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THSC Association Letter to

Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

VIA FACIMILE

October 1, 2007

Ms. Margie Gunther

Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

2115 E Frankford Road

Carrollton, TX 75006

Dear Ms. Gunther:

…

I am writing in response to your communication to Mr. and Mrs. R___ K___, members of our association.  On August 8, 2007, Mrs. K___ notified Dallas ISD officials, in a personal meeting, that she would be withdrawing her daughter from the deaf education program of that school to teach her at home.  Some time after that meeting, Mrs. K___ began to receive phone messages from Carrolton-Farmers Branch (C-FB) ISD saying she needed to notify the superintendent of their decision to homeschool and what curriculum they were using.  In response to those calls, since the child had been attending school in Dallas ISD, Mrs. K___ sent a letter to that district, notifying them of her intent to withdraw her child and homeschool.

On September 13, Mrs. K___ received a letter from you stating, “When a parent /guardian chooses to home school their child, the parent is required to inform the district in writing that their child will be home schooled and what curriculum will be used for this schooling….  If this letter is not received by the district by September 18, 2007 this matter will be turned over to the district’s attendance office.” 

Mrs. K___ responded that same day by sending, via certified mail, a letter notifying the district of her intent to homeschool.  On September 26, Mr. and Mrs. K___ received a warning notice from the district stating their child was “not in legal attendance.”  Mrs. K___ responded to this threat in the manner suggested by the commissioner of education in a letter dated April 20, 2004, which I have enclosed for your review. 

Ms. Gunther, contrary to your statement that a parent is required to inform the district in writing of their intent to teach their children at home and what curriculum will be used, that is not the case.  Parents are not required to register with public school officials or obtain their permission to teach their children at home.  Neither are they required to name a curriculum.  According to the Texas Education Agency (see accompanying letter), parents may withdraw their child in writing, which the K___s have done.  They must also cooperate with an inquiry concerning their home school, which the K___s have also done.  Should you and/or C-FB officials pursue legal charges against the K___s and/or their child for violation of the compulsory attendance laws, you and the district will be subject to legal action. 

Withdraw the K___s’ child immediately and cease any further action against this family to avoid proceedings on our part. 

Sincerely,

Tim Lambert

Enclosure: Commissioner Letter

cc:  Dr. Annette Griffin, superintendent, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD; Ms. Ruth Vail, principal, Woodrow Wilson High School; Mr. Robert Scott, commissioner of education; State Senator Florence Shapiro; State Representative Jim L. Jackson; State Board of Education Member Mrs. Geraldine Miller; Texas home schoolers

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