Write to the House Ways and Means Committee members to express your opinion of this bill.

During his testimony before the House Committee, the Bill’s sponsor, Delegate West, spoke favorably of having MSDE implement testing requirements to ensure that homeschool students are academically eligible to participate in any and all clubs, sports, and other activities.

Write to the House Appropriations Committee members and to your State Senator to request that they amend this bill to include language that allows homeschool graduates to be eligible to participate WITHOUT having to obtain a GED, first.

This bill would fund approximately 100 Maryland Corp participants between the ages of 17 – 23, who have not already obtained a vocational, Associates, or Bachelor’s degree or certificate. The current language bars homeschool graduates from applying, unless they first obtain a GED, which, in essence, invalidates the quality of the homeschool course of study they have already completed.

Write to your elected House Representatives to express your support for this amended bill.

Senator Rosapepe, the sole sponsor, drafted the original bill without consulting any special interest groups, such as statewide or county gifted advocacy groups; PTAs; or other stakeholders, aside from the Maryland State Department of Education. By eliminating the need for middle school students to enter early college without having taken a placement test, such as the SAT, there is no way of knowing if students are truly ready for early college classes. Furthermore, without funding or a directive in place, adolescents will be placed in adult learning environments without the proper social-emotional support to help the child thrive as a whole person. Senator Rosapepe presented one parent with supportive testimony at the Feb 24 Senate Committee Meeting. The Association of Maryland Community Colleges submitted written testimony opposing the bill.