NHELD RESPONDS
Here’s the text of an email exchange with NHELD’s Deborah Stevenson. First, mine:
Ms. Stevenson,
I am a homeschooling parent as well as the V.P. of the Delaware Home Education Association (DHEA), our statewide inclusive group. I also run a homeschool website (http://cobranchi.com). I posted your “press release” to my site but had several questions and problems with it. I understand your anti-HSLDA (or at least HR2732) stance. In this regard I am an ally. What I don’t understand is why we need yet another “national” group looking to lobby Congress. One is too many already. Homeschooling is a local issue. We only have “national” problems when some group (HSLDA or NHELD) takes it upon themselves to speak for all homeschoolers. Heck, DHEA can’t even speak for all DE homeschoolers and we live here. I like the idea of a list of lawyers in the states who know homeschooling law and are willing to take on cases when necessary. I think that is what the AHSA-USA listserv is all about (I am a member though not a lawyer). I just don’t see a need for a new group.
Also, your website doesn’t even state what the $100 per year buys. Is this like HSLDA? Sort-of legal insurance? Who needs it? There are very few legal battles involving homeschoolers now. And, the statewide inclusives can easily provide the kind of advice (for free) that HSLDA (and evidently NHELD) charges for.
Sorry. I can’t endorse your group at this time.
Daryl Cobranchi
http://cobranchi.com
And, now, the response:
Daryl…
I appreciate your comments. I also share your concerns. Ideally, I agree with you that there should be no national organizations lobbying Congress precisely because education is a state issue. However, the reality is that we already do have one very well known and powerful lobbying organization there urgining Congress to adopt more federal legislation. Yes, each of us on our own can and should send our individual opinions about proposed legislation to Congress and our state capitols. However, I think to effectively counter the recognition and power of the already existing organization, one or more equally centralized organizations is needed. I did work with AHSA and, in fact, inspired them to create the network that they are now creating. I do not pretend to speak for all homeschoolers. That is precisely why I hope to have the input from as many homeschool support groups and their attorneys from throughout the country so that we can bring as many perspectives to each issue as possible in one very centralized location where it is easily accessible to all.
I welcome any ideas on how to improve the vision I have. Please keep in touch and I hope that someday you will be able to work with us.
Deborah Stevenson.
I still don’t know what $100 per year buys.
3 Responses to “NHELD RESPONDS”
 Comment by Jody December 11th, 2003 at 10:04 am |
I’d like to comment on the following statement in regards to NHELD: “There are very few legal battles involving homeschoolers now.” I would add “EXCEPT when there is a divorce and one parent decides to attack homeschooling in a custody dispute.” I think this is an important “except”, and it needs to be addressed, as the homeschooling parent will more often than not LOSE unless she (and it’s usually the she) has tons of money for the best lawyer(s) in town. How many homeschooling mothers have that kind of financial resource, especially when they’ve probably made financial SACRIFICES in order to homeschool? Mothers are losing custody of their children, or at best, the right to direct their children’s educations, as we speak. THIS is where the real legal challenges to homeschooling lie, and there are precious few who can fight such battles. |
 Comment by Daryl December 11th, 2003 at 10:28 am |
True enough. But, there’s no indication from NHELD that their “insurance” would cover homeschooling-related custody battles. HSLDA specifically excludes it. I imagine NHELD would do the same. |
 Comment by Judy Aron December 14th, 2003 at 12:01 am |
NHELD is not offering “insurance”. |