One of the first things I did when we began homeschooling was become a member of Home School Legal Defense Association, a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional rights of parents and to protect family freedoms. I have never needed their legal counsel, praise the Lord, but many families who have chosen to homeschool have, unfortunately.

Each year I renew my membership, not only as a precaution, but also to bless the men and the women who work so vigilantly for the cause of home education. We must continue to pray for God to protect our rights to homeschool in this nation, and for those who are right now in the heat of the legal battle. Let’s not forget to pray for our nation’s homeschooling freedoms on Thursday, May 6, 2010, the National Day of Prayer. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a very serious matter, one we really need to pray about, as well as other possible legislation affecting our homeschooling and other freedoms.

HSLDA’s staff carefully watch legislation, working to defeat or amend harmful bills towards homeschooling. Their site is http://www.hslda.org/join/default.asp, and has a wealth of excellent resources on home education, including a store, tips for beginner homeschoolers, homeschooling information and statutes for each state, and articles. The following information is from their website. I encourage you to check them out. 🙂

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About HSLDA

Home School Legal Defense Association is a nonprofit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms. Through annual memberships, HSLDA is tens of thousands of families united in service together, providing a strong voice when and where needed.

HSLDA advocates on the legal front on behalf of our members in matters which include conflicts with state or local officials over homeschooling. Each year, thousands of member families receive legal consultation by letter and phone, hundreds more are represented through negotiations with local officials, and dozens are represented in court proceedings. HSLDA also takes the offensive, filing actions to protect members against government intrusion and to establish legal precedent. On occasion, HSLDA will handle precedent-setting cases for nonmembers, as well.

HSLDA advocates on Capitol Hill by tracking federal legislation that affects homeschooling and parental rights. HSLDA works to defeat or amend harmful bills, but also works proactively, introducing legislation to protect and preserve family freedoms.

HSLDA advocates in state legislatures, at the invitation of state homeschool organizations, by assisting individual states in drafting language to improve their homeschool legal environment and to fight harmful legislation.

HSLDA advocates in the media by presenting articulate and knowledgeable spokesmen to the press on the subject of homeschooling. HSLDA staff members are regularly called upon for radio, television, and print interviews, and their writings are frequently published in newspapers and magazines across the country. HSLDA’s own bimonthly magazine, The Home School Court Report, provides news and commentary on a host of current issues affecting homeschoolers. And its two-minute daily radio broadcast, Home School Heartbeat, can be heard on nearly 500 radio stations.

HSLDA advocates for the movement by commissioning and presenting quality research on the progress of homeschooling. Whether it’s in print, from the podium, or on the air, HSLDA provides insightful vision and leadership for the cause of homeschooling.

Home School Legal Defense Association . . . tens of thousands of American families working through more than 50 dedicated staff members to preserve each other’s right to homeschool . . . together, “Advocates for Family & Freedom.”