HSLDA	November 13, 2008

Instructions for Participating in the New Homeschool Academic Study

Thank you for considering participating in the new homeschool academic study, which is being conducted by Home School Legal Defense Association and the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI). The information you provide will become part of the largest and most in-depth study of homeschool families and their academic ability ever conducted.

As with past studies, the results will help inform lawmakers, policymakers, and the general public about the benefits of a home-based education, help homeschool organizations better serve homeschooling families, and encourage those who are considering homeschooling.

Below are the instructions for participating in the study.

1. Check to see if you are qualified to participate.
2. Create a Student ID for each child.
3. Complete an online survey.
4. Mail copies of your children’s test results to HSLDA (after removing your child’s name and adding the student ID number).

Your responses will be kept confidential. HSLDA and NHERI are both committed to protecting your privacy and the privacy of your children.

Deadline for participation has been extended until Christmas Day, December 25.

All participants will be entered into a drawing for the following prizes:

First prize—iPod.
Second Prize—$100 Visa gift card or free two-year HSLDA membership.
Third Prize—$50 Visa gift card or free one-year HSLDA membership.

Click here for prize drawing rules >>

1. Qualifications to participate:

Please participate if at least one of your children

a. was homeschooled within the past 12 months, and

b. you tested a homeschooled child with a standardized achievement test between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008 (for example: California Achievement Test, Iowa Test of Basic Skills, or Stanford Achievement Test) that reports national percentile scores (i.e., NPR, Percentile Rank), and

c. you have not already completed a survey for this student through one of the following testing services:

Bob Jones University Press
Family Learning Organization
Piedmont Education Services
Seton Testing Services

Participation is voluntary, of course, but we need all qualified homeschool families to participate—regardless of your children’s academic abilities.

2. Create a unique Student ID for each child participating.

HSLDA Number: 52 (2 digits)
Father's birth day of month (2 digits)
Mother's birth day of month (2 digits)
Child's birth day of month (2 digits)
-01 (include dash/hyphen) for oldest child being tested, -02 second oldest, -03 for third oldest (2 digits)

Following these steps you will create a unique 10-digit student ID number.

For example, Joe Schwartz is from an HSLDA member family (HSLDA number 52), his father was born on the 12th day of the month, his mother was born on the 26th day of the month, Joe was born on the 3rd day of the month, and Joe is the third oldest homeschooled child in his family being tested; his student ID number is 52122603-03.

Important—The student ID number must appear on both the online survey and on the test results mailed to HSLDA. This is how we match up test results with survey responses.

3. Complete online survey for each child

Take a short online survey for each child participating at www.nheri.org/study. If you are not able to access the survey online please call Ian Slatter at 540-338-8663 for a paper copy of the survey. The parent is to answer the survey questions.

4. Send copies of your children’s tests to HSLDA.

1. Mark out your children’s names
2. Place the student ID number in the upper left hand corner of the test
3. Mail it by Christmas Day, December 25 to:

Attention: Research Project
Home School Legal Defense Association
One Patrick Henry Circle
Purcellville, VA 20132

Read our letter introducing this project >>