The National Center for Home Education (NCHE) is part of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). It focuses on federal policies affecting homeschooling and connects families with lawmakers.
Studies show that homeschooled students are accepted to college at rates comparable to or higher than their traditionally schooled peers, and they tend to earn higher GPAs in their first year of college (Journal of College Admission, 2010). According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is the national center for home education?
The National Center for Home Education, or NCHE, is part of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). While state homeschool groups take care of local laws, NCHE works on federal policies. They keep an eye on Congress, lobby for education bills, and back research that supports homeschool rights. NCHE links the homeschool community to federal lawmakers.
Difference from state organizations
Many states have groups called NCHE, like North Carolinians for Home Education. But these are different from the NCHE in HSLDA. The national NCHE focuses on federal policies, while state groups deal with local laws. So, when looking for homeschool support, make sure you know if you're checking out federal advocacy or a state organization.
Federal policy work
NCHE tracks laws that might impact homeschooling families. They respond when necessary, especially with bills about education funding and military families. They've worked on important issues like the Military Homeschool Children Equal Access Act of 2001. They also look at how federal laws connect with state homeschool rules and parental rights.
College admissions research
NCHE gathers info on how colleges view homeschool applicants. This includes admission requirements, acceptance rates, and any changes in policies. Their research helps families set realistic expectations for college applications. They update this info regularly as schools change their policies.
The bottom line
The National Center for Home Education works at the federal level to support what state homeschool organizations do locally. Most families connect with NCHE through HSLDA or by acting on alerts about federal legislation. If federal education policy matters to you, NCHE is your voice in Washington. Their college admissions research also aids families planning for higher education.
