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From the HSLDA E-lert Service...
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July 17, 2008

Ohio--Urgent--Your Help is Needed to Stop
Revisions of the Homeschool Regulations!

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,

If Ohio homeschoolers do not act, they may face stricter homeschool
regulations.

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Ohio Department of
Education (ODE) has initiated a formal review process of the home
education rules in the Ohio Administrative Code Section 3301-34. It
is imperative that every Ohio resident who is concerned about
homeschooling freedom register his or her opinion regarding proposed
changes. The comment period is now open and will last only until
August 8.

Ohio law dictates that the ODE review regulations every 5 years to
determine what changes, if any, should be made. O.A.C. 3301-34 was
enacted in 1989, and until now, the ODE has not found any revisions to
be necessary during the 5-year review. Even though the regulations
have worked very well for the past 19 years, the ODE has decided that
this time, changes are warranted.

The most important message Ohio residents can convey to the ODE is
that the regulations do not need to change. If enough people support
the current regulations, we may be able to stop the revision process
before it begins.

ACTION NEEDED

1. Go to http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5316 and register your
comments about the ODE's intent to change O.A.C. 3301-34. The
deadline to comment is August 8.

2. Forward this message to others. Anyone who is a "stakeholder" may
register comments. This means that if you homeschool in Ohio, have
previously homeschooled in Ohio, are considering homeschooling in
Ohio, or have a family member or friend who is homeschooling in Ohio,
you may comment to the ODE.

3. It is important to comment in your own words--please do not simply
copy and paste someone else's message. If your message is not
original, it is possible that it will not be counted as an individual
response.

Ohio homeschool leaders are also closely monitoring this situation.
For more information on the review process, please visit
http://ohiohsalert.org/ .

Sincerely,

Michael P. Donnelly, Esq.
HSLDA Staff Attorney