2007 Legislation

HB1872/SB2008

This legislation isn't 'dead' until the end of the 2008 session. Check 2008Legisl.html for any updates.

It was taken off notice in the Senate and sent to a summer study committee by the House.

Creates 'virtual' schools. Homeschoolers should be very careful about limiting the options of other parents to choose the educational delivery system that may work best for their children. We need to be as supportive of other parents in their search for what works for their children as we would like them to be for us. What we can do is ensure that the legislation is written so that confusion about the actual legal status of these virtual students is made absolutely clear and then educate the public about the benefits of 'homeschooling'. School districts are certainly becoming aware of the fact that they need to compete in the education marketplace. I welcome the competition because the children will benefit from having more options.

From HSLDA: "This bill would enact the Virtual Public Schools Act, which would create a public school option at home. HSLDA does not consider this to be a good option for homeschoolers because of the associated state control of such public programs. Additionally, it appears that the local school district or charter school would get full funding from the state for each student, even though the student did not attend the regular school."

*HB1872 by *Hawk. (SB2008 by *Southerland.)

Education - Enacts the virtual public schools act to provide certain educational resources and opportunities to students via the Internet in a virtual or remote setting. - Amends TCA Title 49.