7/18/08

Columbus Dispatch Blog

Jennifer Smith Richards

There have been several red alerts sent to Ohio homeschooling families this week by home education advocacy groups, including the Home School Legal Defense Association.

The message: The state is changing the homeschooling rules. Act now!

This was part of the e-mail from the HSLDA: “If Ohio homeschoolers do not act, they may face stricter homeschool regulations. … If enough people support the current regulations, we may be able to stop the revision process before it begins.”

The rules governing homeschooling in the state are up for a five-year review, which the Ohio Department of Education must conduct. There’s a comment period through August 8; comments can be left at the department’s web site.

So far, about 1,200 have been left, department spokeswoman Karla Warren says. Most are appealing to the state to leave the rules the way they are.

The red alert might not be necessary; Warren says there are no specific plans to make changes.