HOME EDUCATION INFORMATION RESOURCE ...to assure that Georgia values home schooling WHO AND WHAT IS HEIR?

We are a statewide organization of homeschoolers. We are a volunteer organization with no restrictions on who may participate. We have over 500 members; of those, over 300 receive email. We reach almost every support group in the state, either through email or newsletters.

Our vision: The people of Georgia and their government recognize home study, freely practiced in its diverse forms, as a legitimate choice and value it as a positive force for improving the quality of education.

Our mission:  Providing government agencies and officials timely and accurate information about home study in Georgia;  Disseminating information to the public about Georgia law, government activities, and regulations as they concern home study programs;  Working to prevent or remove undue legislative, judicial, or regulatory restrictions on Georgia home study programs;  Promoting dialog within the homeschooling community, for example through e-mail, our website, and surveys;  Encouraging involvement of homeschoolers in Georgia government by informing them on issues and opportunities;  Working toward fair treatment of home study programs by Georgia government through programs of information and education;  Promoting a positive, well-informed image of home study, for example through presentations, publications, and media activities.

In the past year, we have:  Engaged in active discussions with the School Social Workers of Georgia, because of their involvement in drafting HB586; we have met with their Executive Board;  Engaged in extensive discussions with the Chancellor's office regarding the new admissions standards for students who are not graduates of accredited programs; we've prepared the only analyses of the new test score requirements; we've met with the Chancellor;  Testified before the House Education Committee on HB586; prepared a detailed analysis of HB586;  Provided opinion and recommendations regarding SB412;  Encouraged the creation of a coalition to deal with the USG admissions problem;  Developed an extensive website dealing with homeschooling issues in Georgia.  Contributed to television and newspaper reports on homeschooling.

We intend to be involved in all aspects of Georgia government affecting homeschoolers. Our goal is to be viewed as a valuable source of information, both by the homeschooling community, and by government officials and agencies.