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ACROSS THE STATES

NEW JERSEY

Pequannock phones home for information

On June 29, 2004, the superintendent of schools for the Pequannock Township School District telephoned a Home School Legal Defense Association member family and asked for the names and ages of their children, indicating that the district was required to report the information to the state. Although our member acknowledged that she was homeschooling her children, she declined to provide any further information, even when pressed by the superintendent.

As soon as our member reported this call to us, we telephoned the superintendent and told her that New Jersey law does not require homeschool families to report the names and ages of their children. Agreeing that this was correct, the superintendent admitted that she had called local homeschool families hoping they would feel obligated to respond. She assured us she would make clear in future phone calls that families are not required to provide the information.

If you receive a telephone call from the superintendent of schools, you may wish to acknowledge you are homeschooling your children, but we recommend that you not provide their names or ages.

Washington corrects "registration" blooper

An HSLDA member family in the Washington Township School District recently called their local public school with a question. The official, after answering the question, proceeded to inform the family that in order to comply with New Jersey's compulsory attendance law, they must register their homeschooled child with the state.

In fact, no such registration is required. HSLDA sent a letter explaining this to the official and followed up with a phone call. The official apologized and said she did not mean to say that the family was required to register, but that it would be helpful if the family notified the school district of their intent to homeschool.

We appreciate this correction. Although notifying your school district is not required by law, it is usually a good idea when first withdrawing a child who has been enrolled in public school.

North Hanover requests annual notice

An HSLDA member family sent a letter of withdrawal to the superintendent of schools in North Hanover and began homeschooling their son on March 16, 2004. The superintendent's reply stated, "This letter will acknowledge receipt of your notice . . . Please note that this notice is required each school year that you intend to home school your child."

Our member family, aware that they were not legally required to notify the school district, called HSLDA for assistance. We telephoned the superintendent and asked him why he said the notice was required. A bit embarrassed, he apologized. He said that the letter he sent was obsolete and he had forgotten to update it.

At our request, the superintendent wrote again to the family, explaining that no such notice was required.

— by Scott A. Woodruff