Holly M.

Lancaster
5707 Smallwood Way #20
Taylorsville, UT 84129
(801) 548-7924
To the Utah State Senate
The Honorable Orrin Hatch
Federal Building, #8402
125 S State St
Salt Lake City, UT 84138
Dear Orrin Hatch,
My name is Holly Lancaster and I am a student at Salt Lake Community College. I am studying
to become an educator for young children. Recently I have discovered that there are no laws
regarding homeschooling to guarantee a solid foundation for the childs education. I find this
disturbing due to the fact that the parent or guardian could essentially claim to educate their child
and simply not. I humbly request that steps be taken to rectify this flaw within our education
laws.
Within Utahs Home Education Association, or UHEA, under Utah Law: Exemption in section
(2) (a) it states that the parent or guardian may file a signed and notarized affidavit with the
minors school district of residence. Section 53A-2-201formilzes that the child will attend
homeschooling and that the parent or guardian will obtain unshared responsibility for the childs
education. I recognize that this lies under the rights of the parent or guardian. However,
following letter (d) in section 53A-11-102.5, the school may not: (i) require records of
instruction, or (iv) require any form of testing of the homeschooled student. While I recognize
that the parent or guardian has the right to opt to homeschool, I am concerned for the childs
rights. Nowhere within our laws does it state that the parent or guardian must educate their child,
only that they assume sole responsibility to do so. If a child does not acquire a solid education,
they risk developing essential literacy skills. If they are illiterate they risk becoming unable to
hold steady future jobs which can lead to increased prison enrollment, may also risk increasing
state assistance programs or even cost companies millions in decreased productivity.
Once again, I ask that we recognize these weaknesses within our homeschooling laws and that
we protect our childrens rights to a formal education. By ensuring our youths education, we are
securing lower crime, increasing employment and strengthening our society. I leave you with a
quote by Mariam Wright Edelmen who is the founder and president of the Childrens Defense
Fund. Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world
better than you found it.
Sincerely yours,

Holly Lancaster

Reference
Production, Third Sun. "UHEA | Utah Home Education Assocation - Utah Law: Exemption."
UHEA | Utah Home Education Assocation - Utah Law: Exemption. Utah's
Homeschooling Laws, 2014. Web. 27 Nov. 2015. <http://www.uhea.org/utah-shomeschooling-laws/exemption>.
Smith, John D. "Marian Wright Edelman Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, 2015. Web. 27 Nov.
2015. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marian_wright_edelman.html>.