This document records testimony from a hearing held to examine ways to expand educational opportunity through school choice. Member statements were presented by: (1) Honorable John Kline, Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives; and (2) Honorable Robert C. Scott, Ranking Member, Committee on Education and…

Examines state laws and the actions of various courts on home instruction and unauthorized educational programs. Suggests reforming the regulation of private education through legislative action that requires periodic testing as an alternative to compulsory school attendance. (Author/MLF)

This paper examines five selected court cases concerning state control over private home education. According to the author, the cases were selected on the basis of their relevancy to the subject, but no attempt was made to ascertain their representativeness. The cases discussed include State v. Peterman, Wright v. State, People v. Turner, and…

This brochure is a response to numerous questions that have been directed to the Superintendent of Public Instruction's Office since the passage of Chapter 441, Laws of 1985, (SSB 3279, the "Home Based Instruction" law). The following information is presented: (1) responses to questions relating to Chapter 28A.27 RCW (compulsory…

Based on the alleged growth in the number of families seeking unapproved alternative schooling arrangements, this paper reviews related state legislation and court litigation. Both home schooling and small, unapproved private schools are discussed. According to the paper, in virtually every state, enforcement of minimum standards for private…

The range of nonpublic schools in the United States is considerable, from home instruction by parents to prestigious private schools, with or without religious affiliation. The continuing growth in nonpublic education can hardly be blamed on a disenchantment with or an apathy toward public schools; the central common denominator is a basic concern…

Cases arguing about the use of school facilities by religious groups continued to increase in number in 1990; however cases involving home instruction and student searches declined. In the school desegregation section, the financing of desegregation plans occupied the attention in most cases. Increasingly, desegregation cases focus less on…

Cases involving searches of public school pupils in order to obtain evidence of drug sales or use, and litigation challenging the punishments meted out to students found with drugs, continued to occupy the attention of courts in 1989. Also continuing a trend seen in previous years, religion-based challenges to state regulation of both home…

Court decisions in 1988 expanded the power of school boards to set policies regarding the operation of the public schools. Cases are discussed under the following sections: (1) public school assignment, tuition, transportation, home instruction, and compulsory attendance; (2) private and parochial schools; (3) substantive rights of students,…

This paper examines issues related to the provision of special education services by public schools to students in private, parochial, or home school settings and offers guidelines for local education agencies. First, the paper reviews federal statutory and regulatory obligations, particularly those under the Individuals with Disabilities…

The sharp increase in the number of cases that involve school antidrug policies continued in 1987. Courts continued to support school policies that contain an automatic suspension or expulsion penalty for school drug possession. First Amendment religious cases also continued to increase in number. A new grouping of cases under the heading…