Issue Description
Charter schools are a new phenomenon rapidly gaining popularity across the country. HSLDA views charter schools as another vehicle for government funded public education. Backing up HSLDA's view are many news articles, education reports, and both state and federal proposed legislation. It is HSLDA's view that the government's involvement in charter schools will eventually lead to restriction on parents who homeschool through a charter school.

Issue Background

Most charter schools are created or "chartered" by public school boards, which establish the mission, educational program, and methods of assessment. Most charter schools are classroom-based, some charter schools are home-based. When parents enroll their child in a full-time, classroom-based charter school, it is obvious that they are signing away much of their parental right to direct their child's education. Home-based charter schools gloss over this surrender by giving parents a wide variety of "free" benefits, all for use at home: computer and Internet access, books, school supplies, support from certified teachers, a diploma, etc. HSLDA does not represent students enrolled in charter schools.