Urgent advice needed in Iowa

Question:
Here's some background first: I have three children whom I HS. I started HSing YS (8) Dec 2000 because he was abused in PS by a teacher the principal would not remove as his teacher. OD (13) and OS (11) started HSing Aug 2001. Both of them have special needs issues. PS said OD was reading on a 4th gr level, but independent eval (univ. hospital) revealed she was on a 2nd gr level. PS was reading her tests to her. We moved to another nearby county Aug 2001. We had no problems during the 2001-2002 PS calendar school year. Now here's the problem: My supervising teacher came by today to give the children an introduction to her harp. While here she told me that the superintendent is demanding that my children take the ITBS in November (and without anyone to read it to my daughter) and if they score poorly, they will be forced back into the PS system. He told me last year that they did not have to test as long as I was a part of the Home School Assistance Program. I brought up the option of a portfolio and was told that that was NOT an option any more, testing or PS was the only choices. He also made the statement that the IEP my OD had in the PS system is invalid since she began HSing. If forced back into PS they would have no protection and would have to start that process over. I will NOT allow my children to return to an environment in which one was abused and the other two are not compatible. I already tried to contact the HSLDA. I was put to the answering machine of a Jeanette Cole. I don't know if they will help because the operator at HSLDA kept asking about membership. I can't afford a lawyer if this turns ugly.

Answer:
- HSLDA is essentially a pre-paid legal service so if you are not a member they probably can't/won't help. What they DID do for someone in our area is give them the name of a lawyer that was on their list. Have you talked to the superintendent yourself or is this just what the teacher said that the superintendent said? Do you HAVE to have a supervising teacher in Iowa??? Also for homeschool special needs there is a group NATHHAN [I always forget if they have two T's or two N's in their name, but I have found their web-site and they might be able to help you with resources or even with finding someone in similar circumstances in Iowa.

- Screw HSLDA, and contact any/all local homeschooling groups in your vicinity. Know what the requirements (if any) are for homeschooling in Iowa, and follow them fastidiously. Public officials - or, for that matter, doctors, lawyers, insurance companies or just about any profession that requires specialized knowledge - sometimes succumb to the temptation to "make up" requirements. Take copious notes of who you talk to and when - "I sent certified return reciept mail that was signed for by Jane Goodall at your office on 13 September" is a far sight better than "I mailed it to you..." Ditto phone calls. Assume, at this point, that the establishment is hostile. Your best defense is to adhere to the rules - AND ONLY THE RULES - explicitly. Do exactly what you're supposed to for notifying them that you're homeschooling, and not an iota more. Keep meticulous records of all of the above. When questioned, demand that they produce the written regulation - or better, have copies for yourself. Again, contact your local/state HS groups. They will know Iowa law better than I - or anyone else in another state. Ohio, for example, *does* allow portfolios that are reviewed - but I have no idea about Iowa, or what paperwork would be required for you. "Could you please show me that regulation or law?" The HSLDA wants money for thier membership - otherwise they probably won't represent you. If you think it's worthwhile, they charge $100, and have pretty severe limitations as to when they will represent you and in what capacity. They also have other parts to thier agenda that you may want to be aware of before allying yourself with thier organization.