North Carolina Homeschoolers....DNPE

[eight_gregorys]

Hi,

 

I just received a letter from DNPE asking to do a yearly meeting (never done this before). It states the meeting is "voluntary", and I'm just wondering what you guys would do. I don't have an issue going, but it's kind of a pain. (I have six children 11 and under.) Plus, they are only asking to see the required documents i.e. recent testing, immunization, and attendance docs and anything I will "voluntarily" share. It just seems rather inconvenient and annoying. I'd rather mail it in or something. What do you think? Would you go? Does it matter?

 

Blessings,

 

Andrea

[Frontier Mom]

I sign up to do the voluntary sending in of my testing scores and attendance each June. I called HSLDA when this first came out and they suggested I do this. I think it precludes having to meet.

 

If you are a member of HSLDA, I would call and get their advice.

[purplemama]

My understanding is that you can mail these documents in rather than having a face to face meeting. I received a similar request when we recieved our paperwork to re-register last summer after our first full year of homeschooling. I have directions for this--there should have been some included with your request. You may want to call DNPE. I would suggest participating. It really is easy to homeschool in NC and voluntary participation with such a request (copies of mandatory recordkeeping) is a small thing to me if compliance is going to make it more likely that there won't be more restrictive control over homeschooling here. It really is a pain in some places.

 

Jennifer

[MamaT]

I also signed up to voluntarily send in my documents in June, so no meeting. I guess I would go, just to show I am homeschooling according to the NC laws. Maybe you could call them and ask if a meeting is really necessary if you are adverse to going. I would also suggest that you call HSLDA to get their advice if you are a member.

[Twinmom]

My understanding is that you can mail in the information to preclude a meeting, or require that they meet you at your home...but stay on the front steps! So, what I am saying is that you have options. If it were me, I'd contact them and tell them you are happy to help, but that you would like to mail in the information since you have a childcare issue. DPNE is a pretty supportive organization and in my experience is simply trying to ensure that the laws are followed, so I'd cooperate as much as you are able.

 

I'm betting they'll have no problem with this, as they are as busy as you are! ;) Oh, and one other point...I'm pretty sure you just have to show proof of testing and that you can block out the scores if you'd like. Personally, I've no problem with showing them my scores, but just wanted to let you know that I've read on NCHE/NCDNPE paperwork before that the law requires that you show proof of administering a test but doesn't state that you are required to show the test results.

 

Check here for more information:

 

http://nche.com/alerts/record_review_meetings.php

Edited April 6, 2009 by Twinmom

[eight_gregorys]

Thanks for the advice. It's not that I'm opposed to going. I have Lupus (even the slightest amount of UV rays make me flare) and getting ready to go on an outting in general is a big deal for me. I have to wear winter clothes in the middle of summer, apply sunblock every 45 minutes, ect. This includes just trips in the car. If you add to that that I get tired very easily...this truly becomes a real pain. So the kids and I have scheduled outtings every week so we aren't condemned to this house. If I go to this, that will be our outting for the week....which we would be very disappointing for them. Especially if I have other options for meeting the requirements.

 

Also, I remember there being a huge deal about these meetings last year. After reading the article from DNPE, I think I'll make the arrangements to send things in. I do understand the need to comply to state regulations. I have lived in another state where it was a lot more difficult to homeschool.

 

Blessings,

 

Andrea

[Christy B]

Just wanted to chime in my agreement with the suggestions that you work out mailing your things in; if you've not already discovered for yourself, DNPE is generally quite nice to work with.

 

I do object to DNPE asking for things that *technically* are outside the law, and try to take the opportunity to encourage folks to really understand what they are *legally* required to share. I understand the line of thinking that someone expressed of being happy to comply with a reasonable request; however, I sometimes question how eagerly we comply with requests that are outside the law (regardless of how reasonable they seem).

 

I spoke with someone at DNPE regarding my post card one year (I lost it in a move) and she was very straightfoward in telling me that legally they could not even ASK for that information, by mail or by any other means, much less demand a meeting. I think when the first round of post cards came out the wording was very intimidating; I believe they've since added the word "voluntary" in there somewhere.

 

Hope you get something worked out that you are comfortable with; definitely not worth investing your one outing a week! That should most certainly involve Starbucks or a bookstore!