HSLDA: pros and cons?

[GodChick]

I've heard mixed reviews -- not sure I understand the political aspect. What's the scoop on them?

We're in TX. DD1 has been in pub. school for kindy and 1st. We are starting hs-ing with her and DD2, who would be in kindy next year. Had a few threats warnings from the school's VP last year, because DD1 had missed school when she had RSV and a few other illnesses, plus a few days when her baby sister was born. She missed, IIRC, 12 days of school out of 9 months. We were threatened warned that any more absences (excused or unexcused) would result in a visit from a truant officer.

Does a membership with HSLDA make sense for us?

[jenn3514]

This is from their website regarding laws in Texas: http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Texas.pdf

It sound like Texas recognizes a homeschool as a private school, and private schools are exempt from the compulsory attendance laws. It also looks like you don't have to submit paperwork/schoolwork to the school. If that is the case, I think joining HSLDA would be more for peace of mind than anything else.
Having said that, I live in a very liberal homeschooling state. Youngest dd will be in kindy next year, but then the plan is for her to join her siblings at home. We will be joining because she is a special needs child, and I would like the peace of mind of not worrying about some well-meaning person getting us caught up in the system.

[GodChick]

Hmmmm . . . my 5yo has special needs, too. Does that make a difference?

[jenn3514]

I don't feel like it should, and legally I don't think it does, but when we mention wanting to bring her back to homeschooling at some point- it seems to raise eyebrows. I would just feel better knowing that legal advice is a phone call away if someone decided I wasn't up to teaching a child with special needs. I feel safe with our current family doctor, but she's got quite a few specialists and therapists that she sees and not all are on board with hs'ing. DH thinks I'm being paranoid

[AdrienneQW]

I understand TX to be one of the most hs-friendly states in the country. Personally, I wouldn't feel the need for an HSLDA membership if I were homeschooling in TX. (Full disclosure - I'm not a big fan of HSLDA in general.)

One suggestion - look into your statewide homeschool associations, and see if any of them offer legal support to members. I know if I ever needed legal help, all I would have to do is call up the California Homeschool Network and they would have my back.

So glad you started this thread! I've been visiting w/a Christian HS'ing neighbor and HSLDA was one of the first things she suggested to me as a newbie. Maybe I am naive, but I figured b/c we live in a very liberal/progressive community (I wasn't thinking of state regulations ) and in this day & age we wouldn't need to worry about "protection" of this type. Neighbor told me that every HS'er she knows uses HSLDA coverage. So, I can't wait to read more responses from you ladies on your experience w/this organization.

[Peaceful Meadows]

HSLDA has the reputation of fear mongering to raise memberships as well as sort of bullying other smaller homeschool organizations. Here are some blog posts on HSLDA written by the same Lady:
HSLDA: The Good
HSLDA: The Bad
HSLDA: The Ugly

I heard about Homeschool Legal Advantage and am looking into them. I don't know much about them yet. Here is an article about them in Home Education Magazine.

ETA:
I meant to post this link to Homeschool Legal Advantage's FAQ

---------- Post added at 04:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:21 AM ----------

If someone feels the need there and wants an alternative to HDLDA, I found a link with alternatives to HSLDA listed (It's about 1/2 way through the article):

http://hsislegal.com/do_we_need_a_ho..._organization/

[Can'tTurnLeft]

Originally Posted by Miss O's Mama

Maybe I am naive, but I figured b/c we live in a very liberal/progressive community (I wasn't thinking of state regulations ) and in this day & age we wouldn't need to worry about "protection" of this type.

Liberal/progressive communities are where you have to worry the most about "protection" If you lived in a very conservative community you would be far safer to homeschool I think that the HSLDA has a good purpose and overall do good things. But they can be aggressive. I personally would be a member if I were homeschooling in any blue state, or any swing state. I live in Oklahoma, the most conservative state in the country and if I end up homeschooling I won't join. There is no need IMO

[Bonnie]

HSLDA spends time and money lobbying for things which have, IMNSHO, nothing to do with protecting my right to homeschool and which I don't support. Specifically, they're big on the Christian parents' "right" to use corporal punishment, and are vocal about it, as well as being a vocal lobby against the "gay marriage threat" to the American family. Meh. Not relevant, IMO, and I don't appreciate the thought of my contribution going to those causes without my input or direction.

Originally Posted by erin

Liberal/progressive communities are where you have to worry the most about "protection" If you lived in a very conservative community you would be far safer to homeschool I think that the HSLDA has a good purpose and overall do good things. But they can be aggressive. I personally would be a member if I were homeschooling in any blue state, or any swing state. I live in Oklahoma, the most conservative state in the country and if I end up homeschooling I won't join. There is no need IMO

Hope I'm not taking over this thread . When I was talking about "protection", I meant that my neighbor has this HSLDA card that she carries, in case someone (Social Services?) comes to her door and challenges her right to homeschool her kids. SO... I thought- hey we live in a very progressive community w/lots of homeschoolers. Although, I do need to check our state color again. Would we really need this? When you say we need more "protection" in a liberal community do you mean we might be challenged in our HS choice more? Or just if we choose Christian curriculum (we won't exclusively)? I thought it would be quite the opposite. As opposed to a very mainstream community where everyone just sends their kids to PS and the one HS family is seen as suspicious. Sorry if I'm not getting it, or if I'm taking it too far off topic I appreciate the info!!!!

[Can'tTurnLeft]

Originally Posted by Miss O's Mama

When you say we need more "protection" in a liberal community do you mean we might be challenged in our HS choice more? Or just if we choose Christian curriculum (we won't exclusively)? I thought it would be quite the opposite. As opposed to a very mainstream community where everyone just sends their kids to PS and the one HS family is seen as suspicious. Sorry if I'm not getting it, or if I'm taking it too far off topic I appreciate the info!!!!

Yeah, liberal communities are usually far more anti homeschooling than conservative ones are. You are going to be challenged far more often in a politically liberal environment than a conservative one. It doesn't matter what curriculum you choose. Liberal means less liberty in school choice generally. There is a reason that all the conservative states are easy to homeschool in and all the liberal states are more difficult.

I think you might not understand the terms liberal/progressive?

[chasingbutterflies]

Originally Posted by Bonnie

HSLDA spends time and money lobbying for things which have, IMNSHO, nothing to do with protecting my right to homeschool and which I don't support. Specifically, they're big on the Christian parents' "right" to use corporal punishment, and are vocal about it, as well as being a vocal lobby against the "gay marriage threat" to the American family. Meh. Not relevant, IMO, and I don't appreciate the thought of my contribution going to those causes without my input or direction.

We personally won't join HSLDA for exactly these reasons.

[MamaMansa]

We are members. Even though we live in a very homeschool friendly state, it's peace of mind for me.

As far as some of the negatives mentioned, no they don't openly represent people in custody disputes, but I personally know of a single mom who was represented in her case. They did have a limit to the issues they would represent, but they spent loads of time meeting with her lawyer, helping with the case, etc. They will also take on cases of people already facing problems with authorities, as I have another friend who did not join until CPS knocked on her door. They welcomed her and immediately began working on her behalf.

I've never seen any fear mongering, even before I was a member. Not to say it doesn't exist, I just haven't ever seen it.

[Rabbit]

I'm not finding in my own life that only conservatives support homeschooling, and that liberals find it threatening or that they need to call CPS on all their homeschooling friends. And I have a -lot- of progressive, liberal friends.

[MamaMansa]

Originally Posted by Peaceful Meadows

HSLDA has the reputation of fear mongering to raise memberships as well as sort of bullying other smaller homeschool organizations. Here are some blog posts on HSLDA written by the same Lady:
HSLDA: The Good
HSLDA: The Bad
HSLDA: The Ugly

I heard about Homeschool Legal Advantage and am looking into them. I don't know much about them yet. Here is an article about them in Home Education Magazine.

ETA:
I meant to post this link to Homeschool Legal Advantage's FAQ

---------- Post added at 04:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:21 AM ----------

If someone feels the need there and wants an alternative to HDLDA, I found a link with alternatives to HSLDA listed (It's about 1/2 way through the article):

http://hsislegal.com/do_we_need_a_ho..._organization/

I had to chuckle a little when reading the three articles, because in the last one she states that she is a member. If she sees that many negatives, I kind of wonder why she would send her money to them.

She's incorrect in stating that they don't represent unschoolers.