VaHomeschoolers is an Effective State Homeschool Organization

The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers works to improve state law, in a careful, thought-out manner. The last two improvements to the Home Instruction statute came from VaHomeschoolers' successful bills:

HB 1767 of 2005 requires that school districts inform homeschoolers of the availability of PSAT and AP testing and relevant financial aid programs. The bill received unanimous approval from both sides of the legislature and then-Governor Mark Warner signed the bill into law on April 6, 2005.

Our 1998 bill:

  1. Freed homeschooling from being legally bound to the actual home.
  2. Allows home instruction to start after the school year has begun and the child already enrolled in a school;
  3. Eliminated all required testing/evaluation for homeschooled children of kindergarten age (meaning those who have not reached age 6 as of September 30 of the school year).

VaHomeschoolers' changes in the law did not alarm legislators, yet greatly improved the homeschooling climate in Virginia.

The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers' most effective action is screening legislation for potential impact on homeschoolers. We pay attention to a large list of topics: home instruction statute, tutor provision, religious exemption provision, driver training, truancy, curfews, tax credits, and more.

Our Government Affairs committee scrutinizes bills relating to issues on which members have not given clear direction. We closely follow this legislation, and frequently seek amendments as needed for clarification or protection, while not necessarily taking a position on the legislation.

In addition, VaHomeschoolers' Governmental Affairs Committee initiates legislative change through carefully considered strategies, and takes direction from VaHomeschoolers members, through our annual Member Survey.

VaHomeschoolers is neutral on matters of religion, partisan politics, and non-homeschooling issues. VaHomeschoolers is here to serve you. We welcome your suggestions, questions, or comments; please E-mail VaHomeschoolers. Click here to join with us in protecting and promoting homeschooling in Virginia.

How Valuable is This Organization to You?

VaHomeschoolers works hard to protect your homeschool freedom and empowers you by giving you the information that helps you homeschool with confidence. This is all a free service to you. But providing these services does cost money without which we could not maintain this site, cover our lobbyists' expenses while they work for you at the Virginia General Assembly, or produce and mail the VaHomeschoolers newsletter. Show how much you value the indispensable services VaHomeschoolers provides you--by joining or donating to VaHomeschoolers! If you are already a member, check out our give-back programs where purchases you normally make can earn money for VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you. When you join or donate to VaHomeschoolers, you are supporting the Old Dominion's only fully inclusive, member directed, and volunteer driven state homeschool association.

The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers is a non-profit public charity with 501(c)(3) status; your donation is tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.