IA passes "See something, say something" rule on homeschoolers

[XNavyNuke]

Reason: Iowa Truancy Law Encourages Citizens Monitor Home-Schooled Neighbors (http://reason.com/24-7/2013/11/21/iowa-truancy-law-encourages-citizens-mon)


"The next step, Cormack said, would be for someone who thinks a child is not getting classwork done at their home school to contact local authorities," according to WCF.

What could possibly go wrong here? I know. Based on an anonymous tip, the Department of Education SWAT team shows up to seize the family records based on a sealed warrant and shoots the family dog. Of course, that could be a best-case scenario.

XNN

[tod evans]

Who exactly are the "Iowa board of ed. officials" he speaks of?

They are people with names and addresses, this idea of a nameless bureaucracy is one of the reasons these jokers are so bold.

Call 'em out!

[Keith and stuff]

Who exactly are the "Iowa board of ed. officials" he speaks of?

They are people with names and addresses, this idea of a nameless bureaucracy is one of the reasons these jokers are so bold.

Call 'em out!

IA has had a Republican governor since the 2010 elections :( IA has a Republican controlled House. Even state level Republicans don't always do the right thing :(

[tod evans]

IA has had a Republican governor since the 2010 elections :( IA has a Republican controlled House. Even state level Republicans don't always do the right thing :(

What in the Sam Hell does party affiliation have to do with calling out the individual people who pushed to enact this "rule"?

The homeschoolers can't address a nameless bureaucracy but they can certainly target individuals for this behavior.

[Origanalist]

IA has had a Republican governor since the 2010 elections :( IA has a Republican controlled House. Even state level Republicans don't always do the right thing :(

Is it really a surprise?

[ClydeCoulter]

What in the Sam Hell does party affiliation have to do with calling out the individual people who pushed to enact this "rule"?

The homeschoolers can't address a nameless bureaucracy but they can certainly target individuals for this behavior.

^^^ THIS ^^^

[Origanalist]

DES MOINES | Iowa’s home-schooled children won’t have to take standardized tests, but they are subject to state truancy laws, under rules approved Wednesday by the Iowa State Board of Education.

Still, there’s little school officials have power to do if they think home-schooled children are violating truancy laws.

"Basically, the law has shifted, so there’s less of a burden on the districts. The district has to make a good-faith attempt, they can ask for information,” said Mike Cormack, policy liaison for the Iowa Board of Education. "In the scenario where there’s no response, the district has done what the district can do.”

The next step, Cormack said, would be for someone who thinks a child is not getting classwork done at their home school to contact local authorities.

Questions like these came about as the state embarks on a new way to work with home-school families as outlined in the education reform law of 2013. The law created three choices for parents of home-school children, one of which — independent private instruction — forbade school officials from collecting any information about a home school, its instructor, students or curriculum unless the parent offered it.

The rules that board members adopted Wednesday serve as guides to how school districts will interact with home-school families in their boundaries.

“Whether you like it or not, we have an obligation to go through with this,” said Board of Education member Mike May, noting some board members expressed concern with some of the new home-school rules.

Board member Max Phillips said it would be valuable for the board if test scores between home-school and traditional-schooled children could be compared in aggregate.

“It seems to me at some point somebody ought to say, ‘How’s it work?’” he said.

Cormack said home-school students aren’t required to take any standardized testing if they don’t want to. He added that public school students also have an “opt-out” clause on standardized tests.

http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/home-schooled-children-may-become-subject-to-truancy-laws/article_96420468-cabc-5380-bb0d-3c5a486d9b46.html

[Origanalist]

Rosie Hussey, President https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/styles/large/public/RosieHussey200.jpg?itok=OBTUd6x1

Charles C. Edwards, Jr., Vice President https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/styles/large/public/CharlesCEdwards200.jpg?itok=mHDKM67o

Diane Crookham-Johnson Diane Crookham-Johnson

Sister Jude Fitzpatrick https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/styles/large/public/SisterJudeFitzpatrick200.jpg?itok=uNI2n_l8

Michael Knedler https://www.educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/styles/large/public/MichaelKnedler200.jpg?itok=FGERx0qp

More, plus descriptions at https://www.educateiowa.gov/iowa-state-board-education-members

[tod evans]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Origanalist again.:o

[XNavyNuke]

ISBE members are all appointed bureaucrats with six year terms. (Plus a non-voting student member as window dressing.)

Short of legal action, they are pretty much isolated from blowback.

XNN

[tod evans]

ISBE members are all appointed bureaucrats with six year terms. (Plus a non-voting student member as window dressing.)

Short of legal action, they are pretty much isolated from blowback.

XNN

In their "professional" capacity...

Their personal lives are ripe for strife.

[Origanalist]

In their "professional" capacity...

Their personal lives are ripe for strife.

Oh_hell_yes.

[Origanalist]

Are there any Iowans here with the ability to make sure these fine citizens don't break any laws or run afoul of any regulations? What's good for the goose......

See something, say something.

[tod evans]

Are there any Iowans here with the ability to make sure these fine citizens don't break any laws or run afoul of any regulations? What's good for the goose......

See something, say something.

Such mundane things like very pointed questions while waiting in line at the supermarket, refusing to share a pew in church, waiving enthusiastically as they pass on the road...

Neighbors and associates really do need to be made aware of the monsters living in their midst...

[acptulsa]

ISBE members are all appointed bureaucrats with six year terms. (Plus a non-voting student member as window dressing.)

Short of legal action, they are pretty much isolated from blowback.

XNN

The state senators and the governor aren't.


There are ten members of the Iowa State Board of Education: nine voting members appointed by the governor for six-year terms and subject to Senate confirmation; and one nonvoting student member who serves a one-year term, also appointed by the governor.

https://www.educateiowa.gov/about-iowa-state-boards-education