in the future, but we were sure that homeschooling was right for us at that time.

How's it going Jenn?

 

That varies by state too, and it depends on how the dept. of education regulates private schools. In TX, the state has NO regulation over private schools period, and so that standard applies to homeschools also.

TX is one of if not THE easiest state to homeschool in, legally.

While I don't disagree that it might be better to not tick off the ps if there are other kids still attending there, I do think this is a matter of them not knowing the law. I see no harm in making sure they have that information, if only to prevent further intrusion - which I see as MORE likely because of other students still at the school. If they know they aren't allowed to probe BY LAW, then chances are they'll leave it alone and not want to mess with it again ever.


They shouldn't have asked in the first place, and that is the point.

 

I did get the cmrr card back today saying they got the letter on Tuesday. I have not heard anything else from them so I think I will just wait and see if I hear back from them.

 

Hopefully they leave you alone now.

 

You should never say "withdrawing"; say "transferring". You're transferring your child to a private school.

 

Wow I was just reading over this thread. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. Sounds like many of the other TX homeschoolers have well advised you. It's a shame when a school official starts to make up their own rules.

We are in NV and our only requirement ever is one letter of intent at the beginning of our homeschool career to the local school district.

I hope it all works out for you and that they will graciously see the error of their demands and leave you alone.

 

I did not send the school a letter when I pulled my children out of school. I just went up to the school and took them out and informed the school that I would be home educating from that point on. Never had a problem. That was over 17 years ago. I did my first 12 years of home educating in Texas.

 

As far as I know, they don't have the right not to accept your letter. Texas has very little in the way of rules for homeschoolers, and then they don't even check on the compliance of those rules as far as I know. You have to teach English, spelling, math and good citizenship (there may be one other thing). There are no minimum hours or days. So you can go as fast or slow as you want.