Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

The Homeschool Non-Discrimination Act is now before Congress. Will it help homeschoolers, or is such legislation more dangerous than valuable? Join Mike Smith as he addresses this on today's Home School Heartbeat.

Mike Smith:
We've been talking this week with Tom Washburne, Director of HSLDA's National Center for Home Education, about the Homeschool Non-Discrimination Act. Tom, some believe that pushing for federal legislation like this is too risky, and likely to bring greater regulation on homeschoolers. Do you think that this bill will bring about new government requirements for homeschoolers?


Tom Washburne:
No, Mike, HONDA will not lead to any new federal control of home education.


It is right to be concerned about the possible federal regulation of homeschooling. We have been fighting this for 20 years at HSLDA.


But this control is not in HONDA. In fact, the bill states that the federal government does not have the power to control home education. It also affirms that parents have the constitutional right to direct the upbringing of their children.


What HONDA does do is tweak decades-old federal law to lessen its impact on home education. Again, this is not about new law, but already existing law.


For example, there is no reason why a college admitting homeschool graduates should put in jeopardy its ability to award federal grants or guaranteed student loans.


HONDA is about clarifying a few laws already on the books as to their impact on home educators. It does not put federal control over home education.