E•vent Library

Homeschooling is one of the fastest-growing forms of education, and the research is also finding that the fastest-growing demographic within homeschooling is minority groups. Join HSLDA Staff Attorney Mike Donnelly as he interviews two leaders in the homeschool community: Joyce Burges, cofounder of National Black Home Educators (NBHE), and Monica Olivera Hazelton, author of the popular blog for Hispanic homeschoolers, Mommy Maestra. Mike, Joyce, and Monica will talk about why minority groups are choosing homeschooling over public education and will offer encouragement and advice to homeschoolers everywhere, as well as provide information for families considering homeschooling.

Join HSLDA attorneys Peter Kamakawiwoole and Tj Schmidt as they share their stories-from being taught at home to defending parents teaching their children at home. They will also discuss their different paths through law school and how they were drawn to HSLDA to help advocate on behalf of thousands of homeschooling families. Tj and Peter will also share how their personal experience of being homeschooled helps them as they represent homeschooling parents. Get an inside look at the passion HSLDA's attorneys bring to protecting homeschool freedom, and see how your homeschool experience can equip you to help others!

Due to pervading health reasons, this e-vent has been rescheduled from it's original time on Friday, January 25, to Thursday, February 28 at 3:30 p.m. (ET).

"Don't judge me!" What do you say when your teen (or sister or friend) blurts that out-after you've pointed out a genuine concern you have about them? "Who are you to judge your neighbor?" James asked. And Jesus said, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged." But Paul asked rhetorically, "Do you not judge those who are within the church?" And Jesus said, "If your brother sins, rebuke him." We know that God never contradicts himself. But with some Scripture verses saying "Don't judge" and others saying "Do judge," how do you reconcile them in one compelling, comprehensive, Christ-centered theology? HSLDA Senior Counsel Scott Woodruff--who has been standing in front of "real" judges for 32 years--will clear up the confusion, explain how all the seemingly contradictory passages fit into an amazing and powerful whole, and give you the scriptural answer of what to say, do, and think when someone drops the "Don't judge me!" line on you.

We learn from history the foundational events of humankind?events that inspire and teach us from the example of others. By studying church history, not only do we learn the crucial events of Christianity, but we also learn from our forebears how to grow our faith. In this e-vent, HSLDA Staff Attorney Darren Jones shows you how to pick out the events in church history that will be most accessible to your child.

How can your family implement or renew reading time in your home? Join HSLDA Staff Attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt for his personal look at the blessings and benefits of reading to your children. Tj will share several books that he and his wife read to his children, as well as some of the opportunities that reading together has provided for his family to learn and grow. Join the conversation as Tj opens up for feedback and questions at the end of this e-vent.

HSLDA Senior Counsel Scott Woodruff will introduce you to one of literature's masterpieces: Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment. This fascinating novel deals with cold-blooded murder, guilt, prostitution, betrayal, suicide, love, faith, and the Christian hope of redemption. And since it's a Russian novel, we can't leave out exile in Siberia!

Dostoyevsky had a deep and complex faith. A masterful author, his characters are broken, flawed, desperate, and yearning for redemption in a dark world-just like us! Scott Woodruff assumes you know nothing about the book-yet. But maybe you'll want to add this classic to your mature teen's book list after the e-vent.

While homeschooling continues to grow and gain support even at the federal level, opposition has not waned. It can take the form of a bureaucratic attempt to increase oversight, an anonymous tip from a doctor or neighbor, or a blatant legislative attack. No matter what the threat, HSLDA is there to defend homeschoolers in these battles. Now, you can get behind the scenes and hear how past and current cases have strengthened your freedom to homeschool. You will learn how these cases affect your 4th Amendment rights in regards to homeschooling, withdrawing from public schools, and more. See how the trials of homeschooling families like yours have set precedents that affect thousands of homeschoolers today!

Get to know The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis's masterpiece of children's literature, with HSLDA Senior Counsel Scott Woodruff. He has read the Chronicles over and over, and is ready to shed light on their beauty and majesty, as well as some flaws.

If you have never read the series, this presentation will let you know what to expect, and will encourage you to get ready for some quality reading time with your kids! The Chronicles present a powerful and attractive presentation of the gospel in a format superbly suited for children. The books' strongly allegorical elements point to the cross, the incarnation, salvation, hearing from God, growing in truth, the problem of evil, and more.

Awesome literature, awesome message, awesome time with your kids--find it all in The Chronicles of Narnia!

Due to technical difficulties, the beginning of this recording, which included The Magician's Nephew and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, has been lost. However, due to popular demand, Scott and Dave will be conducting e-vents that address each book individually. Make sure to check our website and our @home e-lerts for information on these upcoming e-vents!

Kevin Lundberg is an experienced homeschooling parent who started the Christian Home Educators of Colorado, was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives and State Senate, and is now seeking a seat in Colorado's second congressional district.

In a tightly contested race with far-left multimillionaire incumbent Jared Polis, Kevin needs the homeschool community's support now more than ever. In this e-vent, HSLDA Staff Attorney Mike Donnelly will interview Senator Lundberg on his policies and values and what you can do to help his campaign.

The choice cannot be clearer, nor the opportunity greater to make a significant change in the representation of a congressional seat.

HSLDA's attorney for Oklahoma, Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt, offers helpful information, advice, and guidelines to parents seeking to homeschool their children in the Sooner State. In this straight-shooting webinar, Tj will address what you need to know about the unique protection Oklahoma provides under the state constitution to parents "providing other means of education" to their children. In this @home e-vent you'll learn all you need to be informed and equipped for your home education program in Oklahoma.

Exciting legislative changes are going into effect just in time for the new school year! After the passage of House Bills 545 and 1571, home educators in New Hampshire have gained more freedom for their homeschools. HSLDA Staff Attorney Mike Donnelly will walk you through each bill and what it means for you. Mike will also give advice on how you can respond to officials who are unfamiliar with the new law, and how HSLDA will help if you continue to meet with confusion.

HSLDA's contact attorney for Washington State, Thomas J.(Tj) Schmidt, offers helpful information, advice, and guidelines to parents seeking to homeschool their children in the Evergreen State. Tj will address what is required in the Declaration of Intent and where to submit the form. In this webinar, you will also learn what a parent must do for the annual assessment as well as all other legal requirements parents must fulfill when teaching their children at home. Finally, Tj will also discuss part-time participation in the public school and how you can know that you are still in control of your child's education if you choose to participate in these programs. In this webinar, you'll learn all you need to be informed and equipped for your Washington State-style home-based education program.

For years, the vagueness of the notice of intent provision's "curriculum description" requirement gave Virginia school districts virtually a blank check to demand more and more information from homeschool families. Some families who resisted unreasonable demands were threatened with truancy charges. But, working with other state homeschool organizations, HSLDA helped change the law. Starting July 1, 2012, a simple list of subjects to be studied will satisfy the curriculum description requirement. Join HSLDA Senior Counsel Scott Woodruff as he comprehensively explains this change, the challenges we expect from school districts, and strategies for families to use in complying with the new law. New laws always raise new questions, and Scott will individually respond to every question submitted during the program.

As a home educator, you often face challenges on the road to great rewards. But many homeschoolers experience harder trials when they're faced with disabilities, illness, or job loss. HSLDA Staff Attorney Darren Jones presents an informative and engaging e-vent that will show how homeschoolers can remain eligible for disabled veteran benefits and how services such as social security, welfare, and food stamps can make homeschooling a reality for some families. Most importantly, Darren will show how HSLDA seeks to protect these rights for homeschoolers.

In this informative webinar, HSLDA attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt will explain the requirements for homeschooling in accordance with Oregon state law and provide key details for the notice of intent to the local education service district (ESD) and suggested record-keeping. Tj will discuss the various legal options for evaluating your child's progress and provide you with the information you need to know when these evaluations are required. In this webinar Tj will also discuss hot topics in the state, such as virtual public school programs and access to public school activities and services, along with the impact of involvement on parents' control of their child's education. Be sure to bring your specific questions have regarding homeschooling in Oregon for Tj to address.

Due to technical difficulties, this e-vent has been rescheduled from the previous week. If you have already registered, you are automatically registered and do not need to sign up again.

Grades, grade levels, graduation--they all play a part in your child's education. But do we have to think of these concepts in traditional terms, or can we as homeschoolers view them more flexibly? Can grades be a constructive part of your school's evaluation system? HSLDA Staff Attorney Mike Donnelly explores out-of-the-box methods home educating parents can use to approach academic, spiritual, and emotional progress for your classroom of one . . . or twelve!

The snow has melted, the trees are blooming, the grass is green--turn the TV off and take your family outside! HSLDA Senior Counsel Scott Woodruff, a self-proclaimed "moderate" expert on outdoor outings, has a bagful of ideas for your family. Rafting through the throbbing waves of class IV whitewater rapids? Canoeing across a mirror-smooth lake while loons call overhead? Scrambling on hands and knees through narrow passages in deep caverns? Setting up tents under the Ponderosa pines and mile-high views of the majestic Rocky Mountains? Learn to love your family in an entirely different world. See more things that make you stand in awe of God.

Scott will share about his disasters and conquests, duds and moonshots. His tips will cover safety, equipment, locations, food, and encounters with God.

This e-vent is for families who have seldom or never tried outdoor adventures, or those who have gone out a few times and want some more ideas or advice. Listen to this e-vent and get inspired to make your own lifetime memories!

Texans are known for their pride in their state and its history, and Texas homeschoolers are no different when it comes to their homeschool freedoms. In this all-inclusive e-vent, you will hear about the fights and victories of Texas homeschoolers in the past, recent legislative issues, and ongoing legislative concerns. You'll also learn the ins and outs of daytime curfews, withdrawing your child from high school, dual enrollment, and college admission for homeschool graduates. Register for this free, member-only e-vent today!

Was the earth created in seven days or over a period of thousands of years? What can we learn from Genesis that will keep our families strong? Does scientific evidence disprove evolution?

This exciting @home e-vent package includes the answers to all of these questions, plus much more! You and your family will not want to miss the chance to watch these relevant presentations to learn how events from thousands of years ago provide life-changing truths and experiences today. Answers in Genesis's Tommy Mitchell, Bodie Hodge, Don DeYoung, and Carl Werner use Scripture, pictures, real-life examples, and eye-opening videos that will provide hours of fun and education.

This package is completely free of charge and brought to you by the New Leaf Publishing Group.

The Department of Labor's quick pullback of ridiculous and invasive regulations of family farms shows the extent to which the federal government is seeking to control families. Although homeschoolers have been successful in staving off federal involvement for years, there is no doubt that, given a chance, regulators would seek to invade even this area of family life. What's the connection between family farms and homeschooling? In Ohio, an influential newspaper called for more restrictions on homeschooling families, using comments by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to advance the narrative that homeschoolers are "off the grid." Find out what it means for you in this @home e-vent as HSLDA Staff Attorney Mike Donnelly and a special guest discuss the issues at stake!