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Per Oregon homeschool law, homeschool families are required to submit test results for their student to the ESD only on required testing years (grades 3, 5, 8, and 10, or annually for those participating in interscholastic sports) and only if requested by the ESD.
Confusing Letter from IMESD
InterMountain ESD (IMESD) sent out confusing letters to homeschoolers living within IMESD’s boundaries. The letters were intended to notify homeschoolers that IMESD was starting to collect test results. The letters also asked for updates on each homeschooled child in the family.
Because of the unclear wording of the letter, homeschoolers read it to say that IMESD would be collecting tests for all homeschooled students this time, whether it was testing year for them or not.
I looked again at the letter to homeschoolers. It is easy to see the call for tests at grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 at the top of the letter and then conflate that with the name of the single student at the bottom of the page where IMESD asks for student updates. I know I did that when I read the letter.
It would have been better to clearly delineate the two messages that are on the page rather than just inserting an “Additionally” to start the second topic of updating student information.
The letter says: “children in grades 3, 5, 8, and 10 being taught at home shall complete approved testing by August 15th. Testing results must be submitted to the regional Education Service District (ESD). Students participating in interscholastic activities are also required to test annually.” There is no indication that IMESD will be requesting test results retroactively.
Now that IMESD is requiring test results and has sent a request indicating so, homeschool parents should submit test results for their student this year if they are finishing grade 3, 5, 8, or 10.
Incorrect Address
The letter sent by IMESD says to send test results to 1604 17th Street La Grande, OR 97876. The correct address is 1604 27th Street La Grande, OR 97850. Both the street name and zip code are incorrect in the ESD’s letter.
OCEANetwork has suggested to IMESD that they not delay sending out a correction for the address.
Request for Updated Information
IMESD’s letter also requested updates on student information. While the letter did indicate it as optional, we’d like to reiterate that such information updates are not legally required, and we recommend not providing them.
OCEANetwork’s stance is that giving ESD’s extra information not legally required endangers the rights of other homeschoolers who do not wish to give such information to the ESD. It gives the ESD a sense of entitlement to extra information or laying extra requirements on homeschoolers.
Rodger Williams
OCEANetwork Freedom Watch Team
Sign up for emails from OCEANetwork to stay up-to-date on this and other issues impacting the freedoms of homeschooling parents in Oregon.
You can help OCEANetwork protect the rights of Oregon families to do what is best for their children by donating or becoming an OCEANetwork Supporting Member.