HSLDA and the Home Schooling Laws and Legality

Although each U.S state has its own rules on home schooling, it is legal to home school children in every state. It is very important that before your start home schooling your child, you check your state home schooling laws first. Then, you will know what to do before you take your child out of his or her current school.

The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)

The home schooling authority is the Home School Legal Defense Association, otherwise known as HSLDA. HSLDA will provide you with what is required for home schooling in your state. You can request a free copy of your state's homeschooling laws. They are self-explanatory. Even if you are only thinking about homeschooling, you can still get on the homeschooling mailing list. HSLDA address and contact information is:

HSLDA
PO Box 159
Paeonia Springs, VA 20219
540-338-5600
http://www.hslda.org

You can also join and be a member of HSLDA

HSLDA membership is about $100 per family. Although membership of HSLDA is not mandatory, HSLDA members receive benefits including lawyer fees, expert witness fees, court costs, and various other expenses.  

HSLDA will have the homeschooling laws that your need. You will also find up to date information and rules through your Home School Support Group.

Legal Insurance for home schooling

Some insurance companies may try to sell homeschoolers 'legal insurance'. Legal insurance is supposed to help the family in case the family is taken to court for homeschooling. This is not necessary. If you goal is to educate your child to the best of your ability with all the accurate information, then you have nothing to worry about. In which case, legal insurance is not necessary. The same goes with home school attorneys. If you are doing everything correctly to your best ability, you should not have to worry about someone taking you to court over home schooling your child.

Standardized testing for home school

Some states require standardized testing or evaluation. Your state will tell you what you need to do. The exact rules can be obtained from the state but these standardized tests can usually be done by any of the following:

• state or local education agency
• state board
• state school chief
• certified teachers