Tj Schmidt, HSLDA attorney, will explain the civil rights lawsuit filed against New York City Public Schools on December 5, 2016. He will also review significant NYS homeschool history.

Is that word "freedom" for just ol' graying hippies and revolutionary wannabes? No. It is a biblical concept and at the core of what it means to be an American and, especially, a homeschooler. Dr. Ray will answer: How'd we get our homeschool freedoms? Why should you care? Are we really free? How might we lose this liberty? What are the enemies? Risks? Is Common Core related? What about compulsory attendance laws? Parental rights? Whether your youngest child is pre-born, 7, or 18, you need to know the core principles of educational freedom and why we must strive to keep or expand that liberty. Dr. Ray has been in the practical and theoretical battle for over 30 years.

Will gives a historical review of the Founders’ intentions when they drafted the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. He then discusses how many of the provisions in the U.S. Constitution directly protect homeschooling families. Will concludes with an informative and practical discussion that includes real-life examples of how parents can protect their Constitutional freedom even when an irate social worker is demanding entrance into their home.

Will goes into detail about the history, content, and effects of the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 2006 United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He discusses how U.S. ratification of these treaties would threaten homeschool freedom, parental rights, and the sovereignty of the United States. Will discusses the shifting political support for these dangerous international treaties, what freedom–loving citizens can do to fight them, and how homeschoolers have defeated these treaties in the past.

Will uses ripped—from—the—headlines stories and personal anecdotes to share what issues homeschoolers face on Capitol Hill, the political environment, what HSLDA is doing at the federal level, and why the Parental Rights Amendment is so important. For longer general sessions, Will goes into detail about the history of the federal government and homeschooling, threats to our freedoms at the federal level, the battles that are being fought, the victories that are being won, and what is on the horizon.

Will takes his audience through the history of the Common Core’s creation, how the federal government and national education bureaucrats pressured states to adopt the Common Core, and how the philosophy behind the Common Core is deeply flawed. He discusses related concerns with the Common Core, such as intrusive national databases and how the Common Core is poised to become a de facto national curriculum. He closes with how homeschoolers and their allies can unite to push back against the Common Core.

Michael Farris discusses the importance of knowing the content and purpose of the founding documents of our country, and how that can impact our interpretation of issues today. Citizens concerned for the future of their country, under a federal government that’s increasingly bloated, corrupt, reckless and invasive, have a constitutional option. We can return the country to its original vision of a limited federal government that is of, by, and for the people. Come hear how you can make a difference.

Dan Beasley is the “new lawyer on the block” at the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, and he’s advocating for homeschoolers in Pennsylvania. Come get to know Dan and catch his vision and passion for homeschool freedom.

This will be a legislative update on issues affecting homeschooling families around the state. We will discuss ways for our Christian community to get organized and mobilized, to ensure that our voices are heard at the State Capitol and in all levels of government. Join us to learn what’s going on and how you can get involved.

Parental rights and religious freedom have been the two foundations to establish a constitutional right for parents to teach their children at home. The U.S. Supreme Court some years back weakened the free exercise of religion claim as a foundation for homeschooling so that in order for homeschoolers to claim a fundamental right to home- school, they must be able to combine the free exercise right with the parental rights claim. In other words, both rights have to co-exist. Currently, this is not a problem,but because of the fragile nature of freedom, moral decay, complacency and apathy, homeschooling freedoms are in jeopardy. An additional threat that is brewing but not well known, is the opposition to homeschooling from the intellectual elites, e.g., law and college professors. This opposition is based on a belief that the state, through public schools, should have access to all children to teach tolerance for others, which leads to collectivism. Homeschoolers are in their cross-hairs. We are clearly at risk.

Exceptional means extraordinary, or more simply “extra – ordinary,” beyond ordinary – not normal. The political and economic structures of America produced results never before seen in history, from Her prosperity to Her power, balanced by Her benevolence. Yet She is slipping away from the principles that produced Her success. In this presentation, Rick Green defines both National and personal exceptionalism and charts a course for nations and individuals to use proven principles to achieve extraordinary results personally, in their family, and in our Nation.

In this presentation, Rick zeroes in on that specific part of the Exceptionalism formula that deals with the role of faith in an exceptional society. Were the Founding Father’s of America men of faith? If so, did that faith influence our founding principles? Should faith be separated from public life and government policy?

Honoring the sacrifice of those who paid the price for our freedom is an essential part of preserving liberty for future generations. How do we best honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives so that we could live in liberty? By LIVING the liberty they secured! In this presentation, Rick will challenge attendees to live their liberty with a renewed sense of purpose and passion, especially through the raising and preparing of the next generation.

Rick will take attendees through the entire Constitution in 50 minutes or less, leaving them with a clear understanding of where their essential freedoms are guaranteed throughout America’s Founding Document. We the People authorized only 17 specific powers for the Federal Government, yet today She engages in thousands of activities never approved by the American people or added to federal constitutional jurisdiction. Rick will quickly cover these specific powers and point out how simple the Constitutional jurisdictions are to understand for every citizen.

America is no longer governed by our Constitution, but rather by the whims of Supreme Court. Is it over for America? What can be done to right the ship and restore our Constitutional Republic? Rick lays out a clear, positive, peaceful path to restoring the republic and preserving liberty for the next generation.

"The only things certain are death and taxes" - Benjamin Franklin. Yet few know America's interesting history of Income Tax, such as: 1787 - U.S. Constitution prohibited a "direct" Federal tax 1862 - "Revenue Tax" on incomes went into effect as an emergency to finance the Union during the Civil War 1873 - Civil War ended, emergency over, Income Tax Repealed 1895 - Supreme Court made Income Tax unconstitutional 1913 - Woodrow Wilson thought tariffs on imports caused wars, so he worked to replace them with an Income Tax. Income Tax was originally only a 1% tax on the top 1% richest people in America. 1943 - Paycheck Withholding began as an emergency effort to get funds to finance WWII. John F. Kennedy - "Lower rates of taxation will stimulate economic activity and so raise the levels of personal and corporate income as to yield within a few years an increased flow of revenues to the Federal Government." (Annual Budget Message, Jan. 17, 1963) Thomas Jefferson - "It is an encouragement to proceed as we have begun in substituting economy for taxation" (2nd Annual Message, 1802)

Join a panel of experts as they answer your questions about the passage of the HB 1013 which became Act 196 of 2014. Representative Mark Gillen and Representative Jesse Topper join HSLDA Attorney Dewitt Black as they talk about passing the new homeschool law. All three of these men are homeschool dads and have a heart for homeschooling.

The Introduction to American Government workshop provides a comprehensive overview of our local, state, and federal systems of government, with an emphasis on how to engage in the civic arena for Christian causes. If you have an interest in history, political science, government, or statesmanship, you will not want to miss this workshop!

The Christian Statesmanship workshop blends Biblical truths, American history, and an overview of civics to form an inspiring, educational, and fun message for Christians who desire to learn more about becoming involved in the civic arena. You will learn about our nation's Christian heritage, our recent loss of religious freedoms, and ways YOU can "stand in the gap" to help restore righteousness to this great country.

Join Attorney Dewitt Black, Pennsylavania's HSLDA attorney, for his brief summary of Pennsylvania's homeschool law with an emphasis on recent changes due to the passage of HB 1013. Dee's summary will be followed by a Q & A session where you can get all your questions answered about the homeschool law.

Join Peter Martin, TeenPact CEO, to learn more about TeenPact, a program that is training youth to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend their faith and engage the culture.

Parental rights and religious freedom are the two pillars of the constitutional right of parents to teach their children at home. But today homeschooling freedoms are in jeopardy. This session shows how growing opposition to homeschooling by the intellectual elites is based on a belief that the state, not the parents, has the exclusive right and responsibility to educate children. Homeschoolers are in their crosshairs and we are clearly at risk.

Are you confused about the accreditation issue? Are you convinced that colleges will only accept your child if you use an accredited program? This workshop clears away the confusion of the accreditation myth and gives clear direction for navigating the path to college and other post-high school options, including Dual Enrollment.

"Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). In this wonderful time of raising godly families, when we see excitement in the eyes of our youngsters and new learning is just around each corner, we sometimes forget who is in control. It’s not the government, contrary to what they tell you. God is not mocked! If we believe the heresy that comes from the White House, or the lies that are spewed from the liberal media, we may try to “give in” just to “get along.” Don’t! Hear Dick speak with the experience of three decades of leadership. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.

Common Core, No Child Left Behind, Goals 2000, and, by the way, have you forgotten about the Seven Cardinal Principles? Presumptuous planners, nationalists, and philosopher-kings have another plan for “all our children.” Dr. Brian Ray addresses the most fundamental reason why every parent should care about Common Core State Standards that has hit hard the educational scene. What should homeschoolers, scripturalists (i.e., Christians) and liberty lovers do about this, if anything? If you do not want your children to be a part of this educational bandwagon and you do not want to waste your time jumping into bandwagon reactionism, come hear Dr. Ray.

Why Common Core is Bad for America (Very Important Message)

In 1925 the U.S. Supreme Court said children are not mere creatures of the state. The 1945 United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that parents have the “prior right” to decide what kind of education their children will have. Is homeschooling a “human right” of the first order? HSLDA Staff Attorney, homeschooling father of seven, and Director of International Affairs Michael Donnelly explores this question and shares a presentation he delivered at the world’s largest human rights conference on the philosophy of law and social philosophy. In this talk, Donnelly examines philosophies on the relationship between the family and the state and looks at how human rights doctrine is applied globally towards homeschooling.

In 1775 Patrick Henry said “give me liberty or give me death.” You know that the founders of our country were mostly Christian men who understood that liberty meant Christian liberty. But how much a part of our founding was the faith of our founders? John Hancock and John Adams’ battle cry was one of “No King but King Jesus.” While secular historians want to minimize the impact of the founders’ faith, the truth is that 93% of the founders were members of Christian churches. A knowledge of our history is critical if we are to ever recover our nation’s heritage. Michael Donnelly is an HSLDA Attorney and an Adjunct Professor at Patrick Henry College where he teaches constitutional law. Listen as he unearths the truth and import of the Faith of Our Founders.

In 1923, the United States Supreme Court ruled that parents have the fundamental right to direct the education and upbringing of their children. So why are parental rights suddenly endangered? Come hear HSLDA attorney and homeschooling father Michael Donnelly discuss the next biggest threat to homeschool freedom and what you can do about it.

Introduction to the Common Core and what it means for homeschoolers. This was presented at the 2013 NYS LEAH Downstate Homeschool Convention.

Hear how the Supreme Court and our nation’s lower courts are failing to hold parental rights to the same legal standard as fundamental rights like speech and press, and how European court decisions on children’s rights are influencing our U.S. judicial system. Michael Farris describes threats to parental rights that involve the political right, political left, and international law, and proposes a solution that will be the battle of the century for homeschoolers and other pro-family forces.

Michael Farris, one of the outstanding constitutional lawyers of our time, discusses the importance of knowing the content and purpose of the founding documents of our country, and how that can impact our interpretation of issues today.

The first two waves of attacks on homeschooling were essentially based on lies. You won’t succeed academically. Your kids won’t be socialized. We proved them wrong twice. The third wave is fundamentally different. It accuses: you will teach your kids that Christianity is the only true religion. This attack is true. Michael Farris examines the newest anti-homeschooling strategy of the legal elites, explains how it will impact us today and tomorrow, and outlines a plan of action.

If this is your first year or your fifteenth year home educating, the future begins today. Mr. Karman is chairman of the Board of OCEANetwork and brings you encouragement from more than 25 years of experience. Hear about the real hope and the assurance that God is in control of your future in home education. We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow. Homeschooll success isn't for yesterday, it's for tomorrow. Homeschool freedom isn't for us, it is for our children's children.

This workshop will discuss current federal legislation that HSLDA is tracking as well as the present administration's policy that could impact home education freedom and broader parental rights. HSLDA staff attorney Tj Schmidt will cover both negative and positive federal bills that could have a national impact on homeschoolers as well as policy initiatives that the Obama administration has specifically championed.

Entropy is true, even with regards to Parental Rights (PR). The "From Order to Disorder" of PR over the last 200 years has suffered from destructive energy and the threatening U.N Treaty "Convention on the Rights of the Child" looms to destroy Parental Rights as God has intended them. We must exercise the stewardship God has granted us and through constructive energy, like support of the Parental Rights Amendment, to rebuild the pillar of Parental Rights in our society. There will be plenty of time for Q & A.

Parental rights and religious freedom have been the two foundations to establish a constitutional right for parents to teach their children at home. The U.S. Supreme Court some years back weakened the free exercise of religion claim as a foundation for homeschooling so that in order for homeschoolers to claim a fundamental right to homeschool, they must be able to combine the free exercise right with the parental rights claim. In other words, both rights have to co-exist. Currently, this is not a problem, but because of the fragile nature of freedom, moral decay, complacency and apathy, homeschooling freedoms are in jeopardy. Additionally, since the parental rights foundational claim is an "implicit" right, not an "explicit" right (meaning parental rights is not specifically spelled out in the Constitution) parental rights as we know it today is teetering and could be in trouble in the future. Mike will explain why parental rights are under attack and provide a solution on how we can maintain the current freedoms we have to teach our children at home.

As the government's evergrowing role expands to encompass family life and decision-making, the information presented in this seminar is critical for every attendee. Michael Smith calls upon over two decades of defending homeschooling families against social services and child protective service contacts to inform the audience of the newest threat to their freedom. This session primarily addresses your state's laws relating to social services contacts and provides general application for other states as well.

A California court with one ruling outlaws homeschooling in California stating that Parental Rights are not found in the U.S. Constitution. The U.N. Treaty on the Rights of the Child threatens the right of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children. What can we do as parents to protect our rights to raise our children?

Dick Karman presents a short update on homeschool freedom, a reminder of God's providence in the past, and a recap of the 2007 legislative session, along with a heart-felt look at home education a decade from now.

Dick Karman presents a short update on homeschool freedom, a reminder of God's providence in the past, and a call to be prepared for the 2007 legislative session, along with a heart-felt look at home education a decade from now.

Dr. Ray's major new study examines the lives of 7,306 adults from across the United States who were homeschooled. This research, a long time in the making, focuses on these adults' general demographics, attitudes toward their own home-school experience, and success in life. Success was evaluated with respect to civic, social, educational, employment, and worldview traits. In many ways, they are very "normal". On the other hand, they are remarkably different than the general U.S. population. Generally speaking, the findings defuse many of the long-held negative criticisms of those who doubted homeschooling's benefits, whether practiced in the U.S. or other nations. And the findings will likely be a great encouragement to those parents and advocates of home-based education over the past two decades.

Maintaining the freedom to home educate in Oregon has required constant vigilance. Hear the stories of the faithfulness of God throughout the years as homeschool parents have fought to protect their right to homeschool their children.

Lures abound to sidetrack homeschooling parents. One is the fast-growing nationwide promise of “free,” state-run, “home” school programs to “help” you educate your children. Dr. Ray will challenge you to consider the paramount importance of who should be in authority over what is taught to the minds and hearts of children. Related to tax-funded programs, there are (1) subtle and negative practical consequences of enrolling your children in them, (2) serious problems from the perspective of a liberty-loving republic such as the United States, and (3) contradictions to a biblical worldview that demands parents and private associations be the main educators of children. Dr. Ray is convinced this is one of the most urgent issues with which homeschoolers should grapple during the next several years.

"I'm from the government schools and I have some 'free' curriculum, computers, and programs for you." Does this make you jump for glee, or does it make your hair on the back of your neck start to twinge? Every Christian needs to consider the principles of scripture and what makes a liberty-loving nation succeed before accepting such "free" services of handouts. The spreading practice of charter schools, virtual schools, and other permutations of state-run schooling-at-home that is marketed to current and perspective homeschoolers is one of the most serious issues facing the parent-lead home-based education movement in America. Dr. Ray will challenge you to go deeper and face the realities of what and why you believe and do what you do as you model courageous living for your children and adult peers.