Public Schools Marketing to Homeschoolers

Our office receives calls and e-mails from parents asking, “I just received a letter from my school district, why are they soliciting me; I’m homeschooling?” “How did the public school get my address?” Through conversations with these parents and after contacting school districts, we’re finding that schools are using private information that we are required to provide on the Declaration of Intent to Provide Home-Based Instruction.  They are creating mailing lists and targeting homeschoolers for marketing their public school alternative learning experience programs or their virtual/digital public schools.

Parents take issue with the disclosure of private information from documents they must submit in order to comply with state law. To assist parents, we have drafted the following letter. You are welcome to use all or a part of it when dealing with your school district.

During this legislative session, WHO sought protection from public school solicitation to homeschoolers by proposing an amendment to HB 2321 Student Privacy and Directory Information. See the Advocacy in Action Column, page seven in the April, 2007 issue of “WHO’s News”

WHO Advocacy committee

Public Schools Marketing to Homeschoolers
 Disclosure of Information from Declaration of Intent

Sample Letter

Date

Name
Public Information Officer or Equivalent Staff Person
School District
Address
City, Washington Zip Code

Re:       Disclosure of Information from Declaration of Intent

Dear Ms./Mr. ____________:

I recently received an unsolicited letter (flyer, brochure, survey) marketing your public school alternative learning program or virtual/digital public school,_________(Name of Program)_______________.

I am concerned about the unauthorized disclosure of private information from my Declaration of Intent to Provide Home-Based Instruction (“DOI”) that is currently on file with your district. I am required to “declare” with the superintendent of the district in which I reside in order to comply with Washington Home-Based Instruction Law (RCW 28A.200).  I take issue with the disclosure of my private information from documents I must file with you in order to comply with state law.

I want to know on what grounds the district justified disclosing my private information to the _______(Name of Program) _______.  I am seeking an explanation for the district’s decision to disclose this information, including references to policies and statutes authorizing these disclosures and assurances that this practice will be discontinued immediately. 

I would appreciate your prompt response to my inquiry. 

Respectfully,

Name

Cc:  Washington Homeschool Organization

Attachments:  Solicitation Letter

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