House Speaker John Perzel Declares His Support 4/22/03

Thank you for sharing with me the recent opinion piece you wrote for The Morning Call expressing your concerns with regard to the need for public schools to permit home schooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities. As I have mentioned in previous correspondence to you I have been, and continue to be, a strong advocate for giving parents a full range of choices in how they prefer to have their child educated, including home education programs; and, I personally support the concept of allowing home schooled students to take part in district extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, many of the same arguments you have encountered in your dealings with the board of school directors in the Allentown School District have also emerged in the General Assembly as discussion has continued on whether to statutorily require school districts to permit such participation. Senate Bill 384 has been introduced in the new 2003-2004 legislative session to accomplish this purpose, while no companion piece has yet been introduced in the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 384 is currently assigned to the Senate Education Committee for its consideration. Should the Senate ultimately pass this legislation and send it to the House for its deliberation, I would be pleased to ask the House Education Committee to take it up for consideration; and, when reported from that Committee, to ask that the bill be voted on by the full House. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts with me on this important topic and commend you for your continued commitment to this issue. John Perzel Speaker