SENATE EDUCATION        FAX:518-426-6919            Jun 6 '00    11:56     P.02

The State Education Department | The University of the State of New York | Albany, NY 12234
President of the University
and Commissioner of Education

                                                                                            May 24, 2000

The Honorable John R. Kuhl, Jr.
State Senator
Room 846-A
Legislative Office Building
Albany, New York 12247

Dear Senator Kuhl:

    Thank you for your letter dated May 3, 2000 regarding proposed amendments to CR 100.10 relating to home instruction.

    In recent weeks, members of the Board of Regents and I have received a number of letters from home instructing parents opposing any attempts to revisit or revise home instruction regulations. Their concern is that if the regulations are revisited at this time, not only could the amendments you specified be enacted, but home instructed students would be required in the to take the State 4th and 8th grade tests and perhaps certain Regents examinations as well. Currently, home instructed students may take State tests or "other commercially published tests."

    I have informed the leadership of organizations representing home schoolers that we do not plan to revisit the home instruction regulations until related issues concerning the statewide nonpublic school community are concluded. We have also communicated to parents opposed to revisions to the regulations that there are no plans at this time to amend them.

    I trust this information will be helpful to you:

                                                                            Sincerely,

                                                                            Richard P. Mills