PED Update 7-19-2019

We have been waiting to have the revised New Mexico Homeschool Notification form changed to meet the requirements of the New Mexico statutes. As many of you know, CAPE and T.J. Schmidt (HSLDA Attorney) met with PED officials on June 18, 2019, to discuss the changes that were needed. They agreed to those changes and have had their IT Department working to complete them. Just to recap for folks, below are the concerns that CAPE and HSLDA had with the online form released in mid-June. Noted after each issue, we have stated if that issue has been resolved at this time.
1. The security of the PED online notification system (The site is now secure)
2. That an alternative written notification is made available for families who cannot or choose not to use the internet (a form is now available on the PED website and can be found here webnew.ped.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Homeschool-Notification-Form-with-Statutes-6.25.19.pdf )
3. That PED is tracking homeschool students with STARS ID numbers without legislative authority (This has not been resolved at this time, but they have stated that by July 24, 2019, they will have an opt out box for parents who do NOT want to have their child assigned the STARS ID number. Please understand that it is NOT part of the NM Homeschool Law, however, if you choose to have your child participate in a publicly funded program {i.e., school sports, classes at the public school, dual enrollment, etc.} they are required to follow the law laid out for public school students, as far as receiving the STARS ID number. If you choose to register online before July 24, 2019, your child/children will be given a STARS ID, if your child had one previously. After July 24th, there is supposed to be an opt out choice when you complete your notification form.)
4. That homeschool parents are currently required to agree to the “Terms and Conditions” to be able to homeschool legally (This has been changed to read that you “affirm that the parent/person providing instruction possesses at least a high school diploma or its equivalent and that the information above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I have read the attached responsibilities and statutes pertaining to home schooling in New Mexico”.)
5. That the PED does not clarify that the information on the Notification form is to remain private and not released to any entity without permission from the parents. (According to the PED website, it now reads {“In accordance with the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, a student’s education records are maintained confidential to the extent permitted by law. Additionally, the Public Education Department has not designated information within the agency as directory information as provided in 34 CFR § 99.37.”})
At this time, we are two weeks away from the August 1st notification deadline. We realize that the process has taken longer than we had hoped, and we cannot make any recommendations to use the online form, until the changes are complete. We were told July 16th (Wednesday) that all of the changes will be complete by July 24th, which will still give a full week to notify online. As parents, we are asking you to prayerfully consider whether you feel comfortable waiting until that time to use the online notification form. If you do, then we will send out a Communique and post on FB as soon as the final changes are made. If you are not comfortable waiting, then please use the paper notification to notify for this year.
We are thankful for all the prayers and willingness to wait until the PED had an opportunity to meet with CAPE and HSLDA and make the changes so that the notification form is what NM Homeschool Statutes require and nothing more.