As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, HSLDA does not directly or indirectly participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.

Our sister organization, HSLDA Action, is a 501(c)(4) organization and is permitted to endorse political candidates and engage in lobbying that is germane to its purposes. HSLDA Action’s Political Action Committee endorses candidates who support homeschool freedom and lobbies on behalf of homeschool freedom.

HSLDA is an advocacy organization committed to making homeschooling possible. We defend homeschool freedom, provide legal protection to homeschool families, offer grants to homeschool families who are facing hard times, and provide educational resources and support for homeschoolers. Learn more about what we do here.

The answer depends on the laws of that country, since a country’s education laws apply to all children who reside there, whether or not they are citizens. Start by contacting the HSLDA Global Outreach team by emailing us at international@hslda.org or calling us at 540-338-5600. We have information on homeschooling laws in many countries where such laws exist and insight into the general educational climate in many other countries. Even if homeschooling is not explicitly recognized by law, it may still be possible to homeschool. We may also be able to connect you with a homeschooling family or support organization in the country.

Always contact HSLDA before speaking with any foreign country’s officials regarding home education.

Military families stationed in a foreign country with which the United States has entered into a treaty (for example, NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) may have different legal protections than are available to civilians or contractors. Again, contact HSLDA for advice in this or any other situation involving homeschooling overseas.

HSLDA was founded in 1983 by Mike Farris at a time when homeschooling was almost nonexistent and even illegal in many states.

As a homeschool dad and attorney, Farris realized that there was a need to defend homeschool families’ right to direct their child’s education. He rallied the support of Mike Smith—who was also an attorney and homeschooling father—around the idea of starting a nonprofit membership organization aimed at making homeschooling legal in every state. Smith joined as a member of the founding board of directors of Home School Legal Defense Association. Together with the growing HSLDA staff, they worked to fight for homeschool freedom and meet the needs of their member families.

Today, homeschooling is legal in every state—but that doesn’t mean our work is done. We continue to protect and advance the freedom to homeschool, defend member families facing legal challenges, and equip homeschooling parents to give their children the best possible educational experience.

Learn more about the history of the homeschool movement and HSLDA here.