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Who the HEC Are We?

HEC stands for Home Education Connection. It was started by home educating parents, Michael and Susan, in southern Ohio in 2000. Actually, it began in 1999 when Susan was asked to help several families in the school district she lives in get their kids out of the public school system. After dealing with the families and the Superintendent and his office, Susan was flabbergasted to see that the home educating parents did not know what their rights were and that the superintendent's office was overstepping its bounds. Michael and Susan began talking about what they could do to educate families on their rights as home educators.

By the time the end of the public school year came around, Michael and Susan were receiving calls in 3 different school districts and 2 different counties about assessments and when to send in their notification for next year. They decided that there was a huge need for some home education workshops.

In late June, 2000, they had their first workshop at the Mt. Orab branch of the Brown County Public Library. Twenty people showed up and about ten others called to ask questions and to receive packets. There were many stories told about what has happened to other home educators. From this workshop, two support groups have been started. This workshop was a great success and they decided to do another workshop in another county.

In early August, 2000, Michael and Susan led another workshop in Hillsboro, Ohio (Highland County). The program was similar to the first one, with the addition of two curriculum vendors who set up table displays to show people what was available. There were around 35 people, with more calls and questions from others who could not attend. This workshop was an even bigger success!

Due to these workshops, they have been asked to come and lead others. They have led several workshops with Family Christian Stores Family Christian Stores.

Michael and Susan have since separated, but Susan is still home educating their three children and they both are still working with home educators. Since its beginning until January 2002, Michael and Susan have helped more than twenty parents begin their way of home educating, talked to countless number of public school employees on behalf of parents, and have even gone to court with a few parents who have had trouble with the school systems.

You can contact them to lead workshops with your group or they can speak on any such topic that your group would like. To see a sample of their August workshop schedule, please click here.

Here is an (incomplete) list of what HEC does:

1. Workshops for groups, counties, schools, etc. (there is a small copy charge for this)
2. Walk groups and individuals through the notification process
3. Help set up support groups
4. Help parents/guardians take their children out of the public school system
5. Help parents with problems they experience with the public school system
6. Be liasons and mediators between parents and the public school system.
7. Speak to groups about home educating (small travel fee depending on where they have to travel)
8. HEC works for YOU!