How we accomplish it
First, we actively monitor legal and
policy developments internationally.
Homeschooling is the subject of much activity
and interest across the world. We maintain
awareness of legal and policy developments
through our relationships with homeschool
advocates, leaders, and families. Whether
these changes are within a specific country
or a regional trend, we stay abreast of them,
positive or negative, and become involved as
is necessary.
In recent years, HSLDA International has
directly supported court cases in Holland,
Kenya, France, and Brazil. We drafted a letter
to the South African president in opposition
to the Basic Education Laws Amendment
bill that threatened homeschool freedom.
We worked with leaders in Romania who
are facing challenges to their freedoms,
and we collaborated with allies across Latin
America to provide defense of families
facing government opposition to their
homeschooling. In Croatia, a local leader
and I met with staff from the Ministry of
Education regarding the future of home
education in the country.
We do this work to remain connected with
and aware of the state of home education
abroad. The laws are varied, the languages
unique, and the cultural landscape often
shifting, but we see this as even more reason
to stay actively engaged.
Second, we track global news media and
coverage of homeschooling. The incredible
growth of home education around the world
has led to increased scrutiny from members
of the media and policymakers, as it has
here in the US. To be effective advocates, we
remain knowledgeable regarding current
affairs, which allows us to better know when,
where, how, and with whom to engage.
Third, we advise homeschool families and
connect them with trusted local groups and
legal professionals, ensuring they never
have to stand alone. Families living outside
the US, including American citizens abroad
and citizens of other nations, can become
HSLDA members and receive guidance when
they encounter legal difficulties related to
homeschooling.
Our international team provides sound
advice, helping families understand the
specific laws of their host countries,
strategizing on how to respond to inquiries
from authorities, and in some cases, directly
engaging with legal proceedings. Most
significant, however, is the global network
we maintain to connect these families with
trusted leaders and advocates within their
home country. Partnerships remain a bedrock
of our work.
HSLDA has organized and supported the
Global Home Education Conference for five
years, with gatherings in Brazil, Germany,
Russia, and England. These events bring
together homeschooling leaders, families,
academics, and policymakers from diverse
nations to foster dialogue, share best practices,
and build a sense of global community.
We have also planned and supported a
handful of smaller, regional gatherings
in France, South Africa, Croatia, Kenya,
and online.
Kevin
speaks at the
2023 African
Pamajoa
conference in
Nairobi, Kenya.
These gatherings, whether regional
or global in nature, are instrumental in
connecting the global community, raising
awareness of current trends, dispelling
misconceptions, and providing much-needed
encouragement and a sense of community to
leaders and families.
Fourth, we support research that informs
the growing homeschool movements
around the world. While the homeschool
research from the US is abundant, the
research within other countries is much
more sparse. This lack of knowledge drives
policymakers to make decisions driven by
ideology rather than factual information.
HSLDA regularly participates in the
International School Choice and Reform
Conference, presenting scholarly articles
and participating in panel discussions,
while moderating others. We have played a
significant role in the increase in dialogue
surrounding home education at this event
and others like it. We believe that the
rigorous study of home education is positive
and will lead to an increase in acceptance
and promotion of the practice throughout
the world.
We also maintain a comprehensive
database of homeschooling laws and
regulations in many countries that
provide valuable information to families
considering homeschooling. (Visit
hslda.org/international to learn more.) We
do this to help families make informed
decisions and understand the potential
challenges and opportunities they may face
while homeschooling.
Finally, we engage with global
institutions to promote a positive vision
for homeschooling. Institutions such as
the UN, the European Court of Human Rights,
UNESCO, and Education International all have a
perspective and influence on the state of global
home education.
Home
education advocates
from over 30 countries
gathered at the
2024 Global Home
Education Conference
in Manchester,
England, to celebrate,
advocate, and
defend global home
education.
The dominant and prevailing view of these
organizations is predisposed towards state-approved and government-controlled public
education, so non-public education—especially
homeschooling—often faces an uphill battle
for recognition, legitimacy and protection.
HSLDA works with like-minded organizations like the European-based OIDEL in
defense of educational pluralism. We have
submitted many contributions to the UN
on education-related matters to raise the
profile of homeschooling in the international
context. We have also supported court cases
at the European Court of Human Rights
with the goal of achieving recognized legal
protection for homeschooling families in
specific countries.
Where we see the future of the global movement
The reality is that homeschooling faces
challenges in many countries around the
world, even as it gains momentum (and
increased attention) worldwide. Families,
leaders, advocates, and like-minded
organizations need support, encouragement,
and resources more than ever.
But even as we recognize that the challenges
for the global movement are significant, we
see incredible opportunity for freedom to
advance. We have great hope in what the global
homeschool community will accomplish.
The strength and passion of homeschooling
families has led to massive positive changes in
homeschool laws. As a result, homeschooling
is legal and possible in the US. Now, we’re
working to make it legal and possible for every
child in every country around the world.
