Spunky Homeschool

HSLDA Membership

Apr. 27, 2006 at 10:37 AM

Homeschooling

In response to my Parental Rights post and a small discussion in the comment box, Piano Steve asked
People had recommended to us that we join the HSLDA as we embark on our homsechooling journey, so is there something I should know about them to make that decision more intelligently?
So I thought I'd open this discussion up for all to share why they are or are not members of HSLDA.

This is not an opportunity to launch an emotional attack against HSLDA. But as new parents such as Piano Steve come into homeschooling, they should have accurate information to make intelligent decisions for themselves.

As for us, I posted last year why we are not members. Our concern is that they have a dual purpose. They defend the homeschool family and they are a proactive political group. From their website about who they are,
HSLDA works to defeat or amend harmful bills, but also works proactively, introducing legislation to protect and preserve family freedoms.
If they want to lobby states for different laws then maybe a separate organization should be set up. There are strong differences of opinion among homeschoolers as to what a "good" homeschool law is. (Section ML 380.1561 is still a sore spot with many in MI.) In the mid '90's Many homeschoolers in MI found themselves at odds with the organization they thought would defend them.

In defense of individual homeschool families they have done some outstanding work. As a politcal action group they have their opinions and are right to express them. However, often the two are mixed together. I would rather see two separate organizations. One for the defense of the homeschool families and a second for political action. It seems a lot cleaner. That way I know my membership is being used in the way in which I intended it - to defend homeschool families. I don't want to possibly fight the organization I paid to join.

If they would like to also proactively promote legislation to preserve family freedoms that's fine. I just feel they should do so as a separate organization. That way it won't appear as though they are speaking on behalf of all homeschoolers around the nation.

In my post last June, Headmistress at the Common Room mentioned the use of dues for the creation of Patrick Henry College. She said,
I won't be a member again because I'm not happy with the use of their dues to support Patrick Henry College. I'm not mad at them- it's their right. But it's also my right to spend my money in places I think it does more good. No matter how good Patrick Henry is, grads from there are going to have to overcome the reputation of their college to work outside the conservative Christian sphere, and I'd rather HSLDA used money I give them for homeschooling insurance to defend other homeschoolers. Exclusively.
That has also been an issue with some as well.

But these are just my thoughts and opinions. If others woul like to share their thoughts to help Steve and others make an intelligent decision feel free to jump in.

There are also other organizations out there besides HSLDA. The NHELD is another legal defense group. Henry Cate at Why Homeschool just interviewed Judy Aron. She is the research director for that group. I'm not affiliated with this group. I just present it as another option to consider.

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10 Comments and Trackbacks

posted by jayfromcleveland on Apr. 27, 2006 at 1:05 PM

spunky, you make some good points. There does seem to be a cross-purpose to a group like theirs having more than one mission. Also, now that you mention it, HSLDA hits the members for such high dues and then funnels the $$$ into other projects. It pro'lly would be good for them to divide into separate organizations, but where would the funds for the other stuff come from?

I'm not quibbling, I'm glad they're there. And as I told Mike Smith last year at CHEO, "I hope I never need your services." I see supporting HSLDA as insurance for our family and a means of support for Christian families who do need help in a pinch. However, I thought HSLDA was the only game in town and didnt know about about this NHELD group. Maybe we all need to become more informed? Keep shining the light on the subject! If Christians don't keep their own accountable, then the world will. -j

posted by spunkyhomeschool on Apr. 27, 2006 at 1:30 PM

The funds for the second group would come from those who support that work. Just the same as any other organization. To me it's sort of like the teachers union. They claim to represent the teachers but then use the membership dues for other projects. Obviously, HSDLA doesn't force people to join but many people don't find out about these other projects until after they have paid their dues. Thus, possibly putting them at odds with the group they support with their money. That's what happened to many here in Michigan when they introduced the legislation in the 90's that many felt was unncessary. I believe Illiniois had a similar thing happen to them.

posted by wardssward on Apr. 27, 2006 at 9:07 PM

I recently contacted HSLDA to help us formulate a plan for one of our sons. It was sort of an emergency, and we wanted some advice right away. Our son was doing poorly on a standardized test; a test that would not really have told us what he knew or didn't know, because of other distractions. We were wanting to switch him to a portfolio instead, and needed some advice. The initial response we got was that, if our son was having trouble, we had to go to the State and work through them. NOT!! (To be fair, I don't know if the person on the other end of the line fully understood my situation.) Two days later, one of the higher-ups called to find out what we needed. They were just a few days late, but we can give them credit for following up. We'd always kept them as insurance in the event that someone may come to our door, but reading their periodicals has helped us to get a better grasp of our rights. That really is all a homeschooling family needs to know. Having them on hand does give the credence of professional lawyers which can get an agressive social worker to stand down. This year we plan to opt out of HSLDA due to financial strains. Maybe a website that lists the rights per state, and procedures to follow, would be more beneficial. -Norman

posted by SusannahCox on Apr. 28, 2006 at 1:08 AM

I've been a member the last few years. I agree that reading their publications has been an eye-opener for me. I've learned a lot about how to respond to a possible contact from CPS. It's nice to know the legal advice would be there if we needed it. I am aware they only defend cases that they feel would really further the "cause" (they are upfront about that in their materials), but the mere fact that I have a number to call if a social worker shows up makes it worth the investment for me. DH has done some work around DFCS and has said the only thing that wards them off is the threat of litigation. So, merely having a "legal advisor" gives one a leg up in such situations.

I have zero problem with my membership fees supporting PHC. I'm enthusiastic about the college, and only wish it had been around when I was looking for a place to attend.

posted by spunkyhomeschool on Apr. 28, 2006 at 7:26 AM

thanks Susannnah,

I'm just curious. What if the fees were used to support something that you strongly disagreed with? Would that make a difference to you?

posted by Lori on Apr. 28, 2006 at 9:04 AM

Wow - the things you learn... good conversation and good to know there are other options, too. This is our first year homeschooling and we did decide to join HSLDA before sending in our intent to homeschool last year. To give you a brief backround, we pulled our children from the public school and we live in NY. NY is one of the most regulated states - lots of forms to complete, standardized tests, etc. This was all very daunting to us as we embarked on this new journey. (Pulling your children from public schools seems to be even more rebellious than being a homeschooler from the start... ;) We've gone over to the homeschool side.)HSLDA has been a wealth of information for us. We've contacted them twice and received timely responses and good information. Also, we did decide to join again, for some of the same reasons as above comments. It does give me a sense of security to know that they are there if I need their serves - even though it may potentially be a false sense of security... Unfortunately, organizations are as imperfect as we are. I cannot say that I agree with everything they do, but for us, at this particular point in time and homeschooling, we are members.

posted by on Apr. 28, 2006 at 5:57 PM

Spunky, how likely is it that HSLDA's members strongly disagree with their political objectives? If so, there are other groups to join, as you pointed out. Freedom of assembly...likeminded people can band together to accomplish their objectives. There's really nothing wrong with that.

The simple solution is to cancel membership when you discover a difference of opinion you can't tolerate (or not join in the first place, as the case may be). As you noted, membership is voluntary. To me, that makes it a non-issue.

This reminds me a little of a Boston Globe article I read once, where liberals were wah-wah-wahing about HSLDA's conservatism. Couldn't figure out what the big deal was. I mean, form your own group, right?

I found the link:

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ideas/articles/2004/08/
15/readingwriting_right_wing_politics/

Edited by spunkyhomeschool on Apr. 28, 2006 at 2:59 PM

posted by on Apr. 28, 2006 at 6:14 PM

Susannah, I had to edit your previous comment because the link was too long. That's all I changed.

As to your question how likely?

In MI very likely. That what was the issue with the legislation in the 1990's. We had a few court cases that decided that it was the natural right of the parent to educate their children. HSLDA went ahead and legislated a law anyway. It has created all sorts of havoc in our state that we are still battling. If the law was not their further regulation would be very difficult. But because this law is there, we are always fighting off intrusive regulation. Illiniois experienced a similar situation. So this isn't just a hypothetical it is real. And it has had an impact on the homeschool community in our state in MANY ways.

It is overly simplistic to say just unenroll. HSDLA has a presence that gives the illusion that they speak for ALL homechoolers. Legislators and their aides have told me as much. Many people who disagreed with HSDLA in this area found their voice drowned out by their own group. At that point disenrolling will not solve that.

I'm not anti-HSLDA it has a purpose. As a defense of individual families they have been very helpful. But there is a down side to having a national organization do the representing for us.

I have known many homeschoolers who because of membership have become sort of "lazy" in learning the law and what's going on in education for themselves. Preferring HSDLA to speak for them. The "comfort" of knowing HSDLA is out there is nice but can lead to problems. When I gave my talk a couple of weeks ago on Ed. Reform I heard from quite a few, "Why isn't anyone nationally (read HSDLA) letting us know about this?" I didn't have an answer for them. And the reform marches on. That's not to say that they're NOT saying anything. But it obviously isn't with the same strength of voice that other issues have.

What is going on around the 50 states is a national movement toward standards. HSDLA successfully kept homeschoolers from being included in NCLB. But that is a false security. State by state these standards are being implemented and homeschoolers ignore them at their peril.

It has seemed to me in more recent years that HSDLA has gotten "star struck" and forgotten their first mission. Don't get me wrong, many of the issues HSLDA has stood for I support philosphically. But at what cost to their initial purpose.

This isn't just whiinig but a valid concern of many conservative Christian home educators.


Edited by spunkyhomeschool on Apr. 28, 2006 at 3:15 PM

posted by spunkyhomeschool on Apr. 28, 2006 at 9:25 PM

Susannah

I read the article. They were mainly talking about liberal vs conservative politics. While those are definitely involved in the mix they are not the only thing. That's my point. It is all so mixed in that you can't separate out which issues are which. It would be better to just stick to what they do well and not get sidetracked with all the other issues. Lest we find ourselves overtaken by our own lack of diligence in key areas.

posted by SBadgley on May. 1, 2006 at 12:51 PM

Thanks for sharing your comments and insight on my blog. I finally was able to respond today as we had a busy weekend.

Blessings to you,
Sharra

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