The Christian Homeschooling movement began in the seventies, but really took root in the eighties when Dr. James Dobson began to champion the idea on his radio program. In 1983 two attorneys, Mike Farris & Mike Smith formed the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) to fight for parental rights to homeschool. In 1986 a group of Christian homeschooling parents in Lancaster county began the first annual CHAP convention.

In the eighties the legal situation in Pennsylvania was unclear. In 1988 the HSLDA succeeded in having the Pennsylvania Homeschool law ruled unconstitutional. After this the Pennsylvania legislature passed a law in 1988 making homeschooling an approved educational option for all parents. Click the getting started tab or the Law and foms tab for more information.

CHAP

CHAP is an acronym for Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania, a nonprofit corporation founded to encourage and support families interested in home education. CHAP assists parents in understanding and fulfilling the law's requirements and is affiliated with two national organizations: Home School Legal Defense Association and The National Center for Home Education. CHAP provides leadership and direction on issues facing Christian homeschoolers on a national and state wide basis. News and up dates are included in the CHAP Magazine.

CHAP Magazine

The CHAP Magazine is mailed to over 4,000 families across the state, and is a source of motivation and encouragement to homeschooling families. If you become a member of CHAP, you will receive the CHAP Magazine. The magazine contains information on events and issues pertinent to homeschoolers, articles of encouragement, and academic items for sale, etc. If you are not a member of CHAP, you can subscribe to the quarterly magazine. The subscription rate is $10 per year.

Mail a check payable to CHAP to:

CHAP
231 N. Chestnut St.
Palmyra, PA 17078

Held annually on Mother's Day weekend at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, the CHAP Homeschool Convention serves to promote excellence in homeschooling. Featured are: nationally known speakers, exhibitors displaying their educational products and services, and numerous workshops on a variety of homeschool topics. With attendance of over 8,000, it is easy to see that home education is a growing conviction with many. When registration material is available it will be posted on the web under the Convention tab. Please check back frequently.

HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOCIATION

HSLDA monitors homeschool legislative issues at the national level and provides legal coverage for participating families in the United States and Canada. The annual membership fee of $115. provides experienced legal counsel and representation by qualified attorneys to any member family who is challenged in the area of homeschooling. All attorneys' fees and costs are paid in full directly by the Association. To apply, call HSLDA for an application form at 540-338-5600 or go to www.hslda.org. If you are a member of CHAP (membership fee $25/year), your fee for a new registration or renewal is discounted to $95. Simply fill in the CHAP code number 295113 on the HSLDA application and mail the form and payment to HSLDA.

IN CONCLUSION:

A Word of Encouragement

Homeschooling is a rapidly growing movement in Pennsylvania and across the nation. This, in turn, has led to the development of many support groups within the state which provide encouragement to your family as you homeschool.

We encourage you to reach out and get involved with other homeschoolers in your area. Don't hesitate to call your local support group or CHAP and ask for help. To locate a support group in your area write to CHAP with the name of the county in which you live and we will attempt to locate a support group near you.