Homeschool Iowa CONFERENCE
SPECIAL TRACKS

Exciting NEW Conference Options for YOU in 2021!

SPECIAL TRACKS

FRIDAY-Saturday
June 18-19, 2021
GRAND VIEW UNIVERSITY
Des Moines

Exciting new Special Tracks will be offered during our 2021 Conference on Friday and Saturday, replacing the Thursday mini-conferences we've offered in the past!

This year, we're scheduling three different Special Tracks during the regular conference days, Friday and Saturday, so more of you can attend!

BEGINNING
HOMESCHOOLING

Scott Woodruff has worked as an attorney for Home School Legal Defense Association since 1998, assisting thousands of home educating families in dealings with social workers, police officers, truant officers, principals, superintendents, and prosecuting attorneys.

Scott has represented HSLDA members in court and has appeared before many state legislatures to fight against repressive homeschool legislation. He is a frequent speaker at homeschool conferences and on radio programs across the country.

HOMESCHOOLING
SPECIAL NEEDS

Peggy Ployhar, SPED Homeschool Founder & CEO, is a leader in the special education homeschooling whose homeschooling journey when her oldest child was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome 18 years ago.

Peggy is the former THSC (Texas Home School Coalition) Special Needs Team Leader, MACHE (Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators) Special Needs Coordinator and MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Area Coordinator for MN, ND and SD. She is certified by the American Association of Christian Counselors and trained as a Precept Bible Study leader.

FRIDAY, JUNE 18
12:45-1:00pm:
Welcome & Introductions
1:00-2:00pm:
The Essentials of Homeschool Special Needs
~ Peggy Ployhar
2:00-2:15pm:
Special Track Sponsor Session: Decoding Dyslexia Iowa
2:15-2:30pm:
Special Needs Displays
2:30-3:30pm:
Customizing Curriculum for Students' Special Needs
~Peggy Ployhar
3:30-4:00pm
Special Needs Displays
4:00-5:00pm:
Post-Homeschool Transition Planning for Special Needs Students
~ Peggy Ployhar
5:00-6:00pm
Special Needs Displays

HIGH SCHOOL
& BEYOND

Carol Becker and her husband Jim homeschooled their children K-12. With a B.S. and M.S. in Engineering, Carol started and directed two co-ops—one focused on humanities and the other on science.

At HSLDA, Carol serves as Team Leader for the High School Educational Consultants, and she works closely with homeschooling families, guiding them through the high school process. She is a seasoned, nationally known speaker.

Carol has co-authored two e-books available on Amazon: Develop a High School Plan and Simplify Your Recordkeeping and Transcript.

SATURDAY, JUNE 19
12:15-12:30pm:
Welcome & Speaker Introduction
12:30-1:30pm:
Developing a Plan for High School
~ Carol Becker
1:30-2:00pm:
Sponsor Session: Dordt University
2:00-3:00pm:
High School Transcript Clinic
~ Carol Becker
3:00-3:30pm:
Sponsor Session & Exhibits
3:30-4:30pm:
Charting Your Way Through High School for College, Career, or Military
~ Carol Becker
4:30-5:30pm:
Displays and Mix & Mingle

Homeschooling 101 Mini-Conference

Thinking of homeschooling? Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t know where to start?

Take advantage of our Homeschooling 101 mini-conference.
Introductory workshops will
• walk you through Iowa homeschool law,
• give you guidance as you choose curriculum, and
• encourage you as you step into home education.

Homeschool Iowa is pleased to offer this Mini-Conference
at an special low admission rate for those who are exploring the option of home education.

Admission to this Mini-Conference is included in full-conference registration.

Learn More

Homeschooling 101 Workshops

WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT & WHERE DO I BEGIN?

PRESENTER: POLLY LILLY
Retired NICHE Board Member & Regional Representatives Coordinator

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

This workshop will help you think through the important steps needed to successfully homeschool. Polly will include how to overcome some of the obstacles and challenging questions that many will meet as beginning homeschoolers. The diverse approaches to homeschooling will be presented as well as examples and stories from her 17 years of home educating her children and 6 years as an supervising teacher. Resources will be shared and questions will be answered at the end of the session. We’ll cover some common roadblocks and misconceptions about “what school should look like” and also discuss many of the stages that homeschool families experience as they walk through the years. There will be a time for interaction and questions.

HOMESCHOOLING WITH CONFIDENCE: UNDERSTANDING IOWA’S HOMESCHOOL LAW

PRESENTER: Scott Woodruff
HSLDA Attorney for Iowa

2:15 - 3:15 p.m.

Iowa's homeschool laws can seem quite complicated and overwhelming. With multiple options, and varying requirements, the legal maze can seem like an obstacle course.
Home School Legal Defense Association attorney, Scott Woodruff, will provide you with everything you need to know about Iowa's homeschool laws so you can homeschool with confidence.

CAN HOMESCHOOLING REALLY TURN OUT WELL?

PRESENTERS: HOMESCHOOL GRADUATE PANEL

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Most parents who are considering home education ask questions about the end results of homeschooling. They want to know about socialization, about college admission, and about employability.

This presentation will allow you to meet and hear from a group of Iowa homeschool graduates. Hear them tell about their own experiences as homeschooled students. Find out what homeschooling has meant to them.