“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9 The 59th Wyoming Legislature has drawn to a close. HOW sincerely appreciates the county contacts that “gear up” each year in expectation of bills that may encroach on the freedoms of parents and homeschooling families. One such bill was House Bill 40. Following is a brief summary of this proposed legislation. A “Thank you,” to all who become informed and involved in the legislative process-you do make a difference. HB 40 - Compulsory School Age - Dies Again Representative Deb Hammons and four other Wyoming legislators sponsored a bill this session to raise the age at which children can drop out of school from 16 to 17. This same change in Wyoming law has been attempted before and has always been defeated. This year, the bill included a provision that a school district could excuse a 17 year old from school if his or her parent or guardian gave written consent. (Note: children who have completed the 10th grade can currently drop out and that would not have changed under the bill.) Representative Hammons contacted Clint Beaver of the HOW Board before the session and asked if HOW would provide language to insert into the bill that would exempt homeschooled children from the proposed age increase. Clint consulted with Mike Donnelly of HSLDA. Mike responded to Rep. Hammons with language that would have exempted homeschool parents from having to notify school districts of homeschool children after the age of 15. Although the bill sponsors agreed to add Mike’s provision to the bill, the matter became moot when the bill died in the House Education Committee on a 5-4 vote. There is continuing pressure throughout the country for states to expand compulsory school ages to both younger tots and older teens. There is no evidence that expanding the age improves graduation rates. But, passing a law raising the age is easier for the education establishment than actually doing anything to improve high schools so that students want to stay in school. The HSLDA and HOW have consistently questioned the value of these bills as a matter of public policy and actively opposed them when applied to homeschooled children. Aside from HB 40, there were no other bills in which HOW was directly involved. Sincerely serving, Clinton Beaver & the HOW Board © Copyright 2002-2007 H.O.W.