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Bella
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I have gotten both positive and negative opinions about this organization. All references have been "spoken" w/o specific references.
If you have any experience with them, can you please share? If you or someone you know has had negative experiences with them, I would also like to hear! 
Thank you!!
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Bella
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Jody
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We have had great experience with HSLDA and we have been members for years.
Some years ago we were having difficulty with the superintendent of our new school district. He would not accept my notification forms or my academic assessment reports that were filled out according to law by a certified teacher. He wanted more information about the certified teacher. He was requiring me to get this before he would accept the forms even though the law did not require it.
We contacted HSLDA and they immediately contacted the superitendent of the school. In a short time the whole matter was resolved. I have had no further trouble.
Also when I contacted them about colleges/immunizations questions they responded very quickly and were very helpful in pointing me in the right direction.
I say 
Peace,
Jody
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molly
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I am with Jody, nothing but positive experience here. I would not HS w/ out them.
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stellamaris
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We have been members for HSLDA for years. We have only needed their assistance once with the local superintendent, but they were great. Belonging to HSLDA provides a wonderful peace of mind and assurance that you will have legal help for free, basically, if the need ever arises. Also, they are legal watchdogs for the entire homeschool community. Even if we never used their legal services ourselves, I would consider it worth the annual fee to support their ongoing efforts to protect parent's legal rights.
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Martha in VA
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molly wrote:
| I am with Jody, nothing but positive experience here. I would not HS w/ out them. |
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Ditto! 
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KackyK
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Only positive here.
They answer questions immediately when you call. And they don't mind my simple questions that I always seem to forget the answer to year after year and call every August about  .
Plus this Friday I'm going to their High School Symposium (an all day affair with lunch provided too). I have heard great things about it and I'm looking forward to it.
I also have heard amazing wonderful things about their high school advisors too.
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Nedra in So. CA
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n/a
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Bella
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Wow! Such wonderful experiences! Thank you for sharing! 
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Bella
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Bookswithtea
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Fwiw, the negative opinions out there regarding HSLDA usually revolve around these things...They tend to not be as comfortable with unschooling (some muse that they might not represent someone who unschools), and they don't usually get involved in hsing disputes that involve divorce (which is the majority of hs-ing dispute cases, I believe). Those that don't care for HSLDA also cite their heavy involvement in politics that not all homeschoolers share (they are very conservative protestant). They are definitely controversial within the wider homeschool movement.
That said, they have always answered my questions promptly, called back within the same day, etc. I'm grateful for their presence within the homeschool movement, but they don't guarantee free legal representation. I don't think they turn down the majority of people, but it isn't actually guaranteed (in the small print), and that is something to keep in mind.
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Matilda
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Thank you, Books! I too have heard whisperings of negative comments about HSLDA but had no idea as to the reasoning behind them.
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Lisbet
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We are members of HSLDA, and we have been since we had some legal issues over the past few years. I will say though, I wish there were another organization, or that we didn't have to belong - for a number of reasons.
I don't think we can say that they represent 'all' homeschoolers, as they are heavily protestant - and that bothers me.
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mrsgranola
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I am one of those with a negative view of HSLDA. I have softened somewhat but historically they haven't always been welcoming to those with a more relaxed homeschooling style and their WAY Protestant views/speakers associated with them bothers me, as well.
I can't remember specifics right now... it's been some years since I delved into it... I will try to elaborate when I can. I would suggest you check out Home Education Magazine for more ino.
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folklaur
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I am not a member, although after moving to a state that was not as homeschool friendly as AZ was, we have considered it. It was unnecessary in AZ. I believe in some states HSLDA (or an organization like them) may be very necessary.
My biggest peeve with them - aside from portraying themselves as the voice of "all" homeschoolers - which they most certainly are not - is the fact that they seem to use fear and scare tactics, at times for a membership push. I do not like that tactic, I don't respect it.
(I do not want to debate this at all. I am answering simply because the OP asked for opinions both for and against, and I was trying to show another POV. That's all.)
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Matilda
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I don't see this as a debate at all and am very interested in everyone's unique point of view. Thank you Bella for starting this discussion. We have been members for a few years but recently decided not to renew until we looked into other options. We are in Texas which is also a very homeschooling friendly state and have our own Texas version of the HSDLA. I have been debating the pros and cons of supporting a state group vs. a national group. Does anyone have any insight into that question?
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folklaur
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Matilda wrote:
| I don't see this as a debate at all and am very interested in everyone's unique point of view. |
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no, no, I'm sorry, I did't mean to imply that there was a debate - so far, there isn't at all. However, it has been my experience that when I have an opinion that differs from the majority here, there have been times I have gotten raked over the coals. Usually I can deal with that, however, I am too emotinally vulnerable at this present moment to endure a raking. I wasn;t even going to post an "opposing" view due to this, but I really do feel that my POV is valid, just as I feel that others - even if I don't agree - also have a valid POV. I just wanted the OP to know that there was some "negative" views here too. iykwim.
Quote:
| Thank you Bella for starting this discussion. We have been members for a few years but recently decided not to renew until we looked into other options. We are in Texas which is also a very homeschooling friendly state and have our own Texas version of the HSDLA. I have been debating the pros and cons of supporting a state group vs. a national group. Does anyone have any insight into that question? |
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I think a state group sounds ideal in some ways, as it will address concerns specific to the community there.
But - when judges start making decisions that can be used at precedents elsewhere, then I see the need for a federal group also. If that makes sense.
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Matilda
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cactus mouse wrote:
| ...I am too emotinally vulnerable at this present moment to endure a raking. |
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I can sympathize with those raw emotions and know what it feels like to have to guard a fragile self! I'm sorry you are having one of those days today!
cactus mouse wrote:
I think a state group sounds ideal in some ways, as it will address concerns specific to the community there.
But - when judges start making decisions that can be used at precedents elsewhere, then I see the need for a federal group also. If that makes sense. |
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This is kind of what we are discerning. I do see the good that both groups offer. I have always respected HSLDA's stand on mandatory early education and defense of parents' rights. Our state group is just as wonderful and committed to these issues too plus they are very active at the state and local level. They came out and gave a presentation to our area when a daytime curfew was being introduced in a neighboring city. It is such a tough decision to make.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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Elena
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I think joining HSLDA is a good value. I did have someone threaten to call CPS on me for participating in a blog discussion. I also know that defending even against a frivolous allegation can be expensive so for a small fee each month, HSLDA is peace of mind. They do have some member discounts to that you might be interested in.Hope this is helpful.
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SuzanneG
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Here are some past discussions:
**hslda - pros/cons/alternatives
**HSLDA
**HSLDA & hsing websites
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: HSLDA
