Thread by @samanthapfield

So the governor of South Dakota, apparently without prompting and with no explanation, asked the State Affairs office to write a bill getting rid of the assessment provision in the SD's homeschool statute.

This is bad.

South Dakota is one of precious few states (it's 1 of 10) that has any kind of assessment provision that can actually be enforced, and it's minimal. Currently, homeschool students in SD take a test in grades 4, 8, and 11. Here's the part that makes SD one of the better states:

If a student's scores are low, the local school board can intervene (they usually don't, but that's a cultural problem not a legislative one). In South Dakota, if a homeschool student is neglected, *something* could be done about it.

HB 1065 tosses all that out the window.

Do you know what can happen when there's no assessment requirement, and no ability to intervene if a student's education is suffering? Stories like mine. Stories like the ones people have been sharing and mourning in #ExposeChristianHomeschooling.

If HB1065 is passed in South Dakota, here's what could happen:

Girls aren't taught math/ science because they're only allowed to be a "keeper at home."
Kids like my pastor's son don't learn how to read.
I don't get more than an 8th grade education.

#ExposeChristianHomeschooling

If you're a South Dakota resident-- even if you're not a homeschooler! This should matter to everyone, regardless-- or were homeschooled in South Dakota, please consider calling the members of the House Education Committee. I can get you all their phone numbers and e-mails.

and please remember to be nice when you call or e-mail! HSLDA- and SDCHEA- whipped up mobs can be incredibly ugly to legislators. Manners, etiquette, and respectfulness go a long way around this particular issue.