Our mission
To preserve and advance the fundamental, God-given, constitutional right of parents and others legally responsible for their children to direct their education. In so doing, we rely on two fundamental freedomsparental rights and religious freedom. We advocate for these freedoms in the courtrooms, before government officials, and in the public arena. Additionally, we assist other educational organizations in similar activities, where possible and appropriate.
Since 1983, Home School Legal Defense Associations primary goal has remained the sameto bring together a large number of homeschooling families so that each can have a low-cost method of obtaining quality legal defense. HSLDA gives families the freedom to homeschool without facing legal threats alone. Through many families sticking together, we have been able to keep the cost of a years membership close to the rate that you would have to pay for an hour of an attorneys time almost anywhere else.
After a family joins HSLDA, there are no further charges of any kind for defending them in court. HSLDA pays in full all attorney fees, expert witness costs, travel expenses, and all other court costs permissible by state law for us to pay.
The vast majority of contacts member families face are successfully resolved through our early intervention without any court action. Many times, HSLDA attorneys call or write letters on behalf of members contacted by local officials. For those who wind up in court, HSLDA provides full representation at every stage of legal proceedings.
HSLDAs board of directors also operates the Home School Foundationa nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that supports HSLDA, other like-minded organizations, and special programs such as the Special Needs Childrens Fund.