Joe:
(go back to interview)

FREE Excerpt from
"A Field Guide to Homeschooling"
Chapter 11: The Homeschool Support Group

Shortly after learning about this bill, Representative Dick Armey (R-Tex.) offered an amendment to exempt home schoolers from these requirements. Within days, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) mobilized forces. A record eight hundred thousand calls flooded Congress, Michael Farris of the HSLDA made numerous national radio appearances. The end result was that the Armey Amendment to protect the rights of home education passed by a vote of 374 to 53.

Commentator Grover G. Norquist said of the series of events: "In secular Washington, their [home schools’] affiliation with born-again Christianity has led allies and adversaries alike to underestimate the home-schoolers’ political sophistication. But the most powerful union in the country (the NEA) recently tried to pull a fast one on them and they got burned."

Home schoolers have considerable political clout....
This showing of legislative and legal muscle indicates that home schoolers have considerable political clout and can lobby for favorable legislation. The success of the Home School Legal Defense Association and other similar special interest groups shows that the home schoolers can influence those in power and win court battles favorable to home educators.

Rapid growth in the total numbers of homeschoolers has also led to divisions.
Secular groups prefer not to associate with Christian groups and vice versa. Moreover, many disagreements exist over methods and philosophies. Your decision-making process about home schooling should include a thorough and exhaustive search for resources in your area. You should find a number of support or networking groups, of which you should join at least one Christian group. There are also many other wonderful opportunities offered by groups of unschoolers or those who are not overtly religious. You can share enthusiasm for home schooling with these families, even if you don’t share the same creed.

This is a broad picture of support groups across the nation. But how does this speak to you as someone considering home education or is new to the practice? The beginning of home schooling can be completely overwhelming. Decisions must be designed or chosen. Intentional social interaction must be arranged. The choices are numerous and can be mind-boggling.

While our children were still at the preschool stage, I joined our local Christian support group. For a modest fee (twelve dollars a year at the time), I received a no-risk education in home schooling. I met and chatted with real experts – other homeschooling moms. I attended presentations and lectures intended to both educate and encourage. Prior to this, I had no idea of the services and resources specifically developed for home schoolers, many of which may be available in your own community. I has access to a library that was well stocked with reading materials. I attended curriculum fairs and spoke with parents who were actually using various programs. I got to view the materials and meet home educated children.