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August 12

Welcome to the New and Improved CAIL Web

With new information about how CAIL can help your Public School District start a Homeschool Enrichment Program. If you would like to see a homeschool enrichment program in your public school please go to the "Contact us" page and send us a message with your school district information. 

***SALE*** Enroll before September 1, 2008 to take advantage of 2007/08 tuition pricing.

March 01

ONLINE Reporting NEW!!!!

Now CAIL has secure online record keeping included with yearly tuition. 
CALL for more information (719) 749-0200
or EMAIL us with your questions  CONTACT US
February 26

HB08-1004

Enforcement of Compulsory Attendance laws by Uniformed officers.
I apologize for the late posting of this update.
This bill was killed by the Judicary Committee.  Summary of Bill 
The bill raised too many 4th amendment issues that could not be resolved.
February 12

Pikes Peak Library Events (Colo. Sprs)

Homeschool Artists Showcase @ East Library
Submissions are due during the week of Feb. 25 for the March showcase.
For more information contact Mary at 531-6333 x 1407
 
Teen Tech week March 2-8
Photo editing for Homeschool teens
call 531-6333 x1317 to register
space is limited
 
 
January 31

Bills Killed

 HB08-1093 Student Payment Basic Skills Courses, and HB08-1081 Tax Credits for Education, have both been killed.
January 18

House Ed Committee Jan 17,2008

View All Legislative entries HERE

 

HB08-1004

Law Enforcement Agencies to working with School Districts in Enforcing Compulsory School Attendance Laws.

This bill has been laid over until some concerns brought up during testimony can be resolved.  There was some very passionate and compelling testimony on this bill. 

 

Eleven citizens were present to provide testimony both in support and for opposition. The most compelling testimony given was by an attorney expressing great misgivings about the language of the bill and the lack of definition of important terms like probable cause for one. 

 

Another homeschool/family advocate was present and provided testimony in opposition and alternate wording for this bill provided by her attorney.  When asked if homeschoolers should be carrying papers and proof of homeschooling status the advocate answered no they should not.  I am in agreement with this.  Being compelled to carry papers or proof of our legal status seems to erode our natural rights as parents.  In my view a right ceases to be a right when it forces someone else to do something they do not want.

 

In support of the bill members of the Aurora Police department were there bringing with them statistics. Members of the Colorado Association of School Boards, Colorado Education Association, Aurora Public Schools Superintendent.  All speaking regarding the “village” effort necessary to keep kids in school.

 

These concerns by the opposition were but are not limited to:

o   What does “probable cause” look like?

o   Fourth Amendment U. S. Constitutional Rights (Unreasonable search and Seizures, and arrest), and consequently, Fifth Amendment U. S. Constitutional Rights

o   Use of force on a minor if they choose not to go with the officer

o   Searches of Students in custody of law enforcement officers. 

o   Possible “Fruit of Poisonous Tree” issue, and other civil right issues. (Fruit of the poisonous tree is a legal term in the United States used to describe evidence gathered with the aid of information obtained illegally. The logic of the terminology is that if the source of the evidence (the "tree") is tainted, then anything gained from it (the "fruit") would be likewise.)

o   Use of this bill, if made law, in profiling minority or curbing gang related activity

o   Vague language in the bill regarding what “school authority” means. 

 
Upcoming Committee Hearings:
Jan 28th, at 1:30 p.m. Room 0112
Education
HB08-1093 Rep. Vaad--Student Payment Basic Skills Courses
 
Jan 30th, Upon recess,Room SCR 356 Finance
HB08-1081 Lundberg--Property Tax Credits To Support Ed
 

Kerry Kantor

 

January 10

HB08-1019 & HB08-1004 & HB08-1093 & HB08-1081 (scroll down)

 
CONCERNING THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 
FOR CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENTS.
Bill Sponsors:  Sen. Sandoval and Rep. Casso
 
My initial impression of this bill is that it might prevent foster parents from homeschooling the foster children they care for.
This bill defines "school" as a public school or public charter school. 
If you are a foster parent please read this bill and let me know what you think.
 
 
"CONCERNING THE AUTHORIZATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO WORK JOINTLY WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ENFORCING COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAWS. Bill Sponsors:  Sen. Penry and Rep Todd
"Allows a uniformed law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that a child is truant to take the child into temporary custody for the purpose of returning the child to school authorities. Prohibits the officer from transporting the child to a juvenile detention facility or jail if the officer takes the child into temporary custody."
 
This bill does not seem to make any provisions for homeschooled kids on the street during school hours, or how to determine who is who. I personally can see this leading to more restrictions for homeschoolers.  I would love to hear from you on this issue. 
EMAIL ME:  director@cail-school.org  
 
 
CONCERNING THE PAYMENT BY STUDENTS OF THE FULL AMOUNT OF IN-STATE TUITION FOR BASIC SKILLS COURSES.
Sponsor:  Rep. Vaad (link)
In a nutshell no student going into college or university can use CO stipend to off set the full tuition cost for "basic skills" courses.  Basic skills courses are those courses student need to take to get up to college level.  I believe a lot of homeschooled high school students use the community college for these courses.  This bill may prevent you from paying the stipend rate of tuition for these courses.  At Pike Peak Community College, for example, tuition without the stipend is $166.15/credit hour, and with stipend it's $77.15.  
 
CONCERNING PROPERTY TAX CREDITS TO SUPPORT EDUCATION IN THE STATE
"Creates 3 property tax credits (education-related credits), which are as follows:
!
A credit for tuition payments to an independent or parochial school or other educational expenses for a student who previously attended a public school.
!
A credit for contributions to a school tuition organization.
!
A credit for tuition payments to an independent or parochial school or other educational expenses that does
not require a student to have previously attended a public school. "
 
To read more click the bill link above.  This bill will allow homeschooling families to take a credit too but only if your students were enrolled in public school the entire previous year , or they had not yet attained the age of six.  It does not address what happens in subsequent years as far as I can see.  I could be wrong.  (The bill is 14 pages long and I might have missed it) If you read it differently please let me know what your interpertation is.   
 
 
Colorado General Assembly