HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 96-4731, by Representatives Koster, Dyer, Cooke, Quall, B. Thomas, D. Schmidt, McMorris, Mulliken, Robertson and Lambert

      WHEREAS, It is the policy of the Washington State Legislature to recognize excellence in all fields of endeavor; and

      WHEREAS, Through its distinguished history, tradition, and current innovations and growth, home-based parent provided instruction has unequivocally demonstrated itself to be an excellent tool and environment wherein children receive an outstanding and vital education; and

      WHEREAS, Home-based instruction has been recognized by the legislature of this great state of Washington through enactment of law as a vital part of education, wherein rigorous academic instruction is provided to our young citizens and the future leaders of our great state, and as an expression of the paramount right of parents to superintend the instruction and education of their children; and

      WHEREAS, This recognition of the value of home-based instruction is founded on the long tradition and principled history of home-based instruction evidenced by such notable accomplished "home-schoolers" as George Washington, Patrick Henry, John Marshall, Abraham Lincoln, Booker T. Washington, and Woodrow Wilson; and

      WHEREAS, Home-based instruction provides well-rounded activities and dynamic curriculum including the fundamental and advanced skills of occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, art, and music at scholastic levels which customary and routinely exceed publicly schooled students; and

      WHEREAS, The efficacy and sustaining success of home-based instruction is distinctively illustrated by national achievement test scores where students of home-based instruction consistently out-perform their public school taught contemporaries; and

      WHEREAS, Home-based instruction also provides an irreplaceable opportunity for parents to teach and without dilution impart  meaningful personal and religious values to their children which uniquely equips and prepares them for the variant challenges of today and the future;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the very highest level of excellence shown by those parents and families who strive, pursue, and demonstrate excellence in home-based instruction.

     I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

     Resolution 4731 adopted by the House of Representatives

                       February 28, 1996.

                ________________________________

                 Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk