BellaOnline Forums Education Homeschooling HSLDA

Something else to keep in mind is that the state child services tend to get over zelous and don't follow their own laws.

It's come up here before (not with me) 5 year olds pulled out of kindergarten even with the required letter.

Samten,
Meg is right on with her statement.

"unfortunately if you are using the free aid for your son you are subject to their regulations. It will be hard to make a break for it now that he is on their radar." <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

It all comes down to money. Please try Legal Aid, (make a peat of yourself), and don't give up.

Too late on the pest part <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I've already made a pest of my self. I have joined and or e-mailed a dozen different local groups some specializing in HS affairs some secial needs childrens issues.

Good Morning Everyone!

My name is Deanna, and I've been homeschooling my 7 and 9 year old from the start. I belong to a wonderful local group and never have heard of anyone needing legal assistance for homeschooling. In fact, I don't even know anyone who knows anyone LOL.

I never even considered joining HSLDA.

I homeschool in California though, and I think it's pretty easy to homeschool here.

Hi Deanna!
Just wanted to say that your avatar is absolutely gorgeous!Where did you get it? <img src="/images/graemlins/lovers.gif" alt="" />

Hi Kristen,

I received it in an email from someone else a couple of years ago. It is gorgeous, isn't it <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

here is a much cited site giving you the info about the HSLDA and alternatives should you need free/low cost representation:

http://www.homeschoolingislegal.info/

This is our 6th year homeschooling. In these 6 years I've been involved in local groups in two states with over 240 families. I know two families in real life who have had legal issues. For me only the "in real life" stories count, people I have met personally, face-to-face.

The first person was in trouble with the police because her 8 yr old daughter was outside playing alone. This goes a lot deeper than that, however. It comes down to the fact that the child was NOT being legally homeschooled. Her mother hadn't bothered to send in a letter of intent as required by the law nor did she enroll her child in am umbrella school or private tutoring. She intended to stay under the radar, she didnt count on a neighbor being a police officer (where we lived letting a child under the age of 12 alone & unsupervised for any reason was against local ordinances) The mother faxed her letter of intent hours after the initial problem with the police, the school district didnt cause any problems for her. She did call the HSLDA but they wouldn't represent her, nor should they have because she wasn't homeschooling legally. No charges were filed and nothing ever came of it except a nasty news story.

The second was a legally homeschooling family. The school was insisting the family didn't file a letter of intent but the family didn't have to as one child wasn't of comp. age. Florida has vague comp. education laws. In this case the family did need representation and they didnt mind the HSLDA's religious viewpoints. The HSLDA did help this family. They sent a nasty letter to the school and took on the family. I dont know if the family had to join or not, I didnt ask. The school district did subside. The family didnt want to join the HSLDA but it was to the point where the school district was demanding illegal portfolio evaluations.

There *is* a place for the HSLDA when it comes to homeschooling. I have no problem with the HSLDA's existance, but I do have a problem with a group who represents "all" homeschoolers and takes that and decides what I stand for.

When it comes to homeschooling it doesnt matter what I think about gay marriage or abortion or allowing women in India that they cannot use birth control. When it comes to homeschooling the only thing that matters is educating my children at home without interference. If the HSLDA would just stick to that it'd be swimming.

*sigh*

I was sent some information yesterday <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here is one site I was sent
http://www.wrightslaw.com/

She recommended a book, Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004

The law I was trying to find out about is FAPE, free appropriate public education.

Something she mentioned that I sure will be of interest to some of you,


I'm glad I'm not in CA. If I do agree (If I do have me committed) to sending Bry to the schools I will be the mom who demands to be able to pop in and see how my non-verbal child is doing. I could not allow my child to go someplace and I not have be allowed to see if he is doing alright or not. Not in this day and age.

I'm feeling optimistic for the first time in weeks. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

California is pretty infamous for having unfriendly education laws. I'm not sure of the exact wording of the law, I have to look it up again, but I *think* the laws are written to make the term home education illegal. "home education" is the legal term for homeschooling in most states.

I'm sure Terrie could provide insight on CA laws <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

meg

It is so beautifu;!! I'm looking for it online. And I believe in faeries and angels-