CHEWV

Author: CHEWV

  • Mom to Mom: Our Time

    Mom to Mom: Our Time

    Frodo: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.

    Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.

    What to do with the time that is given to us?  Many are asking that simple question lately.  There are “other forces” at work in the world…besides the will of evil. Our trust is not in this world, but in the God who created it – the same One who said, “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly!”  (John 10:10) Are we showing our children a fearful life during this uncertain time, or an abundant one?

    While the older homeschoolers remember life before electronics and bulging schedules, most of us have the opportunity to relive that time and to experience a “simpler” home experience.  So, let’s begin a month of abundant living! Each day we can set aside time to really enjoy this month of fewer outside responsibilities. Here are some simple ideas to help.

    1. Do an activity YOU enjoy.  Individual choice, group choice, your choice!
    2. Put the phone down and have fun with each other.
    3. Smile!  See how many times you can respond with a smile when catching eyes with someone.
    4. Breathe.  Have you ever practiced deep, relaxed breathing?
    5. Send a note to someone.
    6. Journal.  Whether through writing, art, or photography, express thanks or chronicle the events of the day.
    7. Walk outside and look for something intriguing!  You may be surprised at what you find.
    8. Read a child’s book aloud.  So many simple lessons to absorb.
    9. Sing. Dance.  Let music float through the house.
    10. Memorize some comforting Scriptures – together as a whole family.  Make it fun!
    11. Spend more time outdoors.  Weed the flower garden, sketch the early spring blossoms, play tag.
    12. Pray.  Make blessings and thankfulness your number one focus.

    We wish none of this had happened in our time, but here we are.  Now, what will we do with the time that is given to us? We can begin to put those “other forces” to work in making our own little world full of life – and life more abundant!

  • Help! I Need a Portfolio Review This Year

    Help! I Need a Portfolio Review This Year

    But I’ve Never Done One Before!

    With all the changes COVID-19 has brought to our lives, you may be wondering how to get your annual homeschool assessments done. If you usually test your students, this year you may find yourself considering a portfolio review instead. Here are some points to help you traverse this new territory.

    First, several portfolio reviewers around the state are not only comfortable doing remote reviews but are willing to help parents who have never prepared an “official portfolio.”  You can find a list of reviewers at this link.

    Second, since a portfolio is simply a gathering of samples, ithttps://new.chewv.org/assessments/wv-portfolio-reviewers/ can be done with less fanfare than you might think. This year most reviewers will not be able to review physical portfolios as they might have done in years past – so you’re not alone!  Therefore, portfolios needn’t necessarily be worksheet or paper-based entirely. Creative solutions might include having your child read over FaceTime or Facebook Messenger Video in order to demonstrate their grade-appropriate reading ability. Pictures of science projects or field trips can help substantiate active learning. And if you do need to show workbook pages or math problems, you can easily take a picture of various samples and text them to the reviewer. Everything must be a bit more creative this year. “Samples” of work can also be uploaded to Pinterest, Facebook, Dropbox, Google Drive, and many other options.

    Last, think of your reviewer as a fellow homeschool mom! Most portfolio reviewers are (or have been) homeschool moms themselves. They have experienced the differences in individualized teaching at home versus classroom teaching. For example, this encouraging article is a classroom teacher’s comparison of her teaching in school versus her teaching at home. Don’t envision the reviewer as a teacher who is ready to find fault. Instead, view this as an opportunity to chat with another mom who has studied education and may have helpful pointers – or much-needed encouragement.

    If you are leaning toward a portfolio review this year in lieu of testing, we encourage you to contact reviewers and chat with them about how they’d like to see your work. That first conversation could allay all your concerns. 

    Finally, remember that the June 30th deadline applies only to students in 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th grades. While ALL students must still be assessed this year, you have much more time for students in other grades. 

    For more details about this year’s requirements, click here.

    I always get to where I’m going by walking away from where I’ve been. 

    – Winnie the Pooh 

  • New Law Expands Homeschooler Access

    to Public School Sports & Extracurricular Activities

    After years of legislative debate and the near passage of similar legislation, Governor Jim Justice signed into law House Bill 4925, making public school extracurricular activities more accessible to West Virginia homeschoolers.  The new law, which amends W. Va. Code § 18-2-25, establishes the eligibility of homeschool students for public school athletics and extracurricular activities at the school within their attendance zone.  Homeschoolers must also satisfy the following requirements:

    1) demonstrate “satisfactory evidence of academic progress for one year” as provided in the homeschool exemption statute (§18-8-1(c));

    2) enrollment in in at least one virtual course per semester;

    3) younger than 19 years of age by August 1st of the current school year;

    4) amateur status, i.e., receives no compensation;

    5) agreement to comply with “all disciplinary rules” of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) and county board of education; and

    6) agreement to obey all WVSSAC rules regarding awards, all-star games, parental consents, physical examination, and vaccinations applicable to high school athletes.

    The law also applies WVSSAC transfer rules to homeschool students who withdraw from public schools.  In that situation, if the student withdrew from school during the academic year, the newly homeschooled student would be prohibited from participating in sports at that school (or potentially another WVSSAC school) for one year, per WVSSAC regulations.

    Finally, the law permits the imposition of “reasonable fees” to cover the costs of participation in extracurricular activities. 

    Based on comments by WVSSAC Executive Director Bernie Dolan, the WVSSAC is expected to adopt implementing rules this summer, which should ensure homeschooler eligibility for the 2020 fall sports season.  County boards of education also may adopt special rules in response to this law. These rules could address any other conditions regarding the required virtual school course and the imposition of any participation fees, among other questions potentially left unanswered by the law.  Therefore, homeschooling families who plan to take advantage of these new opportunities will need to follow developments on a state and county level in the coming months.

  • HSLDA Weighs In

    HSLDA Weighs In

    The West Virginia Department of Education released a memo citing the impact of the coronavirus to recommend that county boards give homeschoolers a sort of grace period until December 31, 2020 if they submit a standardized test as their annual assessment.

    This grace period does not apply to those submitting other forms of assessment.  Although the WVDE does not have authority to change the law, it is an influential authority and most counties defer to its guidance.

    To read the balance of Mike Donnelly’s response to the WVDE Statement issued yesterday, click here.

    For CHEWV’s response, click here.

  • The State of 2020 Assessments

    The State of 2020 Assessments

    Do we still have to do them?

    Yesterday the WV State DOE issued a statement strongly encouraging counties to accept homeschool testing results through December 31.  This should be a relief to any homeschool instructors who have 3rd, 5th, 8th or 11th graders and who are worried about meeting the June 30th deadline for submission. 

    Still, CHEWV encourages you to turn in results as close to June 30th as possible.  While we are grateful for the support of the State DOE and Dr. Burch, they only provide guidance to counties. 

    Homeschool requirements are legislated.  We homeschool according to the WV code, not according to the standards of the public school. The only way to change the homeschool code’s requirements is to have a new law passed in one of the legislative sessions.  That is why we all have the privilege of talking with our legislators and weighing in before any changes can happen to the hard-earned homeschool statute.  What a blessing that things can’t change willy-nilly! 

    Remember, the fact that we homeschool according to state code is why you don’t have to wait for the school’s approval before homeschooling.  As long as you follow the requirements of the code, you are good. 

    It’s also why the requirements of the school system don’t apply to you.  You don’t have to school 180 days.  You don’t have to take summers off.  You don’t have to be vaccinated in order to educate your children.  And you can take Bible for a full credit if you want – and educate through a Biblical worldview. 

    But, in this case, it also means that the public schools’ testing requirements (or lack thereof this year) don’t affect us directly.  In and of itself, they are superfluous. State code requires that we complete an annual assessment and submit the results for 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th grades by June 30th.

    The only real way to change that requirement is for the legislature to change the law, even if temporarily.  We have considered whether it’s legally feasible or possible to get a waiver or extension from the governor.  However, homeschooling leadership, under advisement from our attorneys, have determined that the longterm risks of such a waiver outweigh any perceived benefit. 

    Although the legal requirements, including the June 30th deadline, remain intact, the statement from the State DOE will help prepare the way for grace should families have difficulty meeting the deadline.

    CHEWV, WVHEA and HSLDA continue to encourage you to pursue your annual assessments as always, taking advantage of the many alternatives that are now available. 

    Who is Affected by the June 30th Deadline?

    First, the deadline only applies to 3rd, 5th, 8th, and 11th graders.  The deadline is for when those grades must be submitted.

    But for all other grades, assessments just need to be completed before the next school year begins.  Assessments are year-specific.  It’s an annual assessment for each school year.

  • 2020 Assessment Deadline Update

    2020 Assessment Deadline Update

    Please Don’t Call the WVDE

    Some homeschool parents are concerned about getting assessment results in time for the June 30th deadline in light of the COVID-19 guidelines and the cancellation of test centers.

    Both the WVHEA and CHEWV have been in contact with the state BOE. Dr. Derek Lambert has spoken with and emailed both organizations. John Carey is also conferring with legislative leadership and attorneys.

    Here is what we know thus far:

    * The state DOE assures us that they believe county superintendents will show understanding if assessment results are delayed.
    * Because state DOE attorneys have a large number of issues to address at present, this issue will be addressed by them in the coming weeks.

    IT’S ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR ANNUAL ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. Homeschool requirements are legislated; we homeschool under the requirements of State Code 18-8-1. The only reason we have conferred with the state DOE is because there is a possibility that the State Superintendent could make an emergency rule that would hold the weight of law until the legislators again meet. However, whether he can or not hasn’t been determined by attorneys.

    THEREFORE, IT’S IMPORTANT THAT HOMESCHOOLERS DO NOT BOMBARD THE STATE DOE WITH PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS. Please let the two state groups work on your behalf. Overwhelming the DOE will only slow down the process.

    Please understand that the fact that we homeschool under state code, not under the DOE, is a very positive blessing! While that means the school system might not be able to relieve this immediate burden, it also assures that they cannot change aspects of homeschool  requirements at other times either.  That’s why we have been able to combat attempts to “approve” homeschooling, “approve” homeschool curriculum, or otherwise add to the requirements of 18-8-1. Only legislative bills can affect the requirements of WV homeschoolers – which is why we remain active each legislative session.

    While we all try to figure out what to do right now with assessments, here are some options to consider:

    * Online testing. Both state organizations are prepared to help you with that option.

    * Private testing. Both state organizations offer private testing in homes.

    * If testing options do not work, portfolio review may be a viable alternative. Several reviewers on our list have offered to work with families who need help this year. Before worrying, we highly recommend that you contact some reviewers and ask what they’d need to see and how you could provide the material to them. Keep in mind that options like photographing work, uploading content, speaking over the phone, and Skyping do exist. You might be surprised at how doable this might be for a creative teacher! And on the side, you could be given some valuable pointers! Before panicking because you have not kept a portfolio, start with the facts instead – from the reviewers. Each teacher, like each parent, is different, so be prepared to touch base with a few and ask questions. Most are well aware of the issue at hand! They want to help.

    Unfortunately, there is an expectation from the school system that several homeschool families never turn in assessments at all. That puts all homeschoolers at a disadvantage when asking for an extension.  As a community, we should assertively discourage any “working around” the law. Skipping grades or otherwise avoiding submission of assessment results every 2-3 years as required, is harmful to the entire homeschool community! Be willing to speak up to any homeschooling parents you know who are not homeschooling with integrity.

    Both WVHEA and CHEWV have been serving homeschoolers in this state for over 30 years. We are here to help. To contact CHEWV about assessment options, contact Becky Price at testing@chewv.org.

    And please help us quickly disseminate accurate information by forwarding to your local groups and homeschooling friends.

  • New Member Resource: Annual Assessment Tracker

    New Member Resource: Annual Assessment Tracker

    As a free members-only resource, CHEWV will soon be sending our newly-created Annual Assessment Tracker to all our members.

    While WV homeschooling families no longer need to submit assessment results to their County Board of Education every single year, assessments – either a standardized test or portfolio – ARE mandated annually by state law for each homeschooled student.  These yearly assessments must be kept on hand for three years for WV homeschool students.   Comparison year-to-year is necessary to know if either remediation or “additional evidence of appropriate instruction” is required in any given year.  Now, thanks to our new Annual Assessment Tracker form, it is easier than ever to determine that comparison!

    The annual assessment is an important tool in the parents’ arsenal to help us know whether our children are progressing well.  As we compare this year’s assessment with the test scores or portfolio records of previous years, we get a long-view picture of strengths and weaknesses that can help us as we plan upcoming course content (curriculum).

    Diligently keeping consistent, accurate records of our children’s progress is not only required by WV law and useful to parents, but it’s also a proactive weapon against those in power who may try to impose increased regulations or restrictions on us.  The 2020 WV Legislative Session (which ended for the year on March 7th), was marked by multiple threats to homeschooling freedom, mostly behind the scenes, due to a growing narrative that homeschooling families are irresponsible and dilatory.  This new resource is a simple, practical way to help us follow the law and keep good records.  We want to be above reproach!

     It’s a pleasure for CHEWV to provide resources to our faithful members – to help make your homeschool journey just a bit simpler.  This new tool is one of several member resources that we hope to offer in the upcoming months.  If you are a CHEWV member, watch for our new Annual Assessment Tracker form in your Inbox soon!

  • 2020 Legislative Roller Coaster

    While CHEWV has made only limited public statements about the happenings during the 2020 Legislative session, it is not due to lack of legislative activity related to homeschooling!  On the contrary, this session has been somewhat of a roller coaster.  At times, emails were drafted to call our members to action, and we were ready to push the send button.  Why didn’t we?  Because a well-prepared explanation from John Carey or data compiled by CHEWV would abate the concern – at least temporarily.

    Our legislative liaison, John Carey, and many vigilant homeschoolers have been at the capitol from January through March to speak with legislators, address concerns, and monitor worrisome bills introduced in the 2020 legislative session.

    So, what went well?

    Communication. 

    • Early in the session, we learned about HB 4440 (Raylee’s Law).  You can read about this bill HERE.  While the intent of those who sponsored the bill was honorable, the wording of the bill itself was problematic – perhaps even unconstitutional.  As the bill gained traction, CHEWV and HSLDA alerted WV homeschoolers to contact their legislators and explain the faulty reasoning included in the bill.  Basically, homeschool law already provides the legal means for the county to deny homeschooling using due process.  Thanks to the quick response of our homeschoolers, the bill remains in committee where it is dead for this session.
    • CHEWV and John Carey then spent the remainder of the session communicating with legislators to counter opposition from other lobbyists.

    Throughout 2019, various news articles had surfaced across the state hinting that counties were having issues with “homeschooling” related to truancy.  CHEWV proceeded to meet with former State Superintendent Steven Paine about this issue and others; a report of the meeting can be found HERE.  In the meeting, John Carey and CHEWV Board members addressed Paine’s concerns while raising some concerns of their own, including the lack of credible and consistent reporting from county school systems regarding homeschool enrollment. 

    Nevertheless, news articles continued to surface, and county and state officials began sharing concerns with legislators.  Officials continued to point to homeschooling as an “escape” from truancy issues, despite the fact that the homeschool law and truancy law provide legal means for the counties to address this issue.  During the 2020 Legislative Session, CHEWV and Mr. Carey worked countless hours answering questions, researching statistics, providing factual examples, and communicating information to legislators.  Several times it appeared that more regulation would emerge as the only answer to legislators’ concerns, but then hearts and minds would be changed! 

    What to do going forward…

     1.  Be vigilant.  With homeschooling becoming more and more a popular educational option, resistance is bound to occur.  Public schools see homeschoolers as a loss of revenue.  Some legislators continue to cite that one proverbial family who has been riding ATVs during the day for years now.  The public’s impression of homeschooling varies depending on the homeschooling family they know or their perception of what homeschooling should look like.  The harsh truth is that homeschoolers and homeschooling are being scrutinized in WV on all fronts.  Many people still do not understand how a non-professional could provide a good education to their own children, how education can take place in the evening as well as during the day, how a ten-year-old would not know what “grade” they are in, how a second grader may not be reading yet, and a myriad of other practices found amongst homeschoolers.  And those who don’t really understand the nuances of homeschooling often feel that it requires additional oversight. 

    So, how can each one of us help? 

    • Be accountable.  Make sure that your child is getting the quality education a caring parent would want their child to receive. 
    • Be ready to give informative answers about the tailored facets of home education.  

    2.  Be Positive.  Homeschooling provides a wealth of amazing opportunities that go far beyond school books and online classes. Educating at home enables families to tailor each and every subject to fit each and every student’s needs.  Students can pause, practice, explore, research and read about a topic, as opposed to just completing an assignment and checking off a box. Through this unique learning environment, conversations occur which build family relationships. Instead of peer pressure that tears down, home education offers opportunities to build confidence and overall well-being, while happiness occurs naturally as concepts are explored and then mastered.  As you take advantage of these opportunities, ask yourself if you are being a positive example in word and deed.  Yes, homeschooling is work, but by grabbing onto all of the positive aspects of the process, your family becomes a positive influence.

    While we live in a state not yet deemed as homeschool-friendly as other states, we have made progress throughout 34 years of working together.  In the early decades, it was extremely hard to make any improvements.  But in the last 10 years we have been blessed by positive progress.  Even when regulation was higher, homeschoolers were still met with the same arguments we hear today.  There is always “that” family who is not meeting someone’s expectations.  Be vigilant. Be positive.  Defending our freedoms together, we can counter the naysayers and help change hearts and minds!

  • Legislative Recap: 2020 Session

    Legislative Recap: 2020 Session

    My first Legislative Report of the 2020 Session began with acknowledging that the growth of homeschooling is now seen as a threat.  I predicted that we might see introduction of legislation to stem the growth of homeschooling or to increase regulation.  We saw both.  

    The first pushback legislation was HB 4440 and its twin SB 637.  This legislation, while ostensibly well-meaning, challenged the “innocent until proven guilty” tenet of American freedom. CHEWV posted extensively about the perceived threat in this article – which included a call to action. If passed, HB 4440 would have established a precedent that homeschooling should be viewed as a risk factor for child abuse. I believe that this assumption of guilt, rather than innocence, would have led to even more regulation of homeschooling in the future.  Why?  Because once established, legislators would have used this legislation to justify further homeschooling restrictions.  We currently have the freedom to teach our faith and raise our children as God directs, but if the presumption of innocence were removed just because someone chose to homeschool, that would represent a departure from one of the most sacred principles in the American criminal justice system.  Gratefully, the bill languished in committee.

    However, this was not end of the threats to limit homeschooling or to increase regulation.  As explained in greater detail in this article, CHEWV and I continued to address questions about the validity and success of homeschooling throughout the entire session. By God’s grace alone, we avoided increased regulation that was heavily and steadily promoted by opposing lobbying groups.   

    Homeschool Sports Legislation

    As expected, and also addressed in my January 21st Report, sports access legislation was introduced, heavily debated, and finally passed in an inferior form. 

    We believe it is important that our members are aware that CHEWV’s primary purpose legislatively is to ensure that parents continue to have the freedom to direct the education of their children as God leads them.  Guided by this commitment to safeguard our freedoms, CHEWV prayerfully resolved over fifteen years ago to intentionally engage in the shaping and passage of any proposed legislation to permit homeschoolers’ participation in public school sports programs.  To this end, whenever such legislation has arisen, we have assisted in the crafting of legislation, provided testimony before committees, and expressed our concerns to state legislators.

    When asked if we supported sports participation, we stated in committee that while sports participation was a privilege, homeschooled children should be permitted to try out for teams in their area, and this was because their parents believed these programs to be of benefit to their children.  While we supported sports legislation in this way, we made it clear to legislators that our home education freedoms must be maintained and advanced.

    Since 2006, many families have worked each year to encourage passage of a Tim Tebow bill.  These families have come from all over the state of West Virginia.  Their efforts in recent years even resulted in the passage of Tebow legislation in 2017, only to then see the governor veto their bill.  Each year, their efforts have been supported not only by both the Senate and House Education Chairs , but also by many of the members on their respective committees who feel passionately about this issue.  The legislative supporters view it as an issue of fairness, since homeschooling parents’ taxes fund sports programs.  They also sincerely believe that participation in sports programs is beneficial to a child’s development.

    This year’s legislation is making its way to the Governor’s desk, to await his response.  Details are outlined here.

    Defending Freedoms

    Not only did homeschoolers respond to our call to action related to Raylee’s Law, but homeschool families came out in large numbers on February 4th  for Home School Day at the Capitol.  CHEWV, WVHEA, and HSLDA all put out a call asking homeschooling families to come, and reports indicate that over 600 attended in order to put a positive face on homeschooling.  Along with behind-the-scenes efforts, the direct involvement of homeschooling families makes all the difference!  Never underestimate the impact of your presence, nor the power of prayer.  We have seen His hand move mountains time and time again.   

    Now that the session is over and the 2020 election approaches, consider who you would like to see representing you at the State Capitol.  Is the candidate or incumbent someone who thinks well of parents who opt to educate their children outside of the public school system? Or does he or she view your efforts to protect your family as a reason to be suspicious of your intentions and character? Take a stand with those who respect and value your choice to homeschool.

    Finally, we remind you that Christian homeschooling is constructed on the vital pillars of parental rights and religious freedom. The Bill of Rights upholds the right of parents to direct their children’s education, and the courts have agreed.  Since this legal precedent has come under substantial attack across the nation in the past couple decades, it is good to be reminded of these court decisions:

    Wisconsin v. Yoder in 1972: 

    “The history and culture of Western civilization reflect a strong tradition of parental concern for the nurture and upbringing of their children. This primary role of the parents in the upbringing of their children is now established beyond debate as an enduring tradition.”

    Pierce v. Society of Sisters

    “The child is not the mere creature of the state; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right and the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.”

    It is a privilege for me to represent the homeschooling community at our State Capitol.  Thank you for your prayer and financial support.  A special thanks is in order to those who gave to our first-time-ever legislative fund.  Not only does this fund directly offset costs of our lobbying effort, it frees up other member monies to serve homeschooling families.  

    Defending freedoms, serving families…together

  • The Homeschool Sports Bill is Headed to the Governor’s Desk

    On March 4th, during the final week of the 2020 Regular Session, the House Sports Bill was passed by the State Senate. In order to attain passage, it had to be merged into a bill that opened up the same section of the law into which the sports bill was written. So, on Wednesday the 4th, HB 3127, the homeschool sports bill, was merged into HB 4925 by Senator Rucker on the floor of the State Senate.

    Access the language of HB 4925 here. The sports provisions are located in section “d.” of HB 4925.

    Below is a summary of the stipulations of the bill:

    · Satisfactory evidence of academic progress for one year, in compliance with homeschool instruction statutory provisions, provided that the student’s test results are within or above the 4th stanine in all subject areas.

    · Enrollment in at least one virtual instructional course per semester, consistent with county board policy and the state board.

    · The student has not reached age 19 by August 1 of the school year.

    · The student is an amateur who receives no compensation.

    · Agreement to comply with all disciplinary rules of the SSAC and the county board; and

    · Agreement to obey all rules of the SSAC.

    · If a homeschooled student would leave a member school during the school year, the student would have to follow the same transfer protocols that apply to member-to-member transfers, Senator Rucker said.

    It is expected that the legislation will be sent to the Governor by the end of this week. Because so many bills are passed during the last week of the session, each of which must be prepared for the Governor’s signature, there is a delay before they reach the desk of the Governor. Once the Governor receives HB 4925, he will have 15 days to sign, veto, or allow the legislation to become law without his signature.

    Now is a good time for sports-access supporters to send Governor Justice a simple message requesting that he support the homeschool sports bill.