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Mary G
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Ladies,
I read something interesting on Lissa's blog yesterday about HSLDA and I was wondering what y'alls take on it is. Lissa mentions that she used to belong to HSLDA but disliked where they were heading. She also mentions a piece of legislation that they're pushing -- HR 1815, particularly sec 522. Here's a link to her blog:Homeschoolers FYI.
Now this really got me thinking about the value of my membership in HSLDA. Are you all members or not? If not, why not? I thought it sounded like a good thing to belong to, but if they're pushing bills on the Federal level that are best left to the States, I have a bit of a problem with that.
Lissa also prints part of an "open letter" from Mary McCarthy that has very compelling information.....
So, all you experts and long-term homeschoolers -- what do you think? Is HSLDA a valuable organization that should have my money or not? Is there a Catholic alternative that I should support?
Any advice or comments will be appreciated.
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Dec 21 2005 at 8:14am | IP Logged
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Mary,
This is a tough issue. Right now, I know of no other way to get good, quick, inexpensive legal defense except to join HSLDA. I'm distressed that they've moved toward pushing a political agenda and especially distressed that they assume all homeschoolers want the same things that they do.
Having said that, I've seen two homeschooling friends go through some things that literally drove them to join HSLDA...because they needed good, inexpensive, expert, immediate legal help. One of the cases is still going on. I can assure you that no enlisted person in the U. S. military can afford to hire an independent attorney (let alone one versed in homeschooling law) on the salary Uncle Sam pays him or her. Many enlisted folks I know are on food stamps and WIC. There's really no alternative to HSLDA for an enlisted homeschooling family.
Recently I have been forced by circumstances to conclude that some states and/or counties are, indeed, hostile to homeschoolers. They persist in their attempts to make homeschooling more difficult, in spite of state laws regulating home education. Some people, unfortunately, are also victims of false accusations of child neglect or abuse...Here in Almost Heaven, these accusations, sometimes levied by family members who don't understand home education, can result in blitzkrieg-like investigations by Child Protective Services. If CPS decides against the family, children are promptly removed into foster care...and put into public schools. (Foster children can't be homeschooled in many states.)
So, what's a family to do? Take a chance that nothing will happen, that CPS will never show up, and hope for the best? In some places, I think that approach will work. Not up here. I can't possibly take a chance that some person might call in an anonymous accusation (perhaps because he doesn't like his current chain of command, or resents being ordered to Afghanistan, or hates my California license plate...and he works for my husband...or perhaps because she lives out in town and hates the Navy...or ??? At least my family supports our decision to homeschool; I'm blessed!). I know what will happen. It's happening to my friends right now.
I reluctantly write that check to HSLDA each year, knowing that part of the money will go toward pushing an anti-Catholic homeschooling agenda, and that some will go toward political grandstanding. But I write it out anyway.
I do think that Lissa's right in saying that it's our duty as parents to find out where our HSLDA dues are going. We should tell HSLDA what we think. We should encourage HSLDA to represent its members fairly and fully. If we can take the time to let American Girl know we don't like their agenda, we can and should do the same if we disagree with HSLDA and are part of its membership.
I'd gladly consider a Catholic alternative. I'd gladly consider an apolitical alternative. The one alternative I won't consider is putting my beloved children at risk.
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Sarah
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We are members. I like the idea of having legal help should we ever have a social worker at our door. In our state we sign a paper that says that we allow someone from the school board to come into our homes and check out our classroom/learning environment at an appointed time agreed upon by the parents and school board.  Furthermore, we must allow the school board to test our children with standarized testing if they want to  . As many of you might agree, if this were the case. . . if they did enter my house and took my children for testing they would
1-find that our environment was probably unfit for learning (which it is not--we're happy & learning)
2-my kids wouldn't do well on their little tests (scared and unprepared for such a thing!).
Although Mary's claims are probably legitimate. . .that the Gov. could step in and make their own little idea of what a graduate is. I currently feel a need more real with my young children, not just an idea of something that COULD happen. These are ALREADY our laws here and if/when I get that phone call that says they have reason to believe we are not doing what they thought we should based on accusations of our neighbors (one who is a ps school teacher for 35 years and the rest are very much in the culture) I want what help I can get to back me because right now that seems more real. We'll continue our membership. I'll talk to my husband about whether he'll address the military situation with them.
What if we didn't sign the paper letting the school board in our house and our kids to be tested? The law states that we'd be criminals  and treated as such.
Welcome to America!
It should also be said that I have not heard of this happening to any hs-er here. We keep a low profile! And I have my HSLDA membership card pinned up in the closet by the front door should I ever need it.
__________________
Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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Rachel May
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I can't say I'm well educated about law, but here are my 2 cents about the military and the HSLDA.
I have always understood the HSLDA's work to make homeschoolers acceptable to the military was done at the request of homeschoolers who wanted that path for themselves or parents who wanted that path for their children. The GED was created as a method to allow non-high school graduates into the military in WWII. Later it became unacceptable to join the military with only a GED. So I have understood the HSLDA's work as trying to even the playing field for homeschoolers who do not have a standard high school diploma and for whom the GED will not help, much the same way we want colleges to accept our homeschooled children's work. Not all children want or are appropriately equipped for college. Why should we limit their options? Since the miltary is a Federal institution, wouldn't you need a Federal law to effect it? Or could that change be made within military law? I don't know.
Even though homeschoolers have been accepted in the military in the past, it does not mean that the process was regular or fair. Is this law a means of providing a standard operating procedure for military recruiters?
I know the law also mentions preferential treatment for homeschool recruits. I doubt that means a "nice" drill sergeant at basic training.  But what it may mean is that college credits or other specialized training that our kids have would be accepted in the same way that any other recruit's extra training or college credit can be accepted. That extra training can lead to enlistment bonuses, increased rank after basic training, or better choice of a military occupation specialty (MOS).
As for homeschoolers being targeted by military recruiters...I guess I don't see what the big deal is. A military recruiter is allowed on a high school campus under the same law as college recruiters (at least in Maryland). But how many of us are going to invite them onto our "campus"? Even in our house, where my husband is active duty military, I can't say we try to sell being in the Army as a future career. Right now I have some future missionaries, priests and nuns.
Anyway, to my understanding, the wording of "recruitmenet and enlistment" means that if you take your kid--or he takes himself--to a military recruiter, he is eligible to be recruited. Without that legal distinction, he would not be eligible to be recruited, like a convicted felon for example.
In the end, I'm unconcerned with this specific law, but I am concerned--like so many of us--about not having affordable legal advice if a social worker were to show up at my house and want to inspect it.
I read information about the HSLDA. If I disagreed with something I saw, I would write to them and let them now. I plan to continue being a member.
__________________
Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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momwise
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| Posted: Dec 21 2005 at 3:55pm | IP Logged
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Mary G. wrote:
| I read something interesting on Lissa's blog yesterday about HSLDA and I was wondering what y'alls take on it is. |
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Mary,
My mind is pretty much a blank right now but I know I have read several criticisms of HSLDA by the Kasemans in Home Education magazine. When the earliest homeschoolers fought for rights, it was on the theory that choosing to educate your children at home is a basic constitutional right. According to the Kasemans and other critics, HSLDA has a different strategy in that they are trying to codify rights by statute, which presumes the state is granting rights when they should be inherent. I'm pretty sure the issue Lissa wrote about was covered by them.
I'm going to have to go back and read more about the issue. You can find most of the Kasemans articles at the HE archives. Regardless of whether you want to use HSLDA or not, most of their writing is pretty eye opening.
__________________
Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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ALmom
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I went to read Lissa's article in the blog you highlighted. I am not an expert at legaleese and don't have enough knowledge or information to comment on the particular bill. Before I made any comments - either to my congressmen or HSLDA, I'd take it to some Catholic homeschooling lawyers that I know. We are members of HSLDA and will remain so. Our state is not one of those that challenges homeschoolers, and our cover school does not require membership.
That being said - I do think there are a few things that are worth pointing out. HSLDA's purpose was clear when we joined: defending and representing individual homeschoolers and advocating for and improving the environment for homeschoolers. I do not think they have deviated from those goals. They started to with Patrick Henry College but saw the light and seperated the two entities.
In general, I agree with their general ideals - not necessarily with the best way to achieve this. IE I am not always real comfortable with advocating for federal legislation as the best solution to an unfair or biased situation. I do appreciate that they keep me informed on legislation that comes up that does impact homeschoolers. I do not always write the letters they recommend - it depends on how I see it.
I do see a problem with saying we have no business legislating at the federal level at all with regards to homeschooling. I'd like to see that become unnecessary - but until the department of education is disbanded and school systems are left in the hands of local districts - I don't know that it can be entirely avoided. There are plenty of things at the federal level that impact all homeschoolers - and thanks to HSLDA, so far, most of that either has been limited in its damage or positive for homeschoolers. Do you want your children to have equal access to student loans (a lot of them are federal loans and schools have at times felt that homeschoolers didn't qualify or they'd lose federal aid. I personally think there should be an even playing field for homeschoolers, public schoolers and private schoolers in terms of access to scholarships, military recruitment, and loans. I am not knowledgeable enough to know whether or not the specific language is dangerous or not. HSLDA lawyers do advocate and lobby - so does my insurance company, most business interests, the AMA. They do not represent my views on everything and their lobbying results affect me quite a bit, but I still have no problem using their services. My insurance company also pays for contraceptives - a lot pay for elective abortions. Do we go without medical insurance? We researched alternatives - and there are none that we could find. This is a much bigger moral issue than whether or not I agree with certain approaches to making homeschooling on equal footing with other schooling (which I consider a matter of differing opinions not a moral issue).
I do think the implication that HSLDA is somehow anti-Catholic is unfair. They have been very helpful to us and many that I know. The lawyer that helped found our cover school consulted with them as we set up our school for Catholics and they were quite open to defending us even though we were using things unique to the Catholic church in our organizing documents and very different from every other homeschool cover in our state up to that point. Someone we know wanted to find out about homeschooling laws in the state they were moving to as it was one of the worst states for homeschooling - and they wanted to talk to other Catholics in the area. They are happy to keep and pass on contact information for Catholic homeschoolers in each state if someone volunteers to them to be that contact. HSLDA had a Catholic contact for them in the state they were moving to. HSLDA spent numerous hours on the phone providing advice and assistance in keeping with this person's interests. They did not withhold information about state provided diplomas etc. since this was one concern (they were moving mid-year with a 12th grader).
When our daughter got a music job at our parish and they wanted her to get a work permit, I called HSLDA to figure out how to do it and found out we didn't need to because she was almost 18 (even though the diocese thought it was needed) and was able to avoid one piece of silly paperwork. (This was all thanks to the lawsuit fears created by the church scandals and the ridiculous proceedures everyone has to see will do nothing to protect children - which is a whole rant I will avoid!!!) I have found HSLDA helpful in all my conversations with them. I have never felt that they were pushing their religious beliefs on me.
The Court Report has a Protestant flavor in terms of vocabulary etc. but nothing I would find offensive or anti-Catholic.
I have absolutely no qualms about using HSLDA as my legal insurance and as a first alert to legislation that might impact me. I would not be as comfortable if I felt there was anti-Catholicism or direct attempts to influence my religious beliefs. I have not seen any of that in my dealings with them.
Janet
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Mary G
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| Posted: Dec 22 2005 at 7:33am | IP Logged
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Ladies -- thanks for all your input. I hope I didn't offend anyone by bringing this up. I was just curious how others saw HSLDA. I'm not an expert on legislation and I can see how federalizing homeschool laws can be a problem for folks. But, I also see the need to ensure that ALL students -- whether public, private or homeschooled -- should have the same benefits. I see HSLDA as doing that.
Any other input from the long-term hs'ers?
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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momwise
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| Posted: Dec 22 2005 at 8:31am | IP Logged
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Mary G. wrote:
| I hope I didn't offend anyone by bringing this up. |
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Mary, I don't think anyone is offended. Lots of people have good reasons for belonging to HSLDA and some people like Lissa have problems. Frankly I think we as Catholic homeschoolers have to be able to discuss legal issues without being so personally offended.
Mary G. wrote:
| But, I also see the need to ensure that ALL students -- whether public, private or homeschooled -- should have the same benefits. I see HSLDA as doing that. |
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Therein lies one of the legal problems: public and private students that have certain benefits bestowed upon them by the gov't must take a certain amount of gov't oversight and regulation. Perhaps that is not the best thing for homeschooling families? Do we have to have every benefit (such as tax credits) or can we forego some of them for the sake of privacy?
To their credit, HSLDA addresses this issue to my satisfaction on their positions page. So I am having trouble figuring out how they became involved with the military bill in the first place.
__________________
Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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ALmom
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The intent of the military bill has to do with how graduates are perceived. If families are homeschooling according to the laws of their states and a student graduated from such a school, then they should not be forced to take the same path as high school drop outs. If they are, in fact viewed as high school drop-outs by the military or viewed as inelgible for federal college loans because they homeschooled - this is in effect a de - facto lack of recognition of the parents right to homeschool. This should be addressed in some way. I do not think it should be addressed by a federal definition of homeschooling unless it simply recognizes the fact of its existence in accordance with state law. I do not have the exact wording of that bill in front of me - if someone has it, it would be very helpful to have it posted. I consult a Catholic homeschooling lawyer because of a lawyers knowledge of and ability to follow long term consequences and the understanding of the precision of legal language. The exact wording - not general summaries- are extremely important when making a decision about whether or not to support a bill. I consult someone whom I trust. I do not by myself have the ability to make those calls - if I tried I'd probably, by default, oppose everything out of fear. I do not take HSLDA as the only legal authority - it is one that I know puts a lot of emphasis on the right to homeschool. But I also know the lawyers who have organized the service are Protestant and may have a tendency to the manifest destiny mindset and I might not always agree with them - I do consult other sources and always look at the exact wording of legislation if I can get my hands on it.
I do see a big difference between saying that parents should be able to homeschool and have their child play on public school teams or participate in drama or receive government money or grants for their curriculum. It is not seeking entitlement or entangling the homeschool in government oversight to want to assure that homeschool graduates are treated as graduates in all aspects of public life.
The law, as it is worded, may or may not, depending on very precise language and precedent be of concern. There is some concern, I think legitimate, that some things HSLDA propose may in the long run backfire. IE - a law on the books can always be modified over time. This has been their concern with charter schools, which they oppose. There has been some legislation that HSLDA has supported or pushed that I think might prove to backfire in the long run. This may or may not be one of them. I have also felt this way about the bill to protect religious freedom and did not support their stance on this - though religious freedom is certainly important to me, I did not think it should be legislated as such as I felt it opened a whole bag of worms best left alone as the constitutional ammendment stands and poor interpretation of this ammendment fought in the courts. I do think it is important to discuss this and carefully consider long term ramifications and if you have come to a strong opinion on something, I think it is certainly possible and right to discuss concerns with HSLDA. I think that even a homeschooler who was not a member could write and address their concerns to HSLDA. Our cover school does communicate concerns and disagreements tactfully - and we have consulted representatives from other states when we felt our own were pulling the wool over our eyes.
I think it is misguided to become angry with HSLDA because we have a difference of opinion on some of these things. Nor do I think it wise to throw out all the good they do in many areas - the alerts about not giving more than the state law requires, the push they have made to require (on the federal level) social workers to respect the constitution and ammendments just as any other official would and how this has benefitted many families. Their legal counsel, alerts about legislation like the HR 6 which my own representatives tried to lie to me about, the attempts by the federal government to enforce National Standards, the information and services they provide about homeschooling in the states, and the numerous everyday pieces of information about how to go about things in the state (driver ed discounts, work permits, ....) and the general benefits of working together to have a greater impact are all positives. Our founding fathers had very deep disagreements about some things but if they had splintered over disagreements and forgotten the overall goal instead of hashing through those, we'd never have achieved independence and a lot of folks would have lost everything, including their lives. I really do think that HSLDA is trying to provide a legal service to any homeschoolers that want it - Catholic, Protestant, other faiths, secular etc without forcing their own convictions on us. Of course the founders of HSLDA have deeply held religious beliefs that inspired the creation of the organization and that will permeate to some degree, what they do. We'd be unfair to think they should pretend not to have those convictions. I do think they do a good job of being supportive and respectful of the variety of opinions of the members and are not overtly trying to convert us or being malicious or tricky. They hold very strongly to the parents right to make determinations for their own children. They have helped parents with their legal services even when parents were chosing a path that HSLDA does not recommend. As such, I can rely on their services without any qualms.
I was in no way offended by the question. I think it is a good one and thinking through the issues carefully is an important one. We really need to see an exact copy of the bill. I could not begin to form an opinion without that.
I do not mean my own opinions here to imply that I am placing judgement on Lisa - I only read the one linked article. I do not know all her personal experiences with HSLDA or the depth of reflection that led to her decision to withdraw from HSLDA. I felt it was important, since it was requested, to share our own experiences. I find them very helpful and do not have to agree with everything in order to utilize and pay for their services. I make a distinction between legitimate differences of opinion and a moral issue. We agree that homeschooling is a right, that parents are the ones responsible for making decisions about the children's education and well being - we differ sometimes on how best to accomplish that. There are lots of areas of disagreement on many issues that are legitimate differences that we are still working through both within the church and in society. Perhaps it is because we have been homeschooling for so long and spent years refusing to use anything that wasn't "perfect" to our detriment that we have come to be a little more philosophical about it.
Hope I didn't offend with my strongly worded opinion - but it is simply that - my opinion.
Janet
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Lissa
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ALmom wrote:
| I do not have the exact wording of that bill in front of me - if someone has it, it would be very helpful to have it posted. |
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Janet, here's a link to a PDF of the bill. Section 522, the part which concerns homeschoolers, is on page 157. I'll copy it here. The parts in red are the bits I find worrisome.
Quote:
SEC. 522. RECRUITMENT AND ENLISTMENT OF HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS IN THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) POLICY ON RECRUITMENT AND ENLISTMENT.
(1) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a policy on the recruitment and enlistment of home schooled students in the Armed Forces.
(2) UNIFORMITY ACROSS THE ARMED FORCES The Secretary shall ensure that the policy prescribed under paragraph (1) applies, to the extent practicable, uniformly across the Armed Forces.
(b) ELEMENTS.--The policy under subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) An identification of a graduate of home schooling for purposes of recruitment and enlistment in the Armed Forces that is in accordance with the requirements described in subsection (c).
(2) Provision for the treatment of graduates of home schooling with no practical limit with regard to enlistment eligibility.
(3) An exemption of graduates of home schooling from the requirement for a secondary school diploma or an equivalent (GED) as a precondition for
enlistment in the Armed Forces.
(c) HOME SCHOOL GRADUATES.--In prescribing the policy, the Secretary of Defense shall prescribe a single set of criteria to be utilized by the Armed Forces in determining whether an individual is a graduate of home schooling. The Secretary concerned shall ensure compliance with education credential coding requirements. |
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So the problem some folks (including me) have with the bill is the language which specifies that the Secretary of Defense must determine the criteria which define whether our kids are "graduates" of our home schools. I'm willing to bet Donald Rumsfeld (or the people he'll delegate the task to) has a different definition of appropriate education than I do.
As for HSLDA's role in this legislation, Scott Somerville of HSLDA has spoken very frankly on several HS lists (such as HEM-Networking) about HSLDA's determination to see this bill become law. Their success in putting it through has a great deal to do with the perception in the eyes of many legislators that HSLDA represents homeschoolers in general, when of course the truth is that HSLDA actually represents only a small percentage of homeschoolers. Many govt officials are unaware of the distinction and assume that if HSLDA is lobbying for something, it is something homeschoolers in general want. This is, of course, not always the case. But I do believe HSLDA makes use of the assumption in pursuit of its goals.
My post was intended to draw attention to the controversy because I think many people are unaware the issue exists at all. Like you, I think it's important to be well informed and to think issues through. I'm not at all offended if someone thinks the matter through and disagrees with me, of course!  I just want to make sure people know it EXISTS.
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Lissa
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Lissa
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Quote:
| I do think that Lissa's right in saying that it's our duty as parents to find out where our HSLDA dues are going. We should tell HSLDA what we think. We should encourage HSLDA to represent its members fairly and fully. If we can take the time to let American Girl know we don't like their agenda, we can and should do the same if we disagree with HSLDA and are part of its membership. |
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Beautifully put, Nancy! Yes, that's exactly my view. I don't object to people belonging to HSLDA if they feel the organization meets their needs (how could I object to what is none of my business?) ; I simply want members to be aware of what HSLDA's goals and motives are and, as you say, let them know what you think.
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Lissa
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Mary G
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 Lissa
That's why I asked the question to begin with. I WANT to be an informed HSLDA member (and decide whether to re-up next year) and ensure that laws that affect my homeschool are good laws.
I appreciate your bringing it up on your blog and I hope you didn't mind me bringing it up here.
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Lissa
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Quote:
| I appreciate your bringing it up on your blog and I hope you didn't mind me bringing it up here. |
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I'm delighted that you did! This is exactly the kind of discussion I was hoping to spark by bringing up the issue on the blog. Thanks!
__________________
Lissa
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ALmom
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Lissa,
Thank you for printing the link to the bill. Unfortunately, we missed that one and this whole discussion has been a good reminder for me to stay on top of legislation that HSLDA is pushing. 
One thing that did upset me was the tone of the letter from Mary Mccarthy and thus my response was worded defensively (and late at night - I should have known better - sorry about that).
There are several issues that were discussed - one related to legislation, lobbying and staying on top of it and keeping HSLDA and our representatives informed when we disagree. In this I am in full agreement. Since I have now seen the bill's wording - I also agree that this is not legislation I would have wanted - and I am sorry I was not on top of it in time to tell my representatives beforehand. I will do some work to discuss this with our cover and try to address my disagreement on this bill with HSLDA. I will try to do better in the future.
Lissa - is there someone that is following all this legislation that is not HSLDA? What about HSLDA sponsored legislation - someone must be following it. Could there be another topic for legislative issues? I feel that in the last several years - with dc and no internet savvy - my dh even had to show me how to search to find the actual paragraph of legislation in that huge bill - I've just not been keeping up with any legislation on issues that I care about unless someone sends me the wording and a message of concern. If I'd been on my own, I probably would just have had to give up. I cannot keep up with all this stuff. (so thanks for copying the pertinent paragraph in your reply!!!)
The other issue is whether or not HSLDA should be involved in lobbying or other work at all. I do think that legislative watching and lobbying is legitimate in that there have been many bills that were placed before us that would have been terrible for homeschoolers - and HSLDA was quick to inform us and mobilize action. I do not always agree with their particular take on the best way to support homeschoolers in the legislative arena and have disagreed with them in particulars. I do not think it fair to paint them as having an anti-Catholic agenda. I personally think it is more helpful to express ourselves tactfully and clearly on each specific bill we disagree about rather than run from membership or begin saying they have an anti-Catholic agenda (I know that wasn't your open letter, Lissa).
I do think charges that they are unwilling to defend anyone that doesn't jump through their hoops to be unfair. I am not strictly an unschooler so I cannot speak for this - but I do see that they would need to have some sort of evidence to present in court. I have no reason to believe that they would not defend me if my schooling were challenged. I also know that they have willingly connected Catholics with other homeschooling Catholics in different areas. My personal experience and that of our cover school, gives me no reason to think that they are out pushing an anti-Catholic agenda. Nor do they seem unwilling to defend when you do not follow advice - ie we did not have a local pastor or church for our first many years of homeschooling (in Al the school has to be a ministry of a local church), we asked HSLDA about their willingness to defend our members with our initially very unusual justification as a church school - using the universal character of the Catholic church. We did not have (at the time) the usual signature of a pastor or church official and yet they were quite professional in their dealings with us - stating it was defensible and they would defend our members. Certainly, I disagree with
some of their legislative attempts - that does not mean they are an organization unworthy of my dues. I do not see any real alternatives out there anyways. We have financially supported various Catholic lawyers associations - all of them trying to do much needed and wonderful work but spread extremely thin.
I am concerned that some of the rhetoric in the particular open letter is calling on people to run from HSLDA. I am not saying that individuals shouldn't evaluate their own circumstances to decide if the dues are worth it or not. I just think it is unfair to HSLDA to promote a general don't renew because of the legislation they are pushing. I've agreed with some and disagreed with some. I and those I know have received valuable legal services from them - mostly advice, often just the name HSLDA eliminates hassle, often a time saving explanation of the law in my state and how to go about doing what I need to for my dc. A social worker at my door is not likely in my state (at least not now) but I do like HSLDA membership as one more thing we do to have one more defense to protect our rights to homeschool.
When my relatives first started homeschooling here, we know of a mom that went to jail for homeschooling (before HSLDA) and later a mom who was challenged because she did odd things (one of them being homeschooling). HSLDA defended this family and won. In my books, all the good done is worth the membership fee, whether or not I agree with every single piece of legislation they push.
The other issue - and I don't think this was an issue for Lissa as much as for the author of the open letter - had to do with military recruiters. I really do believe that there has been an inconsistant and sometimes biased approach to homeschool graduates depending on where they live. There have also been cases where post-secondary schools have created problems for students in federal financial aid and admissions based on homeschooling. This has also been true in military academies and military recruiters. A lot depends on the bias of the individual your child happens to deal with. These are of concern to me and whether my children are interested in the military or not, I do see a need to insure fairness in recruiting policies. I don't disagree with HSLDA on this as much as on how they went about trying to get it.
Janet
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guitarnan
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Janet brings up a good side topic: many universities make homeschool graduates take the GED exam before they'll consider their applications. HSLDA has a good list of universities who accept homeschoolers. I recently had to do a great deal of research on this topic and it was a bit alarming to discover that my son's hard work was going to be ignored in favor of yet another standardized test - the GED exam.
I'm the one that brought up HSLDA's anti-Catholic agenda. I didn't mean to say that HSLDA is against Catholics or won't defend them (they certainly have helped me and the only other Catholic homeschooling family in my county), but it's my opinion that their worldview and their ultimate goals for homeschoolers are deeply rooted in their Protestant beliefs. That's perfectly fine. I feel confident they'd defend any Catholic member as ably as they possibly could. They do use their publications to project their worldview (again fine).
I only brought this up because HSLDA does have an overarching agenda (they say their organization has a "mission")...this is clear from, for example, their monumental efforts to pass the bill Lissa brought up in her blog, or from their establishment and spin-off of Patrick Henry College (a Christian college). It's OK that they have a mission, but it's important to know that they have one if you decide to join the organization. That's all I meant to say, not that they wouldn't defend Catholics or that they actively discriminate against them as individuals. (However, HSLDA does specify in their "jobs" section that applicants must be practicing Christians. I don't know if they mean "Protestant" Christians.)
For other discussions of the military bill in particular, you might check out Valerie Moon's website, www.militaryhomeschoolers.com (she's a military homeschooler and grew up in a military family). She's done a ton of research and commentary on this issue. She objects to the bill for the same basic reasons Lissa stated.
Hope this clarifies some things.
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Anne Marie M
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Nancy,
I'm glad you clarified what you meant by HSLDA's anti-Catholic agenda, although I would use the word non-Catholic rather than anti-Catholic. I have never seen any instance of anti-Catholic behavior from HSLDA.
On the topic of job applicants, I do know that several years ago they had at least one Catholic as an employee. (We got on the subject at a homeschooling conference when she saw my miraculous medal - and yes, she was an employee and not a volunteer or college student.) I don't know if they do now.
I don't mean to nitpick, but I do think it's important to be careful and not see anti-Catholicism everywhere (goodness knows there's enough out there already!).
Thanks to all for the heads-up on the military issue. I need to do some more research (after Christmas!) before I make up my mind on that one.
Anne Marie
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guitarnan
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Anne Marie,
That's good to know...maybe someday we'll be living in their area and I can apply for a job! (We have military friends who are building a house near there.)
I am probably being hyper-paranoid. I used to think Catholics were accepted or tolerated nearly everywhere. Living up here has been a real education for me. I was at a homeschoolers' presentation here and the kind lady who gave the talk did a great job right up until the part where she said, "And you know, Hindus worship idols, just like the Catholics do." 
The military recruiting/enlistment status thing is extremely complex. As a military spouse, I'd encourage anyone with children contemplating joining the armed forces to talk to people besides recruiters. Recruiters are generally good people trying to do a tough job, but they often don't mention all the officer training programs out there, some of which can help pay one's way through college.
More importantly, though, I suggest finding some active duty people for teens to speak with, so they can get a really good idea of what they're in for. In this day and age, joining the military is a really tough decision. It's not just a way to pay for college, because your chances of heading off to combat zones are great. (I've lost count of the teens my dh has talked with about service academies, enlisting, boot camp, etc. He tries very hard to be honest and objective about it. The military life isn't for everyone!)
Good luck with your research!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: HSLDA?
