Posted by Susan Richman on November 11 2005 at 12:21:58:
In Reply to: Re: Press Release from Governorīs Office about signing ceremony posted by lpk on November 10 2005 at 23:09:11:
Excellent idea to encourage all homeschoolers to write to the Governor to thank him for his support of this legislation. I feel we should also thank Governor Rendell for his insights and support of *homeschooling* that is evidenced by his press release. We had never previously had any statement from the Governor´s office that gave any indication on how he felt about homeschoolers-- I truly think his involvement in looking carefully into this legislation has opened his eyes to the good things that homeschooling families are doing in Pennsylvania, and to the dedication these parents have in offering a well-rounded and challenging program to their children. As a Democrat, and someone who therefore has to listen also to the main teachers´ union, who opposed the bill, this is a remarkable statement-- I really feel that we are going to see a positive impact in how local districts view homeschoolers, as they follow the governor´s lead. I can also see that homeschooling families with doubting grandparents may find it useful to show them what our Governor thinks about homeschooling families.
This is truly a win-win situation. It is also clear that the Governor was very moved by the personal stories that many homeschooling families shared about their frustrated dealings with districts on this issue-- this became a *personal* picture of children who just wanted a chance to continue to play and interact with their friends in the sports they loved, and not just an abstract and faceless issue. All of your letters made a real difference-- and now we know that they were really read, and not merely tallied up as so many ´pro´ and so many ´con´.
A contrasting picture of what the Governor *might* have done can be found in how Governor Casey handled the passage of the original homeschool legislation back in 1988. He did not invite any homeschoolers to his actual signing of the bill, but only to a ´photo op´ a month later. There was no press coverage of the event, and he did not make any public statement in support of homeschooling families at all. Governor Rendell has now come out on record in recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of homeschooling families, and the very diverse range of families who opt for homeschooling in this state. This is a remarkable accomplishment-- one that *all* homeschooling families will benefit from, whether or not they choose to take part in any extra-curriculars in their local school district.
Below is a link to the main website for the state government, and you can click on either the PA House or the PA Senate in order to find links to each Senator or Representative's website where you can find their addresses and phone numbers and sometimes their e-mail addresses. Especially remember to thank the legislators who sponsored this bill and its companion bill in the House (see the Pennsylvania Homeschoolers press release).
Sincerely,
Susan Richman, PA Homeschoolers co-editor