By Bec Thomas

Home educators need to stay on top of all legislation that may impact our choice to home educate. It is imperative to maintaining and evolving our status as home educators. Keeping on top of new bills, initiatives, and proposals are some of the best ways to prevent legislation that can harm the cause of home education. The state has made this process more efficient by providing this information on the Internet. Try to review bills as soon as they are drafted; start by looking over the summaries, paying close attention to those that are in the Education Committee. You need to watch bills for add-ons that often sneak by. Often an add-on will have nothing to do with the bill, but it was a compromise made between officials. For example, a bill is presented to make testing non-essential, and then someone tacks on a requirement for parenting classes. It would be very important to have the add-on removed.

When a problem is spotted, try to contact the sponsor to see if he or she will fix or drop the problematic portions of the bill, it does help if you are a registered voter. Sometimes politicians are not aware that this could affect home education in a negative way and often will work to fix the problem. This is the easiest time to head off a potential disaster.

It is always a good idea to understand the interworkings of our government to ensure that you can contest a bill that is not easy to get changed or altered. You should know each stage that the bill will go through, which committees are going to be working on it, and know the leanings of everyone that will speak and vote on the bill. After you have gathered the above information, you need to network with other home educators and get the word out. Email and call everyone you know, and have them do the same. Once the word is out, a plan needs to be made and everyone needs to get organized. Hold work groups and information nights so everyone is on the same page. Start calling your officials to discuss what you view as the problem. Write letters, go to the public hearings, and try to speak if you can. The more people you have behind you the better; if only a handful of home educators call, write, and go to the hearing your point won't be made. Not everyone will be able to speak, but just being there in sheer numbers sends a powerful message. Always follow up after the hearing, let them know you have not forgot about the issue and that you feel it is important. Let officials know this is an issue that is concerning the voters, they may drop it all together or amend it so it is less problematic.

If the bill comes out of committee and goes before the house and the senate, all senators and congressmen will need to be made aware that we the people are against the bill. Elected officials are working for us; they will listen when presented with facts and research that validate the position being made. Every vote will count; so the more people you can turn to our side the better. In addition, you need to be aware that other lobbyists are going to be making deals for their side. Behave in a professional manner, wear business clothes, tidy your hair, and speak calmly and clearly. Use materials that are hard to argue against if you can, such as research and studies on home education. Let children speak on their own behalf if possible. Try to get a good idea which way the votes might swing, and focus your efforts on officials that are still undecided. This will require research. Start by getting the voting record of the official you are working on, as this might give you some insight on how to sway them to your side. Voting records can be found online. If you are asked for research and other information, it is best to have it ahead of time; if you don't, get it to them ASAP; let them know that you're on top of things. Always reference back to the bill in question and how the information you are providing them addresses your issues. Politicians are often working on many bills at one time, and it is in your best interest to be sure they are not confused about the issue you are working on.