I’ve been reading trying to understand the differences between homeschooling legal issues from state to state.
To pick two states at random, I think I’ll compare the legal issues about homeschooling in New Jersey with those from homeschooling in Florida. I’ve done some reading and at the end of the day, it’s hard to tell from an hour of online reading what the real situation is (PLEASE – Don’t take this as legal advice). I think…
New Jersey - The parents have no reporting requirements but should provide an education equivalent to the public one. Not clear what equivalent means. The state seems to be very laissez faire forcing the state to take the initiative to prove that what a parent is doing is not equivalent.
Florida - Parents need to report annually to their local school board of their intentions and ensure an annual assessment of their child. It sounds like mostly, this is pretty hands-off too.
There is no specific homeschooling law in New Jersey. But, the court rulings and practice seems to suggest that parents can provide the education rather than the public schools. In fact, it appears that New Jersey gives parents a great deal of freedom. My reading is that no reporting is required at all and that there are no requirements for parents in terms of education. Here’s a summary from the AZhomeschooling site:
Parents should maintain continuous records/documentation that shows they are providing their homeschooled children with equivalent instruction as in the public schools. However, usually if questioned by a school system (very rare), all one needs do is mention by name the titles of the books used. The State of New Jersey has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that a family’s curriculum is not equivalent.
And in quoting from another Florida homeschool info source: Parents who home-school their children in Florida have multiple options for doing so, ranging from falling under the oversight of their local school district, enrolling in a non-campus-based private school or hiring a private tutor. More information:: How to Homeschool – A guide to homeschooling in Florida – detailed information about the laws and your options in Florida. Florida Parent Educators Association (FPEA) – Statewide group that publishes a member newsletter, host’s the state’s largest homeschool convention, and offers assistance to homeschoolers through a system of district directors. Home Education Foundation (HEF) – Christian-based lobbying organization that focuses on home education and family issues. A to Z Home’s Cool Homeschooling – Ann Zeise’s homeschooling super-site with pages and information for Florida.
