Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

In Europe and around the world, interest in homeschooling has been exploding. Mike Smith discusses home education around the world on today's Home School Heartbeat.

Mike Smith:
We're happy again to welcome Senior Counsel Chris Klicka of HSLDA to join us this week to talk about homeschooling around the world.


Chris, HSLDA's research now indicates that homeschooling is legal in most western European nations, although some regulate parents more than others. Home education has been illegal in Germany for many years, but it looks like that precedent is changing. Tell us about the recent court case in Germany and how that may mean more freedom for homeschoolers there.


Chris Klicka:
Yes, homeschooling in Germany is very difficult and has been under attack throughout the country. However, various states have adopted different positions that vary from year to year.


And recently we've had a case that was handled by the School Instruction at Home organization, which HSLDA helped get off the ground in Germany, and they defended a homeschool family successfully before a local judge who looked at whether the children were being educated or not. And upon determining that they were, he gave them an exemption to allow them to homeschool. So we're hoping to get similar precedents set in other states in Germany in the near future.


Mike:
Well, that's a great result. And listeners, please join us tomorrow when we talk about homeschooling in Eastern Europe. And until next time, I'm Mike Smith.