South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools
Why We Recommend Membership in the Home School Legal Defense Association
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
Join using our HLSDA link or write “Affiliate 290033 ” in the space marked “Other” on Section 2, Question B
(“I received this application from SCAIHS”), and SCAIHS will receive $20 (new HSLDA members only). Joining HSLDA is a great way to support homeschooling freedoms and homeschooling in South Carolina at the same time!
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) was founded
in 1983 to bring together a large number of home schooling
families so that each could have a low-cost method of
obtaining quality legal defense. HSLDA gives families
freedom to home school without the fear of facing legal
challenges alone. SCAIHS members can join HSLDA at the
group membership rate of just $95 a year! (One can easily
pay more than that for less than one hour of legal
consultation.) That $95 ensures that all legal questions
regarding home schooling will be answered by a qualified
staff of attorneys and legal assistants, and that any
negative legal encounters families may face regarding their
home school will be handled in full by HSLDA, at no
additional cost— whether the resolution of the situation
requires a phone call or a court appearance.
The biggest
benefit of membership in HSLDA is the peace of mind and
heart it affords to home-schooling parents. Those who belong
to HSLDA know, that no matter what happens,they are legally
protected. They can home school in peace without worrying
about “what ifs.” “What if a truant officer knocks on my
door? What if a nosy neighbor or upset relative calls the
Department of Social Services (DSS) to anonymously report
that the kids must be truant because they are outside
playing during a school day? What if an assistant solicitor
decides to cause me problems, even though I’m complying with
the law?”
SCAIHS has been given the authority by the South Carolina
General Assembly to approve and supervise home-schooling
programs. Why would anyone need legal protection under that
scenario?
Membership in HSLDA is a safety measure—like putting on a seat belt and shoulder harness in an automobile. It may protect a person when he is least expecting an accident. Statistically, most people will never be involved in a wreck; but for those who are, the expense and inconvenience of safety belts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes become inconsequential compared to the avoidance or minimalization of injury or the saving of a life. Most home-schooling parents will never have to face a truant officer or a DSS worker. However, percentages are not comforting when you become the one that encounters difficulties. Unfortunately, in our litigations-happy society, families do not have to be guilty of anything to be taken to court or investigated by DSS. Be legally prepared. Join HSLDA now. When you see the wreck coming, it’s too late to buckle a safety belt.
The struggle for parental freedom in education has been a hard-fought battle for South Carolina’s home-schooling families. The attorneys and staff of HSLDA have been major players in this fight for freedom. HSLDA has been active in home schooling in South Carolina since 1986. In December of 1991 HSLDA won a major victory at the South Carolina State Supreme Court, invalidating the requirement in the home-schooling law that home-schooling parents without college degrees make a passing score on the Education Entrance Exam (EEE). (The EEE is an examination designed for college students, usually sophomores or juniors, pursuing a career in education.) This was a major victory for home-schooling parents, with ramifications nationwide. This decision has had the effect of discouraging other testing requirements that the educational establishment has wanted to impose on home-schooling parents, as part of a credentialing procedure.
SCAIHS was conceived amidst legislative and litigative controversy. As a fledgling organization three months old, twelve member families were charged with truancy. These truancy charges formed the basis of one of two lawsuits HSLDA litigated on behalf of SCAIHS in lower court. The Supreme Court victory of 1991, coupled with the ability to fund a prolonged legal battle (through HSLDA), opened the door for the SCAIHS legislation enjoyed today.
In 1990, HSLDA established the National Center for Home Education. The National Center is a wealth of information for home-schooling leaders nationwide. Through briefings, extensive mailing, and legislative alerts, they keep homeschool leaders aware of what is happening across the nation on a wide array of educational and legislative issues.
No one home schools in a vacuum. What happens in other states can effect South Carolina—educational and legal trends often do not respect state boundaries. By joining HSLDA, families not only secure their own protection but contribute to the larger cause of home-schooling defense and freedom across the nation.
Through their legal defense and counsel, HSLDA has played a critical
role in the development and continued success of
SCAIHS. The SCAIHS Board of Directors and staff are greatly appreciative
of their assistance, counsel, and friendship. While SCAIHS members are
not required to join HSLDA, the SCAIHS Board strongly recommends membership
in HSLDA for all home-schooling families.
An HSLDA application may be downloaded from the link above (the rectangle
with “HSLDA Preserve homeschooling!”) or by calling (540)
338-5600.