In her 12 years of leading families through a homeschool group , Tina Nelson had never faced a dilemma like this.

The parents of a student who’d been expelled from his former school for substance abuse had switched to homeschooling and were asking about joining the organization where she serves as president—SouthEastern Indiana Christian Home Educators.

Her first impulse was to offer as much help and acceptance as possible.

“We want to extend love and mercy,” she explained.

But then she reflected on how trying to address one student’s particular needs might affect the way her group serves the other 140 children who participate regularly. And, as usual, she discussed the issue with the board of directors.

As it turned out, the troubled student found a different option that provided a better fit. But the question of how to define her group’s purpose without unfairly excluding anyone made her glad she has a resource for navigating these difficulties—HSLDA’s Group Services Department.

Questions and Answers

Darren Jones, senior counsel and director of group services for HSLDA, has been advising homeschool groups for over 15 years. He speaks with homeschool leaders about a wide range of issues that touch on the law—from complying with zoning regulations to ensuring that child safety policies are sufficiently robust.

“Some of my best memories from my homeschool years are from the co-op I went to,” Jones said. “I love helping homeschool groups get stronger, so that they can continue providing classes and services to homeschool students without having to worry about side issues.”

Jones most recently advised Tina on how her group could regulate comments on its website. The co-op uses its online forum primarily to discuss events such as its annual field day and used curriculum sale, as well as other homeschool-related issues. In response to a suggestion, the group’s leadership considered opening the section to political comments.

In the interest of unity, Tina said her group eventually decided not to permit political discussions online. Jones helped them craft a policy that explained their position in a way that was clear and fair to all.

“HSLDA has been a big help,” Tina said. When she needs answers to thorny legal issues, “It’s so good to be able to call and get a quick response,” she added.

Building Communities

Jones said his efforts on behalf of Tina’s group are typical of much of his work, which often entails helping leaders fine-tune their organization’s mission and then articulate how to achieve those aims.

“My catchphrase in talking to groups is always: ‘Figure out what kind of group you want to be, and then be that group,’” he said.

For example, Jones recently assisted LeDonna White Griffin as she crafted nondiscrimination language for Leaders to Legends Academy, where she serves as CEO. The group she founded about six years ago provides holistic support to homeschool families in Omaha, Nebraska.

LeDonna holds a PhD and worked for several years in the public schools. Dissatisfied with what she saw as an overly regimented system that too often resorted to heavy-handed discipline, LeDonna launched a group that seeks to uplift homeschool families through community engagement. “Empowering parents, that’s the biggest thing,” she said.

When parents tell her they can’t teach their children because they don’t have a college degree, she responds: “Do you love your child? Do you have goals for your child? Then you have everything you need.”

In addition to providing inspiration, LeDonna’s group also delivers practical assistance. Her academy stocks a community pantry, and participating families often gather at each other’s homes to share meals.

And their parent-run co-op, which meets three days a week, offers much more than academics. Other activities include sewing classes, gymnastics, and self-defense training, which are all designed to engender confidence in students as they learn from positive role models.

“We’re building fertile soil that any child can grow in,” LeDonna said.

She added that as her group seeks to transition to a nonprofit, it helps to know she has someone to turn to for insight.

“HSLDA has been an amazing resource in navigating this world of entrepreneurial education,” LeDonna affirmed.

Firm in the Faith

In addition to assisting burgeoning groups such as LeDonna’s, Jones also advises well-established homeschool organizations as they grapple with change.

He recently worked with Christian Home Educators of California (CHEA) as it began the ongoing process to update its statement of faith.

CHEA has been equipping homeschoolers and advocating on their behalf for 40 years. The group was instrumental in helping defeat legislation introduced in 2018 that would have enacted severe restrictions on home education.

“California remains a fairly free state when it comes to homeschooling,” CHEA Vice President John McGowan explained. “We want to keep it that way.” He said as the movement continues to expand, newer families may not recall the early battles that helped establish homeschooling as an expression of the right to religious liberty.

CHEA champions the right of all families to homeschool, but a core aspect of its mission is to advocate for parents who value home education as a means for imparting their Christian faith to the next generation.

“The challenge right now is responding to the growth,” John said. “We want to maintain our Christian distinctives, and we’re not looking to soften our position on biblical truth.”

And yet, he added, “there is a concern about changes in the culture.” As a result of these changes, some declarations regarding principles and beliefs “that would have been understood years ago might not be understood the same way.”

By periodically reviewing and revising the group’s statement of faith, John added, CHEA helps reassure constituents it remains committed to its founding mission. In this task, as well as its overall advocacy, John said it’s a “big deal” to be able to partner with HSLDA.  

Jones agreed: “Homeschool groups, like co-ops and state organizations, are on the front lines of helping homeschool parents and children. I’m privileged to partner with them in making homeschooling possible for years to come.”