Author: Frank Schnorbus

SB 302 – Educational Savings Account (ESA) Bill

Considerable discussion has commenced over the summer on the new ESA Bill – SB 302. The State Treasurer has been charged by the Legislature as the “governing body” over implementation of this new “School Choice” program. To date, two workshops have been held by the Treasurer’s Office as they write regulations for the program.

NHN supports parents who choose to utilize the new ESA program. However, it must be noted that because this new school choice program is “publicly funded” it comes with “accountability measures” that make it more restrictive than some parents may want.

For parents who do not wish to receive money from the state for the education of their child, the Homeschool Law remains intact. Homeschool parents will continue to be able to take full responsibility for the education of their child FREE from government oversight.

There are many creative ways within the ESA Program for children to receive an education and this may be a viable option for some families in our state. However, as a “cost-savings measure” by the Legislature, eligibility for an ESA was limited to children “enrolled in a public school”. As a result, current private school and homeschool students are not eligible for the grant money but may become eligible by enrolling in a public/charter school “100 consecutive school days”. Once this requirement has been met parents may then apply for the ESA Grant and use a “Participating Entity” approved by the state to meet the compulsory school attendance law.

Parents considering this ESA program should be aware of the “accountability” requirements such as an annual standardized test being administered to an “Opt-in Child” by the “participating entity” providing the education. The test results must be reported to the State Treasure’s office for “review of academic progress” and the DOE for the “publishing of aggregate data” which may link these children to the State Longitudinal Data System. In addition, ESA Accounts will be audited by the State Treasurer’s office to review the “educational expenses” parents pay for with the account in an effort to prevent fraud and abuse.

To follow ongoing discussion on this topic we refer you to the NHN Facebook Page.

Parents wishing to learn more about an ESA Grant may refer to the NV State Treasurer’s website.

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Editor’s Note: 06/13/2017 –  The Nevada Legislature wrapped up their work on 6/5/2017 without funding the NV-ESA program.  SB 506 modified the 2015 program but consensus could not be reached. For details see our Self-funded Education Liberty vs. Public funded Education Choice (NV-ESA) post.

For now, while the ESA program remains in statute, there are no state finances allotted to the program and it is non-operational. The issue may or may not come up during the next Legislative Session in 2019… stay tuned.

Editor’s Note:  On Sept. 29, 2016 the Nevada Supreme Court ruled on two lawsuits brought against the NV ESA law,  16-30306 NV SC.Schwartz v. Lopez 09.29.16 .   The “funding mechanism” for the program being found unconstitutional the program has a permanent injunction on it.  A solution to the problem will need to be addressed by the 2017 Legislature.  9/29/16 Nevada Appeal

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8/23/2015 – the following describes the program passed in 2015 but never became a reality.

SB 302 – Educational Savings Account (ESA) Bill 

Considerable discussion has commenced on the new ESA Bill – SB 302. The State Treasurer has been charged by the NV Legislature as the “governing body” over implementation of this new “School Choice” program. To date, public workshops were held by the Treasurer’s Office in the writing of proposed regulations for the program.  However, two lawsuits were filed modalert against the program and awaiting final decision from the Nevada Supreme Court; decision expected mid-summer, 2016.

As always, NHN supports parents no matter the education option they choose to educate their children whether it be via public school, private school, homeschool or now the ESA Grant Program. However, it must be stressed that this new “school choice” program is “publicly funded” and as such, comes with “accountability measures” that make it more restrictive than some parents may want in comparison to homeschool freedom. There are many things to consider in choosing which education option is best for your child.

1. There are home based education programs already available to parents in this state that may look like homeschooling but simply are not the same under the law. These programs include; virtual charter schools (state sponsored, child receives education at home via internet classrooms), distance education (offered through the local public school, child receives education at home provide by the school district), and now an ESA Opt-in Child who receives their education from a “Participating Entity” approved by the State Treasurer and chosen by the parent. But in all these examples “accountability” to the government system of education prevails in some way.
2. In the new ESA Grant Program, a Nevada private school, college program, private online school, certified tutor/tutoring agency or a parent may apply to become a “Participating Entity” and must be approved by the State Treasurer. There are “accountability measures” the Participating Entity must meet to continue in the program. A parent who becomes a Participating Entity may purchase curriculum with grant money and provide instruction to the child themselves but they also must meet the same accountability measures required of other Participating Entities. This is where the differences between this new form of “home based education” and “homeschooling” become legally significant.
3. “HOMESCHOOLING” is for those parents who do not wish to receive money from the state, use a state approved program, nor be “accountable” to the state for the education of their child. For these families, the Homeschool Law remains intact. Parents of a Homeschool Child will continue to take full responsibility for the education of their child FREE from government oversight. Parents choosing to homeschool simply notify the local school district that they are homeschooling, there is no “approval” process.

There are many creative ways within the ESA Program for children to receive an education and this may be a viable option for some families in our state. However, as a “cost-savings measure” by the Legislature, eligibility for an ESA was limited to children enrolled in a public school. As a result, current private school and homeschool students are not eligible for the grant money but may become eligible by enrolling in a public/charter school “100 consecutive school days”. For a child who was previously homeschooled, the NOI to Homeschool on file with the local school district becomes null and void and the child becomes a public school student. Once the 100 day requirement has been met, parents may apply for the ESA Grant on behalf of the child and use a “Participating Entity” approved by the state for the education of the child. The child’s LEGAL school status is now an “Opt-in Child”, not a Homeschool Child

Parents considering the ESA program should be aware of the “accountability” requirements for the program such as an annual standardized test being administered to an “Opt-in Child” by the “participating entity” providing the education. The test results must be reported to the State Treasure’s office for “review of academic progress” (according to testimony provided by Senator Scott Hammond, sponsor of SB 302, to the Senate and Assembly Education Committees) and to the DOE for the “publishing of aggregate data” which may link these children to the State Longitudinal Data System. In addition, Education Savings Accounts will be audited annually by the State Treasurer’s office to review the “educational expenses” parents pay for with the account in an effort to prevent fraud and abuse.

To follow ongoing discussion on this topic we refer you to the NHN Facebook Page.

Parents wishing to learn more about an ESA Grant may refer to the NV State Treasurer’s website.

Dear Nevada Homeschoolers, 7/3/2015

NHN, once again, was very involved in this last legislature. Especially Barbara Dragon, who throughout the session almost single-handedly carried the weight of responsibility and action! Similar to a sports team there are times when the team is almost overwhelmed with injuries and rookies, and it’s the veteran who steps up to the plate at the most critical moments. Barb is our hero!

One issue that NHN worked on, that didn’t make it, is a privacy protection bill (SB 228) that declares that data belonging to and generated by a public, private or homeschool student belongs to that student, not to the government. NHN feels very strongly that this is critically important, and will continue to advance any efforts to get such a law passed. It is baffling sometimes to know how any legislator or anybody of any political persuasion (except those who advocate a totalitarian government) could oppose personal privacy. Clearly there are politicians who tell their constituents one thing, then vote the other way.

No doubt you’ve heard that Nevada has passed the most impressive, most amazing, law that allows parents to start an Educational Savings Account (ESA) for their child(ren). SB302 was a real challenge for NHN. Initially we opposed it because its initial wording blurred the lines between “true” homeschool parents who don’t want government money and the laws and regulations that accompany it, and those who are comfortable with accepting the money, laws and regulations. While we absolutely believe in parental choice in education, we also don’t want a law that forces regulations on freedom-loving individualistic homeschool families who are legally and effectively homeschooling their children. NHN worked with Senator Hammond, sponsor of SB302, who has been very supportive of homeschoolers. Our gratitude and thanks to Senator Hammond!

Our NHN website has been giving us fits lately, so right now I can’t give you a link to get more information. I’ll attach a document that NHN composed a couple of weeks ago that gives a thumb-nail sketch of what SB302 is (copied below). Essentially it is a new 4th type of legal schooling in Nevada: public, private, homeschooling, and an ESA opt-in child.

Also, below, I’d like to invite to read an article written January 6, 2011 by Dr. Brian Ray of NHERI (National Home Education Research Institute) entitled, What If? A Thought Experiment. NHN depends heavily on his research (as do most other homeschool advocacy groups and academics). I encourage you, if at all possible, to consider a donation to NHERI using the information below.

-Frank Schnorbus
Nevada Homeschool Network, Chairman

An ESA Grant shall[1]be awarded to a qualified public school student whose parent enters into a written agreement with the State Treasurer[2]. This will be an ESA Grant “Opt-in Child”[3] and is not a homeschooled child[4]. The approved “participating entity”[5] from which the Opt-in Child will receive instruction[6] may be one or a combination[7] of the following:

1. A “Grant School”, including;
   1. A licensed or exempt private school in this state[8];
   2. A private college or university, a state college or university, or a community college in this state[9];
   3. On-line schools that are not operated by the public school or the DOE[10];
2. A “Grant Tutor”, which can be either a tutor or tutoring facility that is accredited[11]; or
3. A “Grant Parent”
   1. Who has submitted to the school district or charter school in which the child was enrolled a Notice that the child is an approved ESA Grant Opt-in Child[12], and
   2. Complies with the requirements in SB 302 Section 12, Subsection 1, including ensuring that the child takes either a norm-referenced exam or an exam pursuant to NRS 389 in math and English language arts.

[1] SB 302 Sec. 11, Subsection 2

[2] SB 302 Sec. 7, Subsection 1

[3] SB 302 Sec. 15.1, Subsection 5 and Sec. 16.7, Subsection 1(c)

[4] SB 302 Sec. 7, Subsection 10 and Sec. 15.1, Subsection 3

[5] SB 302 Sec. 11, Subsection 1

[6] SB 302 Sec. 7, Subsection 1(a)

[7] SB 302 Sec. 7, Subsection 10; Sec. 8, Subsection 3; Sec. 9, Subsection 1(j); Sec. 11, Subsection 4; Sec. 15.1, Subsection 5

[8] SB 302 Sec. 11, Subsection 1(a)

[9] SB 302 Sec.11, Subsection 1(b) and Sec. 3.5, Subsections 1 and 2

[10]SB 302 Sec. 11, Subsection 1(c)

[11]SB 302 Sec. 11, Subsection 1(d)

[12]SB 302 Sec. 11, Subsection 1(e) and Sec. 16.4, Subsection 1

Dear Nevadans,

SB314, the law that would put in writing that the parental right to raise your child is a fundamental right, has cleared two major hurdles in less than a week! The bill was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, and now the bill is getting a work session by the same Committee. Many bills die in the legislature when they get a hearing but never move beyond that. Tomorrow, April 12th, is the last day for bills to be out of Committee.

The work session is where the Judiciary Committee will discuss the bill amongst themselves and decide to move the bill to the Full Senate, or to vote it down. They don’t (usually) take public testimony during a work session, but it can be informative and interesting to attend the hearing anyway, because this is where you hear what the Senators think now that they’ve heard all the testimony, heard your phone calls and seen your emails.

At this point does it do any good to email or call your Senator? It might! Emails may be more effective because each Legislator carries his/her own laptop everywhere. If you write, please be brief (just a few lines is more effective than pages), and be courteous!

Senator Tick Segerblom, Chair 775-684-1422 tsegerblom@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Ruben Kihuen, Vice-Chair 775-684-1427 Ruben.Kihuen@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Aaron Ford 775-684-6502 Aaron.Ford@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Justin Jones 775-684-1421 Justin.Jones@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Greg Brower 775-684-1419 Greg.Brower@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Scott Hammond 775-684-1442 Scott.Hammond@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Mark Hutchinson 775-684-1475 Mark.Hutchison@sen.state.nv.us

The Committee starts at 8AM! There are several other bills, so we don’t know exactly when SB314 will be addressed.

If you haven’t already, you can vote FOR SB314 at the Nevada Legislative opinion page Register your opinion!

Also, if you have time and haven’t done so already, drop Senator Mo Denis an email to thank him for sponsoring SB314! Moises.Denis@sen.state.nv.us

For more information, I suggest downloading the Parental Rights Pamphlet, and Scott Woodruff’s Testimony, both available on the Legislative NELIS website at https://nelis.leg.state.nv.us/77th2013/App#/77th2013/Bill/Meetings/SB314

Sincerely,
Frank Schnorbus
ParentalRights.org Liaison

SB 314 – Parental Liberty bill
We are pleased to report that SB 314 has been given a hearing date in the Senate Judiciary Committee next Tuesday, April 9th at 8:00 a.m. Members of ParentalRights.org/NEVADA will be present at the hearing to testify in favor of the bill along with HSLDA Attorney Scott Woodruff. Mr. Woodruff ushered similar language through the Virginia Legislature this past February and will provide expert testimony on SB 314.

We received an overwhelmingly positive response from concerned citizens in Nevada on the Legislative Opinion page. In less than 24 hours the bill moved on to the “TOP 50” list of bills and at last check was at #23! WE KNOW THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO NEVADA PARENTS… thanks for participating in the process but now there is more to do.

CALL TO ACTION:
1. Please call, email or fax members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and ask them to VOTE YES on SB 314. In your own words explain that, “SB 314 is a non-partisan bill, intended for the courts, and defines the right of parents to raise their children as a fundamental right. If passed, the law will protect the parent-child bond from intrusion by the state unless there is a compelling reason for the government to do so.” For a thorough explanation on the bill please refer to the Question & Answer pamphlet, The Right of Parents to Raise Their Child.

2. Plan to attend the hearing on Tuesday, April 9th at 8:00 a.m. The hour is early but we need to “pack the house” on this one in Carson City AND Las Vegas.
Room 2149, Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
Room 4412, Grant Sawyer State Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.
There is opposition to the bill. Families in attendance would show just how important the bill is to Nevada citizens.

Senate Judiciary Committee Contact Information
Senator Tick Segerblom, Chair 775-684-1422 tsegerblom@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Ruben Kihuen, Vice-Chair 775-684-1427 Ruben.Kihuen@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Aaron Ford 775-684-6502 Aaron.Ford@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Justin Jones 775-684-1421 Justin.Jones@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Greg Brower 775-684-1419 Greg.Brower@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Scott Hammond 775-684-1442 Scott.Hammond@sen.state.nv.us
Senator Mark Hutchinson 775-684-1475 Mark.Hutchison@sen.state.nv.us

To contact Senators by FAX or U.S. Mail:
By Fax: 1-775-684-6522
1-866-543-9941 Toll Free
By Mail: Nevada Legislature, Senate Judiciary Committee
401 Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701-4747

Background
In the event parents have to go to court to seek protection of their rights against government intrusion, courts first must decide whether the right is fundamental. If the judge decides the right is not fundamental, then the judge will allow the government to infringe on the right as long as it has a “rational” reason. But if the judge decides the right is fundamental, the government may infringe on the fundamental right only when there is a “compelling” reason to do so, showing there is no other way for the government to meet the very high standard.

As of today, there is nothing in Nevada statutes or the state constitution enunciating that parental rights are in the category of fundamental rights. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that parental rights are fundamental. However, some lower courts and local government officials have resisted compliance with U.S. Supreme Court rulings on this issue. Although Nevada courts have generally been good in recognizing parental rights, it is risky to depend on future court decisions to safeguard a fundamental parental right. This is the problem SB 314 will solve; it will simply give much better protection to parental rights than currently exists in Nevada law.

Opponents of a parental rights law often incorrectly assume that it would give parents a right to abuse their children. This is incorrect. Parents don’t have a right to abuse or neglect their children under Nevada statute, and that will not change if SB 314 becomes law. Rather, this law will simply provide an additional layer of protection afforded through legislative enactment to safeguard parents and children from intrusion by the government into the decision making process within the family unit.
Thank you for standing with us in championing the cause of parental rights in Nevada!
Sincerely,

Frank Schnorbus
ParentalRights.org/NEVADA Legislative Liaison

UPDATE: SB 314 – Parental Liberty bill

FROM: ParentalRights.org/NEVADA Legislative Liaison

SB 314 is a bill that will establish in Nevada law that the “liberty of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children is a fundamental right”. Currently Nevada parents must rely on the courts, citing federal and state court precedent, to preserve their fundamental right to make decisions for their children. SB 314 would take this same standard and codify it in state law, providing the courts a more solid foundation on which to base this right. It will not change the current standard of parental rights but merely protect the standard from shifting ideologies in the courts over time.

For more information on the bill please review the attached Question & Answer pamphlet, The Right of Parents to Raise Their Child. This resource answers 16 questions such as; “In a nutshell, what does SB 314 do?”, “Is the fundamental parental right to raise children a partisan issue?”, “How would this law help Nevada’s children?”, “Will this law jeopardize the welfare of children?” and more!

CALL TO ACTION: ParentalRights.org/NEVADA will be meeting with the sponsor of the bill, Senator Mo Denis, tomorrow. We are asking that if you have not already done so, please go online to the Nevada Legislative Opinion page today and vote “FOR” the bill. You may also leave written comments on the bill. In your own words simply express that you support “codifying parental rights as fundamental in state law”. This will help us show that Nevada parents are firmly behind this bill.

Thank you for standing with us in championing the cause of parental rights in Nevada!

Sincerely,

Frank Schnorbus
ParentalRights.org/NEVADA Legislative Liaison

Senator Joyce Woodhouse, Chair Senate Education Committee
Assemblyman Elliot T. Anderson, Chair Assembly Education Committee
Nevada State Legislative Senate and Assembly Education Committee Members

Dear Senator Woodhouse, Assemblyman Anderson, Committee Members,

By way of introduction, Nevada Homeschool Network (NHN) advocates for Nevada families who have chosen to direct the education of their children. In this capacity, we are writing today to oppose SB 182 as introduced.

Among other things, SB 182 will lower the compulsory attendance age for entry into school from 7 to 5 years of age. This requirement will apply to all children, whether their parents planned to send them to public school or private school or homeschool.

We have several concerns with SB 182 as introduced:
• While we believe that requiring school districts to provide all-day Kindergarten in every elementary school is not in the best interests of Nevada children and will create a financial burden for Nevada’s school districts it is not our intention to comment on that portion of the bill.
• According to the Home School Legal Defense Association, there are no long-term replicable studies proving that mandating attendance at age 5 rather than 7 is better for the educational development of the child. To the contrary, there is much more research indicating that early childhood education does not improve the child’s potential for being a better student in the future, because early gains disappear in a few years. This is especially significant for boys, because their cognitive and verbal skill development generally lags behind that of girls at this age.
• Thus, Nevada parents should continue to have the right decide when a child is ready to attend school. The current age of 7 gives parents that opportunity. Parents who desire to enroll their child at age 5 in Nevada can choose to do so already. To force children to start school before the age of 7 interferes with the parent’s fundamental right to direct the education of their children and to make wise choices regarding the readiness of their children for formal instruction.
• Further, lowering the compulsory attendance age from 7 to 5 will create an undue financial burden on parents who intend to enroll their child in private school but wish to wait until their child turns 7. And parents choosing to homeschool would now be required to submit a Notification of Intent to Homeschool at age 5 even if they have determined their child is not ready to begin formal instruction again, placing an undue burden on the family.

Article II, Section 2 of the Nevada Constitution states, “…the legislature may pass such laws as will tend to secure a general attendance of the children in each school district upon said public schools.” The key here is “tend to secure a general attendance” which is met under current law. Therefore, NHN requests that SB 182 be amended to leave the compulsory attendance age at 7-18. Parents should continue to have the authority to decide what is best for their children.

Respectfully,
Frank Schnorbus, Chair Elissa Wahl, Vice-Chair

Nevada Homeschool Network continues to keep an ear to the ground as we pass through this era of dynamic change in education. One issue that has come up on the radar as “something to watch” is the new Common Core national standards. Although on the surface this appears to be a public school issue, and a Federal one at that, there is danger whenever the Federal government has the ability (via the power of the purse) to tell the 50 States what and how to do something. In this case, in order to receive Federal money, Nevada must conform to federally driven standards for curriculum.

How does this affect homeschoolers? One way is to design college entrance exams around those Common Core standards. The College Board, a membership organization of colleges, recently chose David Coleman, an architect of common core, as their president. Here’s what he said in an interview with the New York Times, “We have a crisis in education, and over the next few years, the main thing on the College Board’s agenda is to deliver its social mission. … The College Board is not just about measuring and testing, but designing high quality curriculum.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/education/david-coleman-to-lead-college-board.html?_r=0

Of course, much as the Federal Highway Administration that administers our freeway system can control laws in the various States by withholding money to those States, a Federally controlled educational program can do the same in education. In her recent article on this subject Karen Effrem states:
“Supposedly, these standards have been voluntarily adopted by more than 40 states. In fact, by effectively conditioning eligibility for Race to the Top grants on participation in the Common Core, the Obama administration has forced economically pinched states to surrender control of their school curricula to the federal government.”
http://edlibertywatch.org/2012/09/states-starting-to-rebel-against-common-core/
Like many States, Nevada has a simple law for homeschooling. When wads of Federal money are waved in front of legislators, simple laws can easily be changed.

But not everyone is convinced that Common Core is taking education in the right direction. There is a growing chorus rising from all corners. Karen Effrem continues in the above referenced article:

“That brings the total to twenty-six out of forty-six and one half states that have accepted them or 56% who are rejecting or showing some kind of hesitancy or concern with implementing these unconstitutional, illegal and dumbed down, politically correct standards and their accompanying tests. This is very important good news for state and local autonomy, academic excellence, constitutionality and state budgets It is also very important for the maintenance of private and home schooling as viable alternatives to government education. (More new details on the dangers to private school autonomy via the Common Core and how the Romney education plan affects this issue will come next week. In the meantime, please see Imposing a Federal Curriculum on Private Schools – Why Voucher Programs that Require State Tests Are So Dangerous)”

Nevada has signed on to these common core standards, and it appears that our new State Superintendent James Guthrie is an advocate. Earlier this month Nevada was a participant in the “Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium” (SBAC) meeting in St. Louis; presumably Dr. Guthrie or one of his appointees was present. The SBAC is one of two groups that is doing the actual designing of the new curriculum.
http://smarterbalanced.cmail1.com/t/ViewEmail/r/DD1B795B6E1E2600/C6952CBCA791550DA29558A201773426

As educators, as Nevadans, and as concerned citizens we should all be aware, and concerned, about what is happening here. Nevada Homeschool Network will continue to watch this as it unfolds.

-Frank Schnorbus
Nevada Homeschool Network, Chairman

Assemblyman David Bobzien

Chairman, Assembly Education Committee
Via email: dbobzien@asm.state.nv.us

RE: AB 171

Dear Chairman Bobzien and committee members,

By way of introduction, Nevada Homeschool Network (NHN) seeks to advocate for the rights of parents to direct the education of their children.

We are writing today in regards to AB 171, specifically Section 10, numbers 9 and 11 that will impact homeschool parents.

Regarding Section 10.9. In discussions with Dr. Keith Rheault, Superintendant of Public Instruction on a bill submitted by the Department of Education, AB 41, the same language is found as here in AB 171. Dr. Rheault explained that the problem this language is attempting to correct arose from a state audit where formerly homeschooled students names were appearing on the rolls of public charter schools while still being listed as homeschool students with the district superintendent’s office.

We believe that this is an internal public school system problem, that is easily solved by the second sentence in the proposed language. When a parent enrolls their homeschool student in a public school or public charter school there should be a line on the enrollment form asking where the student was previously enrolled or what district the child was previously homeschooled in. With this information it then should be incumbent upon the public school or public charter school to notify the School District Superintendent that the child is no longer being homeschooled and has been enrolled in said public school or charter school. This will resolve the problem for the public school system of where a child is receiving education for the purposes of funding. The proposed language duplicates work that should logistically be handled by the public school the child is being enrolled in to and not the parent. Dr. Rheault agreed to request an amendment to AB 41 and we assume would be agreeable to the same for AB 171.

We are requesting that AB 171, Section 10.9 (and when appropriate, AB 41) be amended as follows (new language is in italics, requested deletion is [braketed]):
9. If a child who is or was homeschooled seeks admittance or entrance to any school in this
State, the school may use only commonly used practices in determining the academic ability, placement or eligibility of the child. [The parent of the child shall notify the superintendent of schools of the school district in which the child resides that the parent requests that the notice of intent to homeschool filed pursuant to this section be withdrawn.] If the child enrolls in a charter school, the charter school shall notify the board of trustees of the school district in which the child resides of the child’s enrollment in the charter school. A homeschooled child seeking admittance to public high school must comply with NRS 392.033.

Regarding Section 10.11 of AB 171. We are requesting that the names of the college entrance exams be replaced with their registered trademarked names rather than just their acronyms. In 2007, we purposefully requested the LCB to write out the names of these tests in full to avoid confusion for school administrators and parents with any other standardized tests such as the “Stanford Achievement Test (SAT)” which may be administered to public school students. We are requesting this section of AB 171 be amended as follows: (requested deletions in [braketed], new requested wording in bold italic) :
11. Each school district shall allow homeschooled children to participate in the high school proficiency examination administered pursuant to NRS 389.015 and all college entrance examinations offered in this State, including, without limitation, the [Scholastic Aptitude Test,][SAT] SAT®, the [American College Test,][ACT]ACT®, the Preliminary [Scholastic Aptitude Test] SAT and the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, PSAT/NMSQT®

We respectfully request these two amendments be made to AB 171 as written above.

Sincerely,

Frank Schnorbus
NHN Chairman

NHN Officers:
Barbara Dragon, Elissa Wahl, Laura Siegal, Kelley Millard-Radow