New Jersey
Too much information
Recently a family in Woodbridge received a letter from the local school board requesting information regarding names, ages, and grade levels of the children along with a curriculum outline. The letter stated that this request was made so that approval for the home school and its curriculum could be given by the board. Being relatively certain this was not a requirement, Mrs. Marsh* called Home School Legal Defense Association.
New Jersey Statutes Annotated § 18A:38-25 states that every parent shall cause his children within prescribed age limits to "attend the public schools of the district or a day school in which there is given instruction equivalent to that provided in the public schools for children of similar grades and attainments or to receive equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school." These parents were providing that instruction in the subjects required. No authorization is given for the school board to approve curriculum.
On behalf of our member family, we called the local school board and informed them that New Jersey law does not mandate that families provide the information they were requesting. After we firmly stated our position a number of times, the school official reluctantly relented, though she stated that "everyone else" cooperates and the school needs to keep track of the students. After accusing us of "making things difficult," she conceded to accept a simple letter from the family stating that they were home schooling.
— Scott A. Woodruff
* Editor's Note: Name changed to protect family's privacy.
