New Jersey Legislature Turns on Homeschoolers

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

02 Oct 2008 08:44 AM

As of right now, and for quite some time New Jersey has the state where all homeschoolers wish they lived. There have been NO homeschool regulations in that state and the only laws written on paper, are more about what you need to do If someone accuses you of educational abuse. Read: Homeschooling in New Jersey

Recently, two members of New Jersey's State Assembly have introduced a bill the following:

They propose that parents:

1) Be given a deadline to register with their local school;

2) Turn in an outline of educational objectives by subject;

3) Certify that children have received medical care as "required by law" (!);

4) Certify that no one in the home has been convicted of certain criminal offenses;

5) Follow a curriculum developed by the State Commissioner of Education;

6) Keep a portfolio of student work and a deadline to turn it in for inspection;

7) A 30-lead time on arbitrary inspection of the above;

8) Force their children to submit to standardized tests;

9) Have the child's work reviewed by a "qualified evaluator";

10) Have the child "interviewed" by a psychologist, certified teacher or school administrator;

11) 20 days from a bad review to offer more documentation and failing that,

12) To enroll the child into a school.

In return, kids get to play on the school sports team.

(As reported in an email from New Jersey Homeschool Association)

It seems that the goal is to give complete and utter control of homeschoolers to the school districts. The most troubling of these suggested laws are:

Certify medical care as required by law: What law? School districts have rules, but I know of no laws that dictate certain medical care is mandatory.

Certify that no one in the home has been convicted of certain criminal offenses: I find this disturbing because if a homeschooler cannot be in the house with certain people, who may very well be their parents, then public school children should not be in the house with certain individuals. Can the school district take children away from parents who have paid their debt to society?

Have children interviewed by a psychologist, certified school teacher, or administrator: This is the most scary proposal of all because one of these professionals who is against homeschooling can conclude anything they want.

*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.

* Have you seen the homeschooling curriculum glossary?

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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Valorie Delp (49088) 02 Oct 2008 09:19 AM

Wow! Just wow! I hadn't heard this but I am sure that NJ homeschoolers are up in arms and then some. To go from being one of the most lenient to one of the most strict (and ridiculously so) is just unprecedented.

mrmnmom82 (3365) 02 Oct 2008 09:43 AM

What do standardized tests, portfolios, and outlines of education have to do with participating in the school's sports? It's just an excuse to put regulations on homeschoolers.

I bet they are speaking of immunization when they talk about medical care.

Valorie Delp (49088) 02 Oct 2008 10:19 AM

In "fairness" (if I can say it that way--these proposed regulations don't seem to fair to me) with regards to sports. . .standardized tests, portfolios etc. may be used to determine eligibility requirements which has been a concern of sports leagues. But frankly, my kids will just play for the town and outside leagues. Just to play on the sports team is soooooo not worth it.

Andrea Hermitt (5210) 02 Oct 2008 10:29 AM

I will do more research and follow up on this, but from what I can ascertain, one is not contingent on the other. I believe they are proposing homeschoolers follow all these rules period. They they are throwing in the sports bone as a consolation for those who want it.

Kara (20519) 02 Oct 2008 10:43 AM

That is going a little tooo far....don't ya think??? I understand the concerns about child welfare but this goes way beyond that!

Valorie Delp (49088) 02 Oct 2008 12:01 PM

That's interesting Andrea. I know that when my dh was an AD eligibility was a concern that was brought up. . .But I imagine that you're right. They're just a little hyperactive! And yes, kara, they are going way too far.

serenitysmom (166) 02 Oct 2008 02:09 PM

Jesus... I can't believe what they're trying to do. They might as well outlaw homeschooling outright, instead of attempting to be so covert.