CHAP Legislative Efforts Video

"The US Supreme Court has ruled that the state does have an interest in education. According to the court the state needs an educated populace to drive the economic engine of the country. It also needs an educated populace so that its people will not be on the welfare rolls. It should be noted that all the evidence available indicates that homeschoolers have higher academic achievement than public school students, and are less likely to receive welfare than public school students. Homeschoolers are meeting the state interest of an educated populace." 
                                                                                               ~ Dr. Bruce Eagleson

ONE WEEK UNTIL THE VOTE

By Corie Moore

We had a wonderful time meeting so many of you at the CHAP Convention. We appreciate each one who stopped by and signed the petition, and for all kinds of help everyone has extended in our legislative efforts.

We have the confirmation! House Bill 1013 is scheduled for a vote in the Education Committee on Wednesday, June 4. We believe we have enough votes to pass it but pray that it will be a solid majority vote. We now have to double our efforts to get it through the full House and Senate before the end of June. But when they realize that it's going out of committee, it makes our urgency legitimate. Please stay with us to the finish line.

Our next goal is to get as many Representatives as we can to sign on to the bill from both parties. It's great to be able to say that it has bipartisan support with 17-Republican and 3-Democratic co-sponsors to date. We need a minimum of 102 votes to pass it in the House so please call your Representative and ask him/her to sign on (co-sponsor) the bill. This is how they show that they support the bill. If you're willing, call a few other Representatives as well. You can also identify who your State Senator is and call their office to prepare the way for the bill when it reaches the Senate.

The legislators are still in their district offices and will not return to the Capitol until June 2. You may call or visit them in their district office.

Keep in mind that if you wait until they return to the Capitol that the legislature is normally in session Monday to Wednesday, from 11:00 AM. They may have caucus or committee meetings earlier, but there's a greater chance of reaching them in the morning or late afternoon. On Thursdays and Fridays, they go back to their district offices -- except for the last 2 weeks of June when they will remain at the Capitol to wrap things up before the summer break. If you are able to successfully contact and get them to commit to the bill, please email us at cmoore@chaponline.com with the details of your conversation so we can track our progress.

If you need help in understanding the bill a little better and knowing what to say to the legislators, there are ideas and updates on our blog.

CHAP will keep an updated list of sponsors here. 

Some of our legislators need more information about homeschooling and what HB1013 is about. We have useful maps and informative fliers to help your family learn how to lobby and educate your legislators. You can also view the video on CHAP's Legislative Efforts along with downloadable and printable maps and informative fliers about the current status of Pennsylvania homeschool laws. They are here and we appreciate you sharing it. 

KEEP THESE LINKS HANDY:

www.CHAPonline.com

www.hslda.org/hs/state/PA/default.asp

www.CHAPLegislativeAction.blogspot.com

To know who your legislators are and their contact information:

www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/#address

OR http://openstates.org/pa/

Pennsylvania Capitol Tour

We are deeply grateful to Representative Rick Saccone for this virtual tour of the State Capitol. If you are like me, you most likely have never heard of these facts in your tours of the Capitol. Quite possibly, you may have never heard that there are these many Bible passages all over the Building either. I've taken the tour on several occasions and didn't know that in the Senate Chamber alone are 24 Scripture references. After watching this, there can be no denying that our great nation and state were built on Christian foundations.

Status of HB1013 Report

by Mark & Corie Moore

We sat down with Chairman Paul Clymer yesterday to get an update on where the Education Committee stands on our homeschool bill. Many of you are wondering if all the phone calls, emails, and CHAP's lobby efforts at the capitol are making a difference. Rest assured that "your labor is not in vain". We are deeply appreciative to all of you for working, praying and participating, even when it's a huge inconvenience.

Here is a brief overview of what Rep. Clymer and the Ed Com legislative staff had to say.

- Rep. Clymer is on our side and supports the bill, but he will not put it for a vote unless he's sure it will pass. If he schedules it and it does not pass, he says that it will be bad for our cause. The legislature has committees for the purpose of ironing out potential issues in the procedural steps with the goal of passing any given bill. He estimates that we only need maybe 2 more votes to pass it, although only 4 of the 25 members are actually signed on to the bill.

- The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators [PASA] does not want to give up the oversight. However, Rep. Clymer says that we can have all 3 benefits* (see below) of the bill if we can secure 13 or more votes from the 25-member committee regardless of what the supervisors want. Republicans have majority so the proportion is 15Reps/10Dems but some Republican Representatives are on the fence. If the Democrats get majority status after the November election, the numbers will be reversed between the 2 parties making it harder next time around.

- If we can't get the vote, we can still get 2 of the 3 changes we want, but Rep. Gillen, the prime sponsor of the bill, would need to give up or modify the superintendents' review of the portfolios.

- We're working towards passing it without amendments so that when it gets to the full House, we have something to bargain with.

- They plan to provide us Homeschool diplomas: downloadable and printable diploma to be signed by the parent and the senior year evaluator - via the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.

- We can still pass this bill by the first week of June!!!

I hope that's encouraging to all of you as it is to us. This is a good step in the right direction. Lord willing, we can get more regulation chipped away from the heavy mandates in the next legislative year.

For now, here's what we need to do: A number of Ed Com members would say they support homeschooling. Call and ask them to show their support by signing on to House Bill 1013 in its current form (no amendments). Once we have the simple majority or greater, Chairman Clymer will have to schedule it for a vote.

The legislature is normally in session at the Capitol Monday to Wednesday, from 11:00 AM. They may have caucus or committee meetings earlier, but there's greater chance of reaching them in the morning or late afternoon. On Thursdays and Fridays, they are in their district offices. If you are able to successfully contact and get them to sign on to the bill, please email us at cmoore@chaponline.com with the details of your conversation so we can track our progress.

If your last name begins with A-F, please contact:

Rep. Mike Carroll (D)

Email at  mcarroll@pahouse.net
(717) 787-3589 

Hon. Jim Christiana (R)

Email at jchristi@pahousegop.com 
(717) 260-6144

Hon. Bernie O’Neill (R)

Email at boneill@pahousegop.com 
(717) 705-7170

If your last name begins with G-K, please contact:

Hon. Kathy L. Rapp (R)

Email at klrapp@pahousegop.com 
(717) 787-1367

Hon. Joe Emrick (R)
Email at Jemrick@pahousegop.com 
(717) 260-6159

Hon. Harold A. English (R)
Email at  henglish@pahousegop.com
(717) 260-6407

Hon. Mike Fleck (R)
Email at mfleck@pahousegop.com 
(717) 787-3335

If your last name begins with L-R, please contact:

Hon. Seth M. Grove (R)
Email at Sgrove@pahousegop.com 
(717) 783-2655

Rep. Mark Longietti (D)

Email at  mlongiet@pahouse.net
(717) 772-4035 

Hon. Mike Reese (R)
Email at Mreese@pahousegop.com
(717) 783-9311

If your last name begins with S-Z, please contact:

Hon. Justin J. Simmons (R)
Email at  jsimmons@pahousegop.com

(717) 783-1673

Hon. Dan Truitt (R)
Email at Dtruitt@pahousegop.com 
(717) 260-6164

Hon. Jake Wheatley Jr. (D)
Email at  jwheatley@pahouse.net
(717) 783-3783

Check out our new video on CHAP's legislative efforts and share it with as many homeschoolers as you know.

Onward and forward. 

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* The 3 beneficial changes HB1013 will have to the current law are:

1) Eliminate the public school superintendent’s review of portfolios;
2) Ensure that the home education program may continue during the time of any appeal of an adverse ruling by a hearing examiner;
3) Require that a high school diploma issued by the supervisor of a home education program be recognized the same as a diploma issued by the commonwealth.

Important State Election Year for Pennsylvania

"God commands you to choose for rulers, 
‘just men who will rule 
in the fear of God.’” 

- Noah Webster (1758-1843) Father of the Dictionary & American Patriot

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November 4, 2014 is a big State Election for Pennsylvania, with incumbent Governor, running for second term in office. We are also electing the composition of the full House, and some Senate members of  the General Assembly. Party leadership candidates and other offices will also be in the ballot, including federal legislative offices.

May 20 Primary Election participation is more important, however, as we vote for the final candidates on the ballot in the General Election. Registration is due 30 days prior, which is April 22, and a copy of the form is downloadable at VotesPA.com.

Register to vote: 

1 - If you have been a citizen for at least a month. 

2 - If you will turn 18 years old on or before election day OR just have not voted before. 

3 - If you have changed your name (e.g., by marriage). 

4 - If you moved to a new election district and have had residency for at least 30 days. 

5 - If your registration has expired (such as from inactive voting). 

6 - If you wish to switch your party affiliation. 
[Note: Only those in the 2 main parties can vote for a candidate during the Primary.]

If you are unable to physically vote on the day of election, you may vote by Absentee Ballot. The deadline for submission of this application is one week before election day. Wait for a ballot to be mailed to you. For all other voting questions in Pennsylvania, go to VotesPAcom. 

Learn what office positions will be voted on and who the candidates are by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of State website.

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“A patriot without religion in my estimation is as great a paradox

as an honest Man without the fear of God.

Is it possible that he whom no moral obligations binds,

can have any real good will towards men?

Can he be a patriot who, by an openly vicious conduct,

is undermining the very bonds of society? ...

The Scriptures tell us ‘righteousness exalteth a nation.’”

— Abigail Adams (1744-1818) Wife of John Adams, Mother & Patriot

The Education Committee's Voting Meeting

by Mark and Corie Moore

To get straight to the point and answer everybody's question, the House Ed Com had their voting meeting yesterday morning but HB1013 was not in the agenda.

Understandably, that conjures up a gamut of thoughts and emotions but for our part, we are encouraged by each of you participating. Thank you for calling and emailing members of the Ed Com, and coming to lobby with us during CHAP HELP Day.  

Despite our best efforts, we had hoped that the bill would have already been out of committee and on the full House floor. It seems that Chairman Clymer has personal reservations about moving ahead with the bill since the Superintendents Association does not like giving up their oversight. So the Ed Com leadership is looking for some type of compromise before it will even be voted upon in the Committee. We are frustrated by this decision because Chairman Clymer is not allowing our elected representatives to have an up or down vote on the bill. He is trying to make sure that HB1013 is amended in such a way that it will be passed unanimously. This leaves us with two options listed below. The first is absolutely critical to keep the bill moving along and not get bogged down with potential compromises. The second may be a more diplomatic approach, but will take much more time and effort with perhaps, minimal results, but it can help in the big scheme of things.

First, we need to inundate Rep. Clymer's office with hundreds of calls (717-783-3154) and emails (pclymer@pahousegop.com) expressing our displeasure with the fact that he's allowing a paid employee, (i.e., your local school superintendent) to have an equal voice, if not more than your elected representative in Harrisburg. Then, insist that the bill be put on the calendar for an up or down vote by the committee (your elected officials). It is not right that one man should have the power to hold up the process.

If you need additional talking points try using any of the following:

>    Legislators represent taxpayers, not other government employees. Rep. Clymer needs to remember that he is supposed to listen to taxpayers, not school superintendents who are also employed by the taxpayers. 

>    School superintendents in 48 other states don't have any problem with giving up their ability to see portfolios. Only PA and NY do this.

>    Superintendents seem so concerned about the .5%  (1/2 of 1%) of homeschool children out of compliance if we lower the law under HB1013, yet 25% of public school students are behind in math and reading. If they can't keep their own student population from failing, how could they possibly argue that homeschoolers success rate under the current law is because of their oversight?

>    Encourage Rep. Clymer to bring closure to his 34 years of public service by passing this bill and leave behind a lasting legacy for homeschoolers in our state since he is not running for re-election.

Secondly, if your school superintendent is homeschool friendly and favors HB1013 appeal for their support. You may have to print them a copy of the bill and to calm their concerns, show them page 3, starting at line 21 in particular. Then, ask them to call Rep. Clymer [717-783-3154] telling him that he or she is a school superintendent who approves the passage of HB1013. Rep. Clymer needs to hear from superintendents who support the bill.

Please pray for wisdom and direction for Representative Mark Gillen as he works to bring passage of HB1013 to the finish line. Praise God for growing homeschool advocacy at the Capitol.  

We are blessed by the perseverance we see in many of you and the degree of respect you show in the way you communicate with our elected officials. We are confident that what we don't see are the same, but many times over. A consoling promise from Scripture came to mind this morning that I trust we all take courage from: 

"When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, 

he causes their enemies to make peace with them."- Proverbs 16:7

LEGISLATORS WHO SUPPORT HOMESCHOOLERS

[Updated on June 4, 2014]

The current homeschool law was passed in 1988, 25 years ago, at a time when there was a great deal of skepticism about the viability of homeschooling as an educational option. As a result, Pennsylvania’s law remains one of the most restrictive in the nation, second only to New York. Homeschoolers in Pennsylvania have tried for over 10 years to get relief from the oppressive requirements of the current law. It is time for Pennsylvania to join the majority of states that have enacted laws that do not demand unreasonable and unnecessary government oversight of parents teaching their children at home.

On March 15, 2013, Rep. Mark Gillen introduced House Bill 1013, legislation that would:

• Eliminate the public school superintendent’s review of portfolios;

• Require superintendents to accept an evaluator’s determination that 

an appropriate education is occurring in the home education program;

• Provide for an administrative procedure to resolve any claim by 

the superintendent that the parent has failed to comply with 

any aspect of the homeschool law;

• Ensure that the home education program may continue during the time 

of any appeal of an adverse ruling by a hearing examiner; and

• Require that a high school diploma issued by the supervisor 

of a home education program be recognized the same as a diploma 

issued by the commonwealth.

To help homeschoolers know who among our representatives support home education, we will keep an updated list of the bill's supporters on this link.

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SPONSORS OF HB1013

Rep. Mark M. Gillen - PRIME SPONSOR

District 128

Republican, serving Berks County (Part) 

Rep. Ryan P. Aument

District 41

Republican, serving Lancaster County (Part)

Rep. Jim Cox

District 129 Map

Republican, serving Berks County (Part) 

Rep. Gordon Denlinger

District 99

Republican, serving Lancaster County (Part)

Rep. Jaret Gibbons

District 10

Democrat, serving Beaver County (Part), 

Butler County (Part), Lawrence County (Part)

Rep. Mauree Gingrich

District 101

Republican, serving Lebanon County (Part)

Rep. Rob Kauffman

District 89

Republican, serving Cumberland County (Part),

Franklin County (Part)

Rep. John Lawrence

District 13

Republican, serving Chester County (Part)

Rep. Kurt Masser

District 107

Republican, serving Columbia County (Part), 

Montour County, Northumberland County (Part)

Rep. Daryl Metcalfe

District 12

Republican, serving Butler County (Part)

Rep. David R. Millard

District 109

Republican, serving Columbia County (Part)

Rep. Harry Readshaw

District 36

Democrat, serving Allegheny County (Part)

Rep. Will Tallman

District 193

Republican, serving Adams County (Part), York County (Part)

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SUPPORTERS

Rep. Tim Mahoney

District 51

Democrat, serving Fayette County (Part)

Rep. Todd Rock

District 90

Republican, serving Franklin County (Part)

Rep. Jerry Stern

District 80

Republican, serving Blair County (Part)

Rep. Kerry Benninghoff

District 171

Republican, serving Centre County (Part), Mifflin County (Part)

Rep. Stephen Bloom

District 199

Republican, serving Cumberland County (Part)

Rep. Susan Helm

District 104

Republican, serving Dauphin County (Part)

Rep. Jesse Topper

District 78

Republican, serving Bedford County (Part), 
Fulton County, Huntingdon County (Part)

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Added, June 4, 2014
VOTED "YEA" TO PASS, OUT OF COMMITTEE

Rep. Mike Carroll
District 118
Democrat, serving Luzerne County (Part), Monroe County (Part)

Rep. Jim Christiana

District 15

Republican, serving Beaver County (Part)

Rep. James Clay, Jr.

District 179

Democrat, serving Philadelphia

Rep. Paul Clymer
District 145
Republican, serving Bucks County (Part) 

Rep. Joe Emrick

District 137 

Republican, serving Northampton County (Part)

Rep. Harold English

District 30

Republican, serving Allegheny County (Part)

Rep. Seth Grove

District 196

Republican, serving York County (Part)

Rep. Bernie O'Neill

District 29

Republican, serving Bucks County (Part)

Rep. Kathy L. Rapp

District 65

Republican, serving Forest County, McKean County (Part), Warren County

Rep. Mike Reese

District 59

Republican, serving in Fayette County (Part), Westmoreland County (Part)

Rep. Justin J Simmons

District 131

Republican, serving Lehigh County (Part), Northampton County (Part)

Rep. Dan Truitt

District 156

Republican, serving Chester County (Part)

Rep. Jake Wheatley Jr.

District 19

Democrat, serving Allegheny County (Part)


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ADDED SUPPORTERS AFTER JUNE 4's ED COM VOTE
[The sequence is as they come]

Rep. Marcy Toepel
District 147
Republican, serving Montgomery County (Part)

Rep. Michele Brooks

District 17

Republican, serving Crawford County (Part), Lawrence County (Part), Mercer County (Part)



Rep. Richard R. Stevenson

District 08

Republican, serving Butler County (Part), Mercer County (Part)

Rep. Bryan Cutler

District 100

Republican, serving Lancaster County (Part)

Rep. Michael P. McGeehan

District 173

Democrat, serving Philadelphia County (Part)