Mr. Thomas J. Schmidt, Esq.:  Homeschool Conference Speaker and Workshop Leader Details

Home Education and the Obama Administration: National Issues Affecting Our Freedom
This session will discuss current federal legislation that the Home School Legal Defense Association is tracking, as well as President Obama's policy that could impact home education freedom. T.J., an HSLDA staff attorney, will also briefly discuss the broader threat to parental rights that could impact our right to teach our children at home. He will cover bills that could affect homeschoolers, as well as policy initiative that the Obama administration has specifically championed.

Homeschooling a Child With Educational Needs and the Law - What are your rights and the legal issues you should know about? (Part 1)
These workshops will discuss everything you need to know about your legal rights when teaching a child with a special educational need at home. To ensure that your specific issue or question is addressed this workshop will have plenty time for your questions. HSLDA staff attorney Tj Schmidt will discuss your right to teach your special needs child at home and highlight any reporting requirements that are unique for special needs families.

Homeschooling a Child With Educational Needs and the Law- What are your rights and the legal issues you should know about? (Part 2)
A continued discussion from part 1, this workshop will also cover your right to seek public evaluation of your child’s needs as well as your right to decline an individualized education plan (IEP). Tj will discuss information for parents who live in states where homeschool students are eligible for special education services and the pros and cons that go with a decision to seek these services through the public school.

Homeschooling Legal Topics

Legislative, Legal & Regulatory

• Homeschooled for Nine Years
• Homeschooling Father of Four
• HSLDA Staff Attorney

Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt was first taught at home in the second grade by his parents in northern Vermont. For nearly all of the remaining years of his elementary and secondary education Tj was taught at home. For much of that time his family was on foreign mission fields. Tj received his J.D. while studying at home from Oak Brook College of Law and began serving as a Legal Assistant at HSLDA. Now, as an HSLDA Staff Attorney, Tj answers general legal questions and assists members across the country experiencing legal difficulties. Tj and his wife, Susan, have five children, Josiah, Suzanna, Ella, Makenna, and Jonah. They look forward to teaching all of their children at home.