Freedom to Homeschool: Don’t Take it for Granted with Attorney James Mason

A handful of states still retain antiquated laws from the 1980s and 90s, but most states have removed unnecessary legal barriers with the recognition that homeschooling works. But pendulums swing, and in America today, the pendulum frequently swings in the wrong direction. Opponents of homeschool freedom are working in new and more coordinated ways to make homeschooling harder and less accessible to parents. 

Legislative action to roll back homeschool freedom is being considered in three states in part because of negative portrayals of homeschooling in the press. My guest today is Attorney James (Jim) Mason. He is the president of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association. We’re going to cover the history of homeschooling and the role that the Homeschool Legal Defense Association has been playing for over 40 years in securing and maintaining homeschool freedom. And as always, what you can do to help secure your freedom to homeschool in America in the coming years.

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Meet The Guest: Jim Mason

Website

Since joining HSLDA to lead the litigation team in 2001, Jim Mason has represented
homeschooling families in a wide range of challenging situations and has set precedents that
have expanded freedom for the homeschool community. Jim has served as HSLDA’s Vice
President of Litigation and Development, in addition to Vice President of HSLDA Action. Jim
succeeded Mike Smith as President of HSLDA on August 1, 2022.

Jim was instrumental in litigating the 2008 California case Jonathan L., in which a state appellate
court reversed its previous ruling that homeschooling was illegal. This put an end to years of
controversy over the legal status of homeschooling in California and set a precedent that affects
other states as well.

Before coming to HSLDA, Jim represented numerous right-to-life groups in campaign finance
cases and clerked for an appellate court in Oregon. He graduated with highest honors from
Regent University School of Law in 1996 and Jim is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving on
active duty in Operation Desert Storm.

Jim and his wife Debbie live in Winchester, Virginia. They have seven children and six
grandchildren. The Masons children have all graduated from the Mason Academy Homeschool.
Jim enjoys birdwatching, book collecting, and family gatherings.

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About Heidi St. John

Heidi has been married to her husband Jay since 1989. Together they have seven children and three grandchildren! The St. Johns homeschooled their kids all the way through high school. Heidi is the the author of seven books, host of the popular podcast "Off the Bench," and the founder of MomStrong International, an online community of women learning God's Word and how to apply it to every day life. She and her husband Jay are also the founders of Firmly Planted Family and the Firmly Planted Homeschool Resource Center, located in Vancouver, Washington.