Is Home Schooling Legal?

A Brief Look at The Past - Throughout the history of our country, whether around the colonial hearth or at a western pioneer homestead, home schooling was often the only educational choice for early America. As our country grew and expanded, church or community schools were often established which reflected the moral and ethical standards of the parents and community. With the establishment of the public school system, home schooling seemed a forgotten relic from the past.

Conflict Develops - In the 1980’s the choice to home educate became increasingly popular. Parents began to question the academic quality, the moral value system, and more recently, the safety of the public schools. This trend alarmed public school officials and they began to initiate lawsuits against parents who had chosen to home school.

Conflict Continues - During this difficult time, the Home School Legal Defense Association began their partnership with home school parents, curriculum providers, and home school support groups. These partnerships have led to both changes in and clarifications of the laws concerning home schooling in states across our nation. These changes have greatly enhanced our home school freedoms.

The Present Situation - Although parents choosing to home school today face less opposition, there are still some important con-siderations. While home schooling is possible across the United States, there are requirements that must be met. These requirements vary from state to state. It is up to youto familiarize yourself with the home education laws in your state and abide by them.

How to Protect Your Home School Freedoms - Membership in the Home School Legal Defense Association is an important first step towards maintaining your home school freedoms. HSLDA provides legal updates on the home schooling situation across our nation and legal counsel if your home school is threatened. Your membership fee also helps others maintain their freedom to home educate. Your state and local home school support groups may also provide valuable information concerning the home school political climate in your city and state.

In addition, conduct your home school in a consistently conscientious manner which meets or exceeds the standards of your state. Although someone can choose to argue with success, you will have made their criticisms less convincing.

For more in depth information about homeschool legal issues:

• Home School Legal Defense Association
• Texas Home School Coalition

Excerpted from The Starting Point, copyright 2001, Diana Johnson
All Rights Reserved

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