Mike:
After working in the homeschool movement for over 20 years, I've found that the state homeschool associations are crucial for maintaining the freedom to homeschool in each state.
State organizations and local support groups usually work hand-in-hand. They help each other network and they support each other's activities. Support groups provide a fertile soil for lending a helping hand to new homeschoolers, for providing love and support to veteran homeschoolers, and for providing social events and field trip opportunities for homeschool students.
Pam Stauter of New York's state group LEAH—which stands for Loving Education at Home—explains that they have tried to center a lot of their work on individual chapter leaders. The LEAH board holds meetings for chapter leaders each spring and fall and provides mentoring for new leaders.
The services we highlighted this week are just a few of the benefits state organizations provide for the homeschooling movement. They have also played an essential role in the amazing political, legal, and public relations success of the modern homeschool movement. If you are not familiar with the homeschooling organization in your state, we would be happy to put you in touch with them. Our contact information is given at the end of the program. And until next time, I'm Mike Smith.
