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Given the recent change in the Congress and the White House, it is highly likely that this Treaty is in the process of emerging. Protect your homeschooling rights. . . Feburary 2009 Updated 9/09 ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! You must act IMMEDATELY to educate your US Senators and ask them to oppose the ratification of the UNCRC.  Urge your friends in other states to call and fax their US Senators http://www.senate.gov/ Given the recent change in the Congress and the White House, it is highly likely that this Treaty is in the process of emerging.  Sen. Boxer has asked the State Department to complete its review and present this Treaty for ratification. Globalists, like former Vice President Al Gore, are advocating that children question their parents’ conventional wisdom http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2009/20090204144819.aspx .  Parental rights are certainly under attack and this Treaty will set children against parents. Once this Treaty is signed, the United States will obligate itself to pass laws to comply with new standards and guidelines for children set by the United Nations.  For example, the latest guidelines for sex education curriculum are spelled out in the UNESCO International Guidelines On Sexuality Education.   Read the document for yourself and decide if you want the UN setting the standards for mandatory sex education in the United States http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001832/183281e.pdf   The problem with the Treaty is that we, the people, lose control of our own laws concerning children and put our laws in the hands of international experts elected by the UN. Synopsis of “The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child” Treaty and its Potential Harm The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) will severely impact the rights of parents and the power of the United States Constitution.  If the UNCRC is ratified, it will become the Supreme Law of the Land along with the US Constitution and federal laws. State and federal judges will be interpreting cases in light of this international law.  Judges will be required to determine what is in the “best interest” of the child, rather than parents. At first glance, the Treaty’s planned effect may appear benign or even attractive.  In fact, most of the good standards are already laws in our country or states.  Since the United States already has laws that provide for the protection and well-being of our children, we do not need the United Nations overseeing the rights of our children and reviewing our laws. The problem with signing any treaty is that it becomes mandatory in the United States because the US Constitution makes all treaties mandatory Supreme Law of the Land, whereas UN Treaties are voluntary in every other country.  This Treaty may be found on the United Nations website at https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Professionalinterest/crc.pdf Ask your Senators to vote “NO”  for the following reasons:1.The U.S. Constitution Supremacy Clause makes the Treaty the Supreme Law of the Land. Article VI, Clause 2 of the US Constitution reads: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding. [Emphasis added.] Therefore, this treaty usurps both State and Federal authority to control the destiny of our own children.  The United Nation NGO will evaluate our laws and tell the US where we need to improve in order to comply with our obligations under the UNCRC. Without a doubt, if the United States ratifies the UNCRC, additional US federal and state laws will have to be passed to further protect perceived children’s rights over their parent’s right to make critical life-shaping decisions on their behalf. 2.It is a legally binding instrument. Direct Quote taken from UNICEF http://www.unicef.org/crc/index.html The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights”  The Convention protects children’s rights by setting standards in health care; education; and legal, civil and social services. By agreeing to undertake the obligations of the Convention (by ratifying or acceding to it), national governments have committed themselves to protecting and ensuring children’s rights and they have agreed to hold themselves accountable for this commitment before the international community. States parties to the Convention are obliged to develop and undertake all actions and policies in the light of the “best interests of the child. The United States has not ratified the UNCRC, but has ratified two voluntary Optional Protocols. The Optional Protocols provide more detail and expand obligations beyond those in the UNCRC.  Presently, individual States must independently choose whether to be bound by a protocol. http://www.unicef.org/crc/index.html3. The Standards will be used for legal redress in an international court: “The standards can also be used for legal redress when violations are filed in regional human rights courts such as the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Costa Rica or the European Commission for Human Rights.”   4.Compliance with the Treaty will be monitored by a committee of experts from other nations, sitting in Geneva.  This 18 member non-governmental organization (NGOs) Committee, elected by the members of the UN, will have the authority to issue official interpretations of the treaty which are entitled to binding weight in American courts and legislatures.  This effectively transfers ultimate authority for all US policies on children to this foreign committee. This Convention is the only international human rights treaty that expressly gives non-governmental organizations a role in monitoring its implementation, under Article 45a, through visits to the countries by the Committee. “The standards (UNCRC) are used as benchmarks in which progress can be assessed.  Individual States will also be required to periodically report to the United Nations on the status of children’s rights.”5.US National sovereignty will be compromised.  This Treaty will force the United States to conform to the laws and policies of the global community.  The international community will be reviewing the laws of the United States.  Progress reports to the Committee will be required within two years of signing the Convention and every five years thereafter. View the Report that must be submitted http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/CRC.C.5.En?OpenDocument “Having ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UK Government is obliged to strive to ensure that children have the highest attainable standards of health and access to health services. In 2008, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child urged the UK Government to intensify its efforts to provide young people with appropriate sexual health services.” Also read the new UNESCO educational guidelines: International Guidelines on Sexuality Education, especially those for children ages 5 -8.  These will be required curriculum for preschool children in countries who have ratified the UNCRC. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001832/183281e.pdf6.Individuals will have no voice.  The U.S. has only one seat in the United Nations and may not have a seat on the NGO Committee which provides reports to the General Assembly.  It is an elected seat.  Given the current international climate, it is common knowledge that the U.S. is no longer embraced by the majority of nations around the world.  Only designated “experts” will be permitted to address the UN Committee. Individual concerned US citizens and enlightened congressmen will have no right to be heard after the Treaty is ratified. 7.There is no need for the US to sign this Treaty.  The US has already signed human rights treaties which protect the rights of people of all ages. The CRC may empower children over their parents during their formative years. The United States already has laws sufficient to protect the health, safety and welfare of our own children.  The United States does not need international standards to be enforced against its own people. Moreover, as the greatest protector and beacon for civil liberties and freedoms in the world, the U.S. certainly should not grant authority to the United Nations over U.S. policy, as well as state and federal laws Here are a few important questions to ask yourself and your Senators after you read the UNCRC. Who will decide what is in the “best interest of the child”? What will the age of majority be in matters pertaining to: “legal or medical counseling without parental consent, end of compulsory education, sexual consent, and consumption of alcohol or other controlled substances?” Will we have to pay for our children to challenge our authority in court? Will home education and private schools be illegal or heavily regulated and supervised since it limits a child’s right of association? What will happen to parents when rebellious children simply complain to authorities about decisions their parents have made? Will parents be able to determine what type of art, media and images a child can view, what activities they can participate in and where they can go? What penalties can be imposed in “matters that are of interest to monitoring bodies under various international human rights instruments, such as the Treaty on Human Rights?” Can the standards set forth in the UNCRC be used against parents in an international court? – Action must be taken now by every concerned parent in the US. – Call your Senators today.  http://www.senate.gov/  – Ask them to vote “NO” when the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is brought up for ratification in the US Senate. Spread this document to everyone you know. The sovereignty of the United States and our parental rights are at stake.   It all depends on you.

Many of you have followed his homeschooling career and have heard his mom, Pam, speak at the HERI Conference in Jacksonville. To that end, many of you have asked about the ESPN special which aired and detailed their family’s use of the Craig Dickinson Act and how it allowed Tim to play high school sports Please find below the information on how to order a copy of the ESPN video. Also, we have attached an article from the Jacksonville Times Union which gives some history about what was entailed in earning homeschoolers the right to participate in extra-curricular activities. Originally created Sunday, January 1, 2006 She fought the law, and Tebow won Without Dickinson Act, record-setting QB never would have played football at Nease. By CHASE GOODBREAD, The Times-Union Brenda Dickinson didn’t rush for a single yard for the Nease football team on its way to a Class 4A state championship, and didn’t complete one pass. But when the Panthers pass out accolades for the greatest football season in school history, they ought to send a thank-you card her way. Without her, Tim Tebow might not have rushed or passed for any yards. In 1996, Dickinson won a two-year battle in the Florida legislature that allowed home-schooled students to participate in extracurricular activities at public high schools, including athletics. Tebow, the Times-Union’s 2005 Super 24 Player of the Year, is the last of five Tebow children to be home-schooled and competed at Nease under the Craig Dickinson Act, named for Dickinson’s late husband.There is nothing close to a uniform policy nationwide, however, as many states don’t allow home-schooled students the same chance. And even in Florida, where the law has been established for nearly a decade, there remains no shortage of opposition to it.”There was a lot of resentment [in the Florida High School Athletic Association] for the whole idea when we were trying to get it passed,” Dickinson said. “And I think to some extent, there still is. Their stance was that home-schoolers had no right to take a [roster] spot from public school students that had, as they called it, paid their dues. We argued that the FHSAA basically had monopolized athletics to the exclusion of children that were being lawfully schooled at home. If the school system is truly public, those children have every right to benefit from after-school clubs, sports, the marching band or anything else that’s offered.”Private schools can choose to not offer extracurricular activities to home-schooled children, but may engage in agreements to do so. Tebow, in fact, played at Trinity Christian, a Westside private school, while being home-schooled in 2002-03 before transferring to Nease for the next three years.In breaking several state passing records at Nease, Tebow’s high-profile athletic career has drawn attention to the home-school rule, but the University of Florida signee is far from alone. A recent ESPN report on home-schooling cited estimates of 1.5 million home-schooled children nationally, and in states where laws allow, many participate in athletics.A key element to Dickinson’s stance on extracurricular activities is that home-schooling parents support public schools with their tax dollars, and therefore have a right to benefit from elements of the school system while maintaining the right to educate from the home.”I think we have a right to use a part of the school,” said Bob Tebow, Tim’s father. “And a high school coach doesn’t have to take a home-schooled athlete: He only has to give that kid a chance. He can cut them like anyone else. … If a 55-year-old taxpayer with no kids wants to check out a book at a public school library, he should be allowed to do that.”That logic hasn’t flown everywhere.In July, the West Virginia Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that had ordered school officials to permit athletic participation to home-schooled children. In writing the majority opinion, Justice Robin Jean Davis noted: “The parents of home-schooled children have voluntarily chosen not to participate in the free public school system in order to educate their children at home. In making this choice, these parents have also chosen to forego the privileges incidental to a public education, one of which is … interscholastic athletics.”

Hello, I am on the Board of Directors for our county homeschool support group, and I answer the email questions that come into the group. I know that one of the options for homeschoolers to meet the law is to take a standardized test "adminstered by a certified teacher". My question is in the interpretation of this phrase. I know that a number of homeschooling parents give their children the test at home without a teacher present, and then send it to a teacher who grades it and completes the letter which goes in to the County Superintendant. Does this meet the requirements of the law? I would appreciate being able to understand the law better so that I can help the homeschoolers in my area. Thanks for all you do! Sincerely, L.M. The law was not intended for a parent to administer the test; otherwise, I would not have said "administer by a certified teacher." It does not say a Florida certified teacher. Some distant learning programs, such as Bob Jones, certify test administrators, but that does not meet the criteria of a certified teacher. Only if the parent is a certified teacher are they in compliance with the law in administering a such a test. Therefore, I would say that the practice you described does not meet the intent of the law. The methods outlined in the law were intended to be a third party evaluation. If the distant learning program provides a transcript or written evaluation to the parent, which includes a standardized test given by the parent, the school district might accept it under Option #5 as the child's evaluation.

To help you compare these programs HEF has created a Guide to Virtual Education for Home Educators New Virtual Options 2011 Chart Program Descriptions: The Florida Virtual School (FLVS) was established as a statewide public school in 2001.  Its motto is “any time, any place, any path, any pace.” The winner of numerous state, national, and international awards, FLVS is now the national model in virtual education according to the US DOE and the Southern Regional Education Board. Like public schools, FLVS receives state funding for each enrolled student, but unlike public schools, FLVS only gets those funds when a student successfully completes a course. Success is measured by outcomes rather than seat time, so there are no attendance records to be kept. The courses were built on the Sunshine State Standards and can be adjusted as new standards are adopted because the curriculum is provided in a virtual environment.  The courses are free to any student in the state. According to Florida TaxWatch’s research*, FLVS saved the State more than $1000 per student compared to traditional schools in 2007, and FLVS produced students who earned higher grades and higher test scores than their public school counterparts. On its main virtual campus for students in grades 6-12, FLVS offers over 95 interactive, engaging courses, including AP and Honors, taught by certified teachers, many of whom have a Masters or Doctorate degree and all of whom are teaching in-field. FLVS now offers a game through which students learn American History.  Home education students can register directly through www.flvs.net for one or more courses. FLVS teachers direct the instructional process while communicating with parents regularly about their child’s progress in each course. Home education students may take as many courses through FLVS as they like and still participate in extracurricular activities at their zoned public school or at a private school. They can take as many dual enrollment courses as the college will allow. Some students with certain learning challenges and varied learning paces have been very successful in FLVS because of the one-on-one instruction and the extended time in which to complete a course. FLVS is a year-round program where students may enroll at any time. To ensure complete student and parent access, all teachers are full-time and available seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm. * Florida TaxWatch Study, “Final Report: A Comprehensive Assessment of Florida Virtual School, ” page 79 The Florida Virtual School – Connections Academy (FLVS-CA) is a partnership that brings the Connection Academy curriculum to home education students in grades 6-8 through the FLVS delivery system.  The program is free to home education students who register at www.flvs.net. This is a full-time program which requires the parent to keep attendance records and document 4 to 5 hours of instruction per day for 180 days. The textbooks, manipulatives, and supplies are shipped to the student’s home at the beginning of the school year. A “Learning Coach”, who is typically a parent or other adult family member, provides daily instruction in partnership with a Florida certified teacher who has expertise in providing online instruction.  The Connections Academy teacher answers questions, review assignments, adjusts individual lesson plans and assesses progress. Noteworthy to consider is that the FLVS-CA option is a structured program with grade-level curriculum and follows the school calendar.  In comparison, the FLVS curriculum, described above, offers students in grades 6-8 the flexibility to enroll at anytime in one or more courses taught by Florida-certified teachers and completed on a flexible schedule. School District Virtual – FLVS Franchise began as an initiative to help the county school districts replicate the curriculum design and instructional delivery success of FLVS. This partnership gives Florida students increased access to online learning through district virtual campuses, such as the Broward Virtual School. The district selects FLVS courses to be taught by Florida-certified teachers employed by their school district.  The district receives the full funding for any student enrolled in the school district franchise and pays FLVS $50 per half-credit. In turn, FLVS provides the curriculum, delivery platforms, teacher training and mentoring, and district support. In addition to the courses offered by the district, all FLVS courses are still available to any student directly via the FLVS main virtual campus and FLVS gets the funding. Home educated students can enroll in any course, free of charge, through either the school district franchise or directly with FLVS. Noteworthy to consider is that franchise courses may only be offered during the traditional school year, the teachers may be full time or part time, and office hours may vary.  All courses taken directly through FLVS are offered year-round and taught by full-time teachers with seven day, 8am to 8pm availability. In order to increase their funding, some districts are offering home education students a diploma, using the transfer of credit rule, if the student enrolls full-time in the district virtual school for at least the final semester of their senior year. However, the student’s right to participate in extra-curricular activities and dual enrollment may be affected. The FHSAA is now requiring parents to provide the child’s cumulative record in order to see where virtual courses for home education students are being taken.  The FHSAA policy is that if a student is taking 50% or more of their courses in a Franchise, the student will be ruled a public school student.  A parent can access their child’s cumulative record in the guardian account and determine where the child is taking the course.  A home education student can take as many FLVS courses as the parent desires.  So, be sure to check the child’s cumulative record as soon as the child is registered for a virtual course. School District Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) for K-8 was passed by the 2008 Legislature and expanded in 2009. This legislation requires that school districts offer full-time virtual education, aligned with the Sunshine State Standards, in grades K-12 to each eligible student beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. A student who enrolls in the VIP is a public school student. To be eligible for the program, a child has to meet one of the following requirements: have been enrolled in a Florida public school during the entire previous school year, have been enrolled in the K-8 Virtual School Program* (which is no longer available), or be a child of a military family. Students who were in a home education program for the previous school year are not eligible for the district VIP. The VIP is a full-time public school program, following a traditional 180-day school calendar. An on-site “Learning Coach,” typically a parent, is established for each student.  The parent, who will receive training, lesson plans, and instructional materials, will be required to complete every assigned lesson, and document the required 4 to 5 hours of instruction per day for 180 days per year. The school district must verify the attendance.  District VIP students are required to take the FCAT.  Districts must also provide computers and internet access to qualified students. Many school districts are using the federal free-and-reduced lunch (poverty) guidelines to qualify the students who will receive the technology. * K-8 Virtual School Program, a full-time pilot program administered by the Florida Department of Education, began in 2005.  The funding for the program was eliminated by the 2009 Legislature, but students already in the program were allowed to enroll in a School District Virtual Instruction Program. Initially, it was funded for 1000 students and later expanded to include their siblings. Students enrolled into this program became full-time public school students and were required to take the FCAT.  Parents provided 4 to 5 hours of instruction per day for 180 days per year under the direction of a Florida certified teacher.  The two approved providers were K-12, Inc. (operating as Florida Virtual Academy) and Connections Academy.   Students in this program appeared to be home educated, since they were taught at home by their parents, but they were actually public school students, thus they were “grandfathered” into the School District Virtual Instruction Program. To help you compare these programs HEF has created a Guide to Virtual Education for Home Educators

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Seven Frequently Asked Questions About Home Education and Exceptional Student Education Services What should a parent do to receive an evaluation if they suspect their child has a disability? What is required of the parent as related to the evaluation process? How long does the school district have to complete the initial evaluation? After the evaluation is conducted, what happens next? What is the school district’s obligation if the child is eligible for services? Can a district enroll and report a student part-time only for the ESE services that they provide? Whom should a parent contact if they have questions or need additional assistance? Answers Here

A VALUABLE TOOL FOR HOME EDUCATORS IN FLORIDA Florida’s colleges and universities offer hundreds of online courses to meet your needs. Looking for a course to round out your schedule? Need help starting your full-time or part-time college career? Want to check your college transcripts? Find it all right here! – Online courses – Career and technical information – Admission requirements – Bright Futures eligiblity – Finacial aid – and more

Yes.A student must apply during their last year in high school or he forfeits all future eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship. An applicant must apply prior to graduation, but the Bright Futures’ Office will accept ACT/SAT scores for tests taken in June of the school year of graduation. The Bright Futures academic year is September 1 through August 31, therefore, a student graduating on or after September 1 would be able to continue taking the ACT/SAT through June of that school year. Applicants must complete the Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA)* during his/her last year in high school. A student may apply online at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org beginning December 1st of his/her last year in high school, but must apply prior to graduation to be considered.

Welcome to the debut issue of The Home Education Foundation’s monthly e-newsletter. Several home educators have volunteered to make this newsletter a reality in order to share with you the most up-to-date news and information important to home educators in Florida. We will highlight new and pending legislation, as well as vital information and opportunities, to help parents make the best choices and plans to home educate their children. We are disheartened when we hear of families whose children miss out on scholarships, athletic and college opportunities because they are unaware of rules or choices available to them. We hope this newsletter will reach most of the 50,000 Florida families that home educate their children with this vital information. Our newsletter will be able to bring you timely and accurate information and insights for home educators because HEF’s founder and president, Brenda Dickinson, is at the very heart of home education in Florida. Brenda Dickinson is not just the first to know about changes and challenges to home educators. HEF is most often the reason behind the positive changes or is leading the charge to challenge or fend off legislation and other changes that might adversely affect Florida home educators. Thanks to the continuing efforts of The Home Education Foundation, Florida parents have more options, more freedoms and perhaps more educational choices than any other parents in the nation. You can count on The Home Education Foundation Newsletter to keep you up-to-date and informed on the latest news and opportunities to make the most of educating your children at home. We hope you’ll forward and share this e-newsletter with every Florida home educator you know. Sincerely, Martha Clark, editor P.S. If you have a story to share about how HEF has helped you, how your family has benefited from home education, or a question you would like to ask Brenda, please e-mail me here.

Ask Brenda Is there a deadline for applying for a Bright Futures scholarship? Yes. A student must apply during their last year in high school or he forfeits all future eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship. An applicant must apply prior to graduation, but the Bright Futures’ Office will accept ACT/SAT scores for tests taken in June of the school year of graduation. The Bright Futures academic year is September 1 through August 31, therefore, a student graduating on or after September 1 would be able to continue taking the ACT/SAT through June of that school year. Applicants must complete the Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA)* during his/her last year in high school. A student may apply online at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org beginning December 1st of his/her last year in high school, but must apply prior to graduation to be considered. If you have a home education question you would like Brenda to answer in a future issue, please submit it to the Editor at www.flhef.org/contact.

Brenda was an enormous resource and help in resolving an eligibility issue with my son at the local high school and the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association). Thank you Brenda for implementing your knowledge of the by-laws and being a most ardent mediator.” –Grateful mother of a high school wrestler in South Florida

By Patricia McClure, home educator and Youth in Government advisor Editor’s Note: As the FL home education lobbying organization, HEF understands first-hand the importance of knowing about and being involved in the political process. Our newsletter will regularly feature FL home educators and the many ways they learn about and participate in government. “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than a generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people.” President Ronald Reagan Whether conservative or liberal, republican or democrat, we can all learn something from President Reagan’s quote. As a homeschool mother it is also a mandate; how do I teach my child democracy and equip them to defend freedom? For 15 years I have found one great answer: Florida’s YMCA Youth in Government program, whose motto is: “Democracy must be learned by each generation”. The program’s goal is to instill servant leadership qualities in 6th-12th grade delegates while teaching them the democratic process. Youth In Government offers students experiences that build character and leadership skills in an environment that abides by the YMCA’s four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Youth In Government gives students an opportunity to find their voice and then use it. The program not only strengthens the individual; it also strengthens our nation by ensuring the lessons and the importance of democracy are learned by the next generation. The Youth in Government student delegates can participate in several program areas including: Legislative: Writing bills, debating bills, presenting amendments and defending beliefs. Executive: Campaigning for cabinet positions including Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Commissioner of Agriculture and others while setting agenda initiatives. Judicial: Youth Lawyers, law firms and justices write briefs, argue cases and render legal judgments. Lobby Firms: Youth lobbyist use accurate and current information to help strengthen the debate and get pieces of legislation passed. Press: Youth press delegates take video, interview delegates and write articles based on the news of the day. All of this hard work culminates in a three day intense and “real life experience” at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee. This is where all of the state’s Youth in Government clubs gather to put democracy into action. If you would like to find out more about the Florida Youth in Government program visit their website at www.floridayig.net. If you would like more information on starting a Home Education Youth in Government club, please contact Patricia McClure @ pmcclure@envcs.com.