Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

The modern homeschooling movement was born in the United States, but it has not remained there. Today on Home School Heartbeat, Mike Smith talks about how Americans have helped spread homeschooling around the world.

Mike Smith:
Joining me this week to talk about homeschooling in other countries is Chris Klicka, HSLDA's Director of International Relations. Thank you for joining us, Chris.


Chris Klicka:
Thanks for having me!


Mike:
Chris, a few years ago, homeschoolers in Ireland defeated legislation that would have made it extremely difficult for parents to educate their children at home. How was this bill defeated, and what did homeschoolers in the United States do to help?


Chris:
The Irish homeschool leaders contacted the HSLDA office asking for help. We immediately jumped in and contacted the homeschoolers around the United States to urge them to communicate to the Irish embassy, in order to oppose a bill that the homeschoolers were faced with in the country of Ireland. This bill would require them to submit to unannounced home visits where their children would have to be mentally assessed, emotionally assessed, and physically assessed on the spot. This draconian measure was soundly defeated, however, when we were able to get these calls into the Irish embassy from moms and dads around the United States who were concerned. And they communicated to the parliament and the parliament, after talking with us, ended up defeating the legislation. So the Irish families now can continue to homeschool without fear.


Mike:
Well, thank you, Chris. Please join us again tomorrow when we talk more about homeschooling around the world.