How many are members of HSLDA??

[happyus3]

I was just wondering how many people are members of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association?

We are new to homeschool this year, and when I was talking to the one mother I know who homeschools, she kept telling me that I need to join and almost made me scared to begin our year without thier protection. I haven't joined yet, but it's still in the back of my mind that somebody is going to come knocking, and I won't have the legal protection I need. Please give me peace of mind on this - or tell me if it really necessary to join!! Thank you

[alegna]

No way. Their politics scare me and I don't agree with many of their ideas.

-Angela

[simple living mama]

I'm not in to signing or joining anything that uses fear as a tactic. Read what these guys say about HLDA. They say it better than I ever could.

This is from Home Education Magazine a few years back.

http://www.homeedmag.com/HEM/185/sotch.html

[mamachandi]

I agree totally!! How are the laws in colorado??- thats where you should start. In michigan they are great!! and there is no need for such a memebership. I have heard negative things about this group. Google them you will find all the info you need

[folkypoet]

You might want to check out the Homeschooling is Legal site to learn about some of the many reasons people choose not to join HSLDA.

[Drummer's Wife]

nope and we're homeschooling in CO and the laws aren't strict here.

I wonder why your friend thinks she might need legal protection?

[nolonger]

No, we are not, but I do remember the pressure to join and feeling as if I, in particular, was not safe because I was single and low-income.

Here's some more reading material for you:

The Ravage of Home Education Through Exclusion by Religion

Who stole homeschooling?

HSLDA Consumer Info: What are you buying?

HSLDA's Lobbying Expenses (2005)

Let's not Link Homeschooling to Partisan Politics

Homeschoolers: Unwitting Pawns of the Christian Right-Wing?

An Open Letter to HSLDA's Membership

[3momkmb]

I'm not and I don't plan to be. On the off chance that I'm ever challenged (not likely) I can hire a lawyer on my own. I don't fit the HSLDA's profile and I'm not keen on giving $ to an org whose policies I disagree with and that doesn't even guarantee they'll defend me.

[Pinky Tuscadero]

No, we're not members. For all the reasons listed above.

[Roo_Online]

I'm not a member either and don't plan to be.

In the unlikely event that I had legal trouble, I would hire my own lawyer and work with him/her in my family's best interest, not in the best interest of the HSLDA.

I agree with the previous posts that using fear to get people to join turns me off.

The best thing you can do for yourself legally is to know your state's homeschooling laws inside and out, and follow them.

[Arduinna]

They will never get a penny of my money.

[reeseccup]

Same here, nope, never. I make an effort to know and understand the laws in the state I'm living in. I abide by the law, and if ever challenged I know I'm in the right and will be fine. I'm not a Christian and I am not about to be told HOW to home educate my children. Last I read, they require one that signs up to be a Christian and to follow a cirriculum, no thanks to both.

[PumpkinSeeds]

No way.

[cchrissyy]

not a member either

[ustasmom]

Absolutely. $8 a month.

And it isn't what they do for you personally. They protect your right to homeschool in this country. That is HUGE as there are tons of attacks trying to take your right to educate your children.

They have protected rights and lobbied for rights that have positively affected my right to homeschool AND my rights in general.

For instance, in my state, homeschooled children could not fulfill their driver's education requirements at home. HSLDA lobbied the state gov't and legislation passed so that our children can now get their driver's licenses.

And the destruction that Social Services can do is a whole other story.

Also, we personally know a family that the school board/county went after for homeschooling. The legal battle to keep their children was phenomenally expensive. They lost their house and had to live in a very broken down house with the lifestyle to match, in another state for many years. They have finally turned things around financially, but it took them almost 15 years to do so. Tens of thousands of dollars.

[Tigeresse]

Didn't they support recently enacted legislation that allows the armed forces to "define" homeschooling for potential candidates? If that doesn't open the door for further "defining" of homeschooling at the federal level I don't know what does. Not at all in the best interests of homeschoolers nationwide.

[Pinky Tuscadero]

Originally Posted by ustasmom

Also, we personally know a family that the school board/county went after for homeschooling. The legal battle to keep their children was phenomenally expensive. They lost their house and had to live in a very broken down house with the lifestyle to match, in another state for many years. They have finally turned things around financially, but it took them almost 15 years to do so. Tens of thousands of dollars.

Just wondering how HSLDA helped this family?

[Nousername]

Never joined and never will, for the reasons stated by others. I've even heard (probably in one of those articles) that "legal insurance," which is what they are trying to sell, might not be legal in some states.

Originally Posted by happyus3

I was just wondering how many people are members of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association?

We are new to homeschool this year, and when I was talking to the one mother I know who homeschools, she kept telling me that I need to join and almost made me scared to begin our year without thier protection. I haven't joined yet, but it's still in the back of my mind that somebody is going to come knocking, and I won't have the legal protection I need. Please give me peace of mind on this - or tell me if it really necessary to join!! Thank you

[mamarhu]

Some years ago, I succumbed to their scare tactics, and joined the HSLDA, without researching their political positions, I confess. Didn't occur to me they had a larger agenda. I soon started receiving emails about their potical and religious beliefs, making the assumption that I was also a conservative, Republican, Christian (none of the above). I wrote back and asked if I couldn't please have the legal support they promised without the propaganda. Basically, no. So I cancelled my membership. As loudly as I could.

[2tadpoles]

I wouldn't touch HSLDA with a 10-foot pole. I don't like the way they mix causes and assume they speak for all homeschoolers.

It's been quite some time since I read all the anti-HSLDA material out there, but I'm under the impression that HSLDA is actually responsible for the restrictive homeschooling laws some states have. Sure, they "fought" for the legal right to homeschool; and the states compromised by creating individual statutes that are less than friendly in some areas.