The National Center for Home Education (NCHE) is the federal relations arm of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), focusing on federal legislation, policy advocacy, and research affecting homeschooling families nationwide.
What is the National Center for Home Education?
The National Center for Home Education (NCHE) operates as the federal relations department within HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association). While state homeschool organizations handle local laws, NCHE focuses on federal-level policy work including monitoring congressional legislation, grassroots lobbying on education bills, and research supporting homeschool rights. NCHE serves as the connection point between the homeschool community and federal policymakers.
Key Takeaways
- NCHE is part of HSLDA, not a separate standalone organization
- Focuses specifically on federal-level homeschool policy and legislation
- Provides research on college admissions policies for homeschoolers
- Coordinates grassroots advocacy campaigns on federal education bills
- Contact available at NationalCenter@hslda.org
Distinction from State Organizations
Many states have organizations using the NCHE abbreviation, most notably North Carolinians for Home Education. These are entirely separate entities from the National Center for Home Education within HSLDA. The national NCHE handles federal policy while state organizations with similar names address their respective state laws. When researching homeschool support, verify whether you're looking at the national federal advocacy group or a state-level organization.
Federal Policy Work
NCHE monitors legislation that could affect homeschooling families and mobilizes grassroots responses when needed. This includes education funding bills, military family provisions, and any federal regulation that might impose requirements on home education. Notable past work includes involvement with the Military Homeschool Children Equal Access Act of 2001. The organization tracks how federal policy intersects with state homeschool laws and parental rights.
College Admissions Research
NCHE maintains research on how colleges and universities treat homeschool applicants, including admission requirements, acceptance rates, and policy changes. This information helps families prepare for the college application process with realistic expectations about what different institutions require. The research is periodically updated as schools revise their homeschool admission policies.
The Bottom Line
The National Center for Home Education provides the federal-level advocacy that complements state homeschool organizations' local work. Most families interact with NCHE indirectly through HSLDA membership or by responding to action alerts on federal legislation. If federal education policy concerns you, NCHE represents homeschool interests in Washington. The organization's research on college admissions also serves families navigating higher education planning.
