Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico

Home »Word-duh »Wilson Named Conferee for Defe... »Wilson Works to Increase Water... »Wilson Supports Bingaman Domen... »A True American Hero »Fliers Ready, Passports Aren`t »STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE HE... »Medicare Change Helps New Mexi... »Wilson Announces Possible Vet ... »Energy & Commerce Committee Pa... »Baca Ranch Sale is Official »KIRTLAND TAPPED FOR MAJOR NEW ... »E-Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue ... »Wilson Calls on Secretary Nort... »Wilson Touts NM Homeland Secur... »E-Newsletter, Volume 6, Issue ... »Rep. Wilson Wants to Improve T... »E-Newsletter, Volume 5, Issue ... »Wilson Appointed to House Page... »Placitas Library Gets $350K »Wilson Announces Federal Funds... »Thanking Our Troops »The Great American Jobs Machin... »Wilson Welcomes Next Step in I... »A bracelet and a simple questi... »Wilson Nails the E-mails »How you can help ... »Wilson Announces Federal Fundi... »Wilson Introduces Legislation ... »Wilson Statement on Iraq Suppl... »Wilson Added to Commerce Healt... »Wilson Supports Veterans And H... »Resources for Veterans »Kirtland AFB Hosts Successful ... »Wilson Announces Hearing on ‘S... »Wilson Announces Over $79,000 ... »Wilson Urges Stronger Federal ... »E-Newsletter Vol 2 Issue 6 »Wilson Opposes Union-Only Labo... »E-Newsletter, Volume 5, Issue ... »Wilson: Congress Should Heed G... »Wilson’s Spam Act Passes Overw... »Wilson:  Don`t Charge Parents ...

Wilson: Don`t Charge Parents for Educating Their Children	March 03, 2000

Congresswoman expresses concern that the fee would unfairly burden home schooling families ALBUQUERQUE, NM -- Congresswoman Heather Wilson has expressed her concern that a proposed home schooling registration fee will unfairly burden New Mexico parents who choose to educate their children at home. “Home-schooling is not a solution for every family,” says Wilson. “However, in Albuquerque alone, more than 1500 families have made what is arguably the largest commitment parents can make to their children’s education.” “To charge parents for their active involvement in their children’s education is a disservice to these children and to their families,” said Wilson in a letter to Albuquerque School Superintendent Brad Allison. “Home-schooling proponents feel that a registration fee of any amount for the right to educate one’s own child is outrageous and unacceptable, and I encourage you to carefully consider their viewpoint.” Copies of Wilson’s letter were also provided to Governor Johnson and members of the APS School Board. Wilson is also concerned that a registration fee for home schoolers may be discriminatory, as students who do enroll in APS cannot legally be charged for registration. “Our school system should provide options to kids with different or special skills so that parents have the option to make the best choices for their children,” says Wilson. “Charter schools, private schools, and home schooling can provide the options that parents need to meet their children’s educational needs.” Known in her district and in Congress for her commitment to education, Wilson says that education “is a team effort, and each of us owes all our kids our very best. We owe the same to parents who make the extra effort to be actively involved in their children’s development through home education.” Lee Ann Roberts, an Albuquerque parent who home schools her three children, says, “Home schoolers already pay taxes to support the public schools financially. We also pay for our own books and supplies. Many home schoolers sacrifice and live on one income to teach their own children, and this extra cost is burdensome.” Roberts says her family chose to home school their children to “promote academic excellence for our children and give them a firm moral foundation.” At the request of Speaker Dennis Hastert, Wilson recently delivered the Republican response to Education Secretary Richard Riley’s State of American Education address. She also hosted a House Education Committee field hearing in Albuquerque. Wilson and members of the Committee heard from New Mexicans on education-related issues, including how to encourage alternate forms of education such as charter schools. ### Link to Wilson`s Letter to Albuquerque School Superintendent Brad Allison