“These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up … ” Deuteronomy 6:6-7

We are pleased to report that SB177, the freedom-loving homeschool bill, passed in the full Senate Wednesday, February 17, with a vote of 21-14. Check the votes here.

SB177 will go to the House Education Committee this Monday, March 1, and it could be debated and voted on in the House as early as Tuesday. This will be a close vote, so please pass this on to your friends. Legislators need to hear from their constituents.

What you need to know about the bill:

• SB177 will update antiquated language in our code. It will simplify and eliminate the annual notification that parents must submit to their local school district that indicates their intention to homeschool. It will instead require a one-time notification unless the student enrolls in a public or nonpublic school or moves to a different district.
• SB177 eliminates the mandatory testing, making South Dakota the 40th state to strike this requirement.
• SB177 will allow any homeschool student to participate in local school sports or other school activities.

ACTION: Contact your two state representatives and ask them to “Vote Yes on SB177.” Send an email message here. If you do not know who your two representatives are, click here. If you are a member of CWA of South Dakota, be sure to let them know.

Please forward this information on to family and friends!

PRAYER: Father, we thank You for giving us the responsibility to educate our children and for the freedom that we have to do so. Bless those families who take on this responsibility. Help them in this endeavor to guide their children in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. Help them to teach their children the truth of Your Creation, Your Word, and skills to lead a God-honoring life. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Linda Schauer
State Director