Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Home School Legal Defense Association is working on new federal legislation protecting the rights of homeschoolers. Mike Smith talks about how it got started on today's Home School Heartbeat.

Mike Smith:
With us this week is Tom Washburne, the director of HSLDA's National Center for Home Education. Thanks for joining us, Tom.


Tom Washburne:
It's great to be here, Mike.


Mike:
At HSLDA, the National Center handles our work in Washington D.C. And right now we are working on some important legislation: the Homeschool Non-Discrimination Act, also known as HONDA. Tell us about the bill, Tom, and how did HSLDA get involved in this project?


Tom:
Well, Mike, as you know, through the years HSLDA has repeatedly encountered a number of issues in existing federal law that unfairly impact homeschoolers. Last summer, we worked with homeschooling-friendly legislators and consolidated a number of these issues into one piece of legislation. It's known by its acronym, HONDA.


Some of the issues in HONDA are broader than homeschooling. For instance, HONDA clarifies that children should not be evaluated for special needs services over the objection of their parents. This sounds elementary, but HSLDA is in court on this issue in Missouri right now with a homeschooling family. Other issues in the bill are more focused on home education. For example, HONDA makes it clear that colleges awarding federal aid are allowed to admit homeschool graduates without special entrance requirements.


HONDA's a good bill, Mike, and it fixes real problems.


Mike:
Well, thank you very much, Tom. And please join us tomorrow when we'll talk more about HONDA. And until next time, I'm Mike Smith.