HSLDA: The Good

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

27 Feb 2007 04:09 PM

A discussion on the homeschool forum about the HSLDA("nonprofit national membership organization of families who homeschool their children.") inspired me to write this series called the good, the bad and the ugly. I will start with the good.

• The Homeschool Legal Defense Association has numerous positive attributes and is incredibly useful to the new homeschooler.
• The HSLDA provides a large and up to date database of information for homeschoolers. This list includes state laws, and suggested curriculum. Whether you homeschoolers believe in the usefulness of the organization or not, they know where to turn for pertinent information.
• The Homeschool Legal Defense Association keeps a close eye on legislation that affects homeschooling. They are quick to alert the homeschooling public to problems that may affect homeschoolers negatively.
• The Homeschool Legal Defense Association provides membership cards that can be used as proof of homeschooling (especially when you are looking for a homeschool discount from a bookstore).
• The Homeschool Legal Defense Association provides the PerX program benefits, which offers discounts on insurance, school supplies, hotel reservations, and more. The perks of using this card often outweigh the cost of HSLDA membership.
• The Homeschool Legal Defense Association will defend you in court should your right to homeschooling be threatened. They promise to defend members to adhere to certain guidelines, but will also protect non-members in many cases.
• The Homeschool Legal Defense Association is a Christian organization that promises to protect the rights of all homeschoolers.
• The Homeschool Legal Defense Association runs the National Center for Home Education. The NCHE, which focuses on federal legislation, grassroots lobbying, research, and the media in order to protect the rights of homeschoolers.
• The Homeschool Legal Defense Association founded and continues to operate the Home School Foundation. The HSF supports the needs of homeschoolers in emergency situations in 25 countries.
• The Homeschool Legal Defense Association founded Patrick Henry College. While PHC is not a separate and distinct organization structurally, it donates revenue, facility space, and scholarships for HSLDA members.

I realize that some of the things I put on the "good" list could be considered as bad. There is definitely an overlap. Keep your eyes peeled for my "Bad" and "Ugly" lists.

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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