HEM News & Commentary - August 5, 2003
Home Education Magazine
Homeschooling News & Commentary from Home Education Magazine
A weekly report on what's happening in the world of homeschooling
Compiled and edited by Ann Lahrson Fisher - August 5, 2003
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/whts_nw.html
In this issue:
The Camel's Nose Enters the Homeschooling Tent
Homeschooling Bill Introduced in the Senate
Idaho - Will Homeschooling Be Regulated?
Charter Home-Schooling
In the News
$50,000 Homeschooling - update
Back to Homeschool
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Camel's Nose Enters the Homeschooling Tent
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: This week I want to share my thoughts about Section 6 of the
proposed homeschooling omnibus bill, HR 2732, which has been
misleadingly dubbed a non-discrimination bill. Several portions of
the bill are better described as special interest amendments,
including the Coverdell amendment, the focus of this Commentary.
What it is: The Coverdell Educational Savings Plan offers tax
advantages to families in high tax brackets. The proposed amendment
expands the applicability of the Coverdell to "students privately
educated at home under state law." Under this plan, funds must be
used for "qualified elementary and secondary expenses."
I have two major objections to this amendment. First, this amendment
helps a minority of homeschoolers, further entrenching the public
view that homeschoolers are indeed a special interest group. If
homeschoolers are seen as a special interest group marching to
Congress, the deregulation moves in heavily regulated states are
undermined. One sound argument for deregulation, that homeschoolers
ask for no special privileges and no tax dollars and thus should be
left alone, is lost if this amendment passes.
The risks of perpetuating homeschooling as a special interest group
pale, though, when compared to my second major objection, that of
inviting the federal camel's nose into our homeschooling tent. This
amendment is a generous invitation for federal meddling in issues
that are best handled on the state or individual levels. That
invitation will not be turned down.
The invitation is straightforward: the definition of "qualified
elementary and secondary expenses" will need clarification. The IRS
definition (under the Coverdell Plan as it now stands) is consistent
with traditional public and private schooling: tuition, fees, books,
supplies, equipment, special needs, room and board, even computers
and software that is predominately educational in nature.
Homeschoolers' expenses, however, vary widely from those of their
schooled counterparts. Homeschoolers using the Coverdell will not
want to be restricted to the limitations of these school-type
expenses. Therefore, if this amendment passes, the IRS will seek a
definition of qualified expenses for homeschooling.
You may wonder how the IRS might go about the task of defining
homeschooling expenses. It is a simple matter, really, for one
federal agency to ask another agency for information. The Department
of Education would probably commission a study of homeschooling. Or
possibly, since homeschooling takes place in the home, the Department
of Health and Human Services will jump on board with a commissioned
study to define the type of home and family life that produces
successful homeschooled students.
Who might carry out such a study? A state university, perhaps the U.
of Washington or the U. of Michigan, might take on the task. If a
study of homeschooling were contracted out to private agencies, an
established homeschooling organization - perhaps one in Pennsylvania,
Virginia, or Oregon - could win the project. Maybe even a charter
school curriculum provider such as K12 would put in a bid.
Stop and think about that. An institutional study of homeschooling,
mandated by the IRS and put up for bid by DOE or DHHS, would take the
first steps to define legitimate homeschooling practice.
Would information gleaned from such a study be used strictly for its
intended original purpose? Don't believe it. Any such study would be
available to the public, to be used widely for purposes I can only
imagine. Other studies would surely follow, and the definition of
homeschooling would become narrower and narrower.
We must also expect mission creep, the idea that many an agency or
idea starts out small, with good and helpful intentions, and over
time, grows into a bureaucratic nightmare. Hmm, mission creep
examples that pop into mind include public schools, standardized
testing, income tax, the DOE, the DHHS, and Social Security - there
are many more. Mission creep is inevitable when government involves
itself in private affairs. Just as the camel's nose is followed by
the entire camel, agency expansion follows the poking of the federal
nose into private matters.
Do we really want to invite the feds into the homeschooling tent? The
Coverdell amendment is a gold-embossed invitation.
To sum up: The Coverdell amendment, if passed, offers tax benefits to
a minority of homeschoolers, opening the door for federal agencies to
take further interest in homeschooling. Once that door is open, our
historical understanding of how government agencies expand tells us
that the door will swing wider and it will not close. That the
Coverdell amendment also casts homeschooling as a special interest
group exacerbates the problem.
I urge you to read this bill and think through the possible
ramifications for yourself. The bill is short, eight pages, and can
be found at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov If you want to discuss HR
2732 online or read what others are thinking, there are a number of
online discussions going on, including the Yahoo group
AHA-PoliticalAction (To subscribe, send a message to
[email protected] ) and the NHEN Forum at
http://www.nhen.org/forum
When you call or E-mail your Representative:
If your Representative has co-sponsored HR 2732, ask him/her to
withdraw support. If you have already written or called in favor of
the bill, tell your Representative that you've changed your mind and
why. You might point out the following:
A. Homeschooling is private education and we do not want special
consideration nor do we want special interest group status.
B. Helping a few homeschoolers take advantage of the Coverdell
Amendment compromises private status and is not in the best interest
of all homeschoolers.
C. Other issues in this bill are better handled at the state level,
on the individual level, or by working to improve the law for all
citizens.
And now for the news...
To read the rest of this NewsComm issue, click here:
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/whts_nw.html
HEM News & Commentary is a weekly report on what's happening in the
world of homeschooling. Gleanings from the news media, accolades and
pans, hot discussions, legal and legislative successes and problems -
all are fair game, and gathered in one column for your convenience.
And just in case you don't have the time to read every word in print,
we will summarize and discuss key news and trends that we think are
the most provocative or that may have the greatest impact on the
future of homeschooling.
This service is available free. Archives can be accessed at
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/nc/newscommentary.html
The weekly updates will additionally be announced on HEM's discussion
lists. You'll find a print version - the highlights of these reports
- in a column by the same name in Home Education Magazine.
Your opinions and feedback are always welcome. Contact me.
Ann Lahrson-Fisher
HEM News & Commentary
mailto:newscomm@...
A weekly report on what's happening in the world of homeschooling
Compiled and edited by Ann Lahrson Fisher - August 5, 2003
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/whts_nw.html
In this issue:
The Camel's Nose Enters the Homeschooling Tent
Homeschooling Bill Introduced in the Senate
Idaho - Will Homeschooling Be Regulated?
Charter Home-Schooling
In the News
$50,000 Homeschooling - update
Back to Homeschool
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Camel's Nose Enters the Homeschooling Tent
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ann: This week I want to share my thoughts about Section 6 of the
proposed homeschooling omnibus bill, HR 2732, which has been
misleadingly dubbed a non-discrimination bill. Several portions of
the bill are better described as special interest amendments,
including the Coverdell amendment, the focus of this Commentary.
What it is: The Coverdell Educational Savings Plan offers tax
advantages to families in high tax brackets. The proposed amendment
expands the applicability of the Coverdell to "students privately
educated at home under state law." Under this plan, funds must be
used for "qualified elementary and secondary expenses."
I have two major objections to this amendment. First, this amendment
helps a minority of homeschoolers, further entrenching the public
view that homeschoolers are indeed a special interest group. If
homeschoolers are seen as a special interest group marching to
Congress, the deregulation moves in heavily regulated states are
undermined. One sound argument for deregulation, that homeschoolers
ask for no special privileges and no tax dollars and thus should be
left alone, is lost if this amendment passes.
The risks of perpetuating homeschooling as a special interest group
pale, though, when compared to my second major objection, that of
inviting the federal camel's nose into our homeschooling tent. This
amendment is a generous invitation for federal meddling in issues
that are best handled on the state or individual levels. That
invitation will not be turned down.
The invitation is straightforward: the definition of "qualified
elementary and secondary expenses" will need clarification. The IRS
definition (under the Coverdell Plan as it now stands) is consistent
with traditional public and private schooling: tuition, fees, books,
supplies, equipment, special needs, room and board, even computers
and software that is predominately educational in nature.
Homeschoolers' expenses, however, vary widely from those of their
schooled counterparts. Homeschoolers using the Coverdell will not
want to be restricted to the limitations of these school-type
expenses. Therefore, if this amendment passes, the IRS will seek a
definition of qualified expenses for homeschooling.
You may wonder how the IRS might go about the task of defining
homeschooling expenses. It is a simple matter, really, for one
federal agency to ask another agency for information. The Department
of Education would probably commission a study of homeschooling. Or
possibly, since homeschooling takes place in the home, the Department
of Health and Human Services will jump on board with a commissioned
study to define the type of home and family life that produces
successful homeschooled students.
Who might carry out such a study? A state university, perhaps the U.
of Washington or the U. of Michigan, might take on the task. If a
study of homeschooling were contracted out to private agencies, an
established homeschooling organization - perhaps one in Pennsylvania,
Virginia, or Oregon - could win the project. Maybe even a charter
school curriculum provider such as K12 would put in a bid.
Stop and think about that. An institutional study of homeschooling,
mandated by the IRS and put up for bid by DOE or DHHS, would take the
first steps to define legitimate homeschooling practice.
Would information gleaned from such a study be used strictly for its
intended original purpose? Don't believe it. Any such study would be
available to the public, to be used widely for purposes I can only
imagine. Other studies would surely follow, and the definition of
homeschooling would become narrower and narrower.
We must also expect mission creep, the idea that many an agency or
idea starts out small, with good and helpful intentions, and over
time, grows into a bureaucratic nightmare. Hmm, mission creep
examples that pop into mind include public schools, standardized
testing, income tax, the DOE, the DHHS, and Social Security - there
are many more. Mission creep is inevitable when government involves
itself in private affairs. Just as the camel's nose is followed by
the entire camel, agency expansion follows the poking of the federal
nose into private matters.
Do we really want to invite the feds into the homeschooling tent? The
Coverdell amendment is a gold-embossed invitation.
To sum up: The Coverdell amendment, if passed, offers tax benefits to
a minority of homeschoolers, opening the door for federal agencies to
take further interest in homeschooling. Once that door is open, our
historical understanding of how government agencies expand tells us
that the door will swing wider and it will not close. That the
Coverdell amendment also casts homeschooling as a special interest
group exacerbates the problem.
I urge you to read this bill and think through the possible
ramifications for yourself. The bill is short, eight pages, and can
be found at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov If you want to discuss HR
2732 online or read what others are thinking, there are a number of
online discussions going on, including the Yahoo group
AHA-PoliticalAction (To subscribe, send a message to
[email protected] ) and the NHEN Forum at
http://www.nhen.org/forum
When you call or E-mail your Representative:
If your Representative has co-sponsored HR 2732, ask him/her to
withdraw support. If you have already written or called in favor of
the bill, tell your Representative that you've changed your mind and
why. You might point out the following:
A. Homeschooling is private education and we do not want special
consideration nor do we want special interest group status.
B. Helping a few homeschoolers take advantage of the Coverdell
Amendment compromises private status and is not in the best interest
of all homeschoolers.
C. Other issues in this bill are better handled at the state level,
on the individual level, or by working to improve the law for all
citizens.
And now for the news...
To read the rest of this NewsComm issue, click here:
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/whts_nw.html
HEM News & Commentary is a weekly report on what's happening in the
world of homeschooling. Gleanings from the news media, accolades and
pans, hot discussions, legal and legislative successes and problems -
all are fair game, and gathered in one column for your convenience.
And just in case you don't have the time to read every word in print,
we will summarize and discuss key news and trends that we think are
the most provocative or that may have the greatest impact on the
future of homeschooling.
This service is available free. Archives can be accessed at
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/nc/newscommentary.html
The weekly updates will additionally be announced on HEM's discussion
lists. You'll find a print version - the highlights of these reports
- in a column by the same name in Home Education Magazine.
Your opinions and feedback are always welcome. Contact me.
Ann Lahrson-Fisher
HEM News & Commentary
mailto:newscomm@...