Across the States
Because You are a Private School
Because California homeschoolers operate under the private school statute, they can expect to receive a variety of correspondence from their local school district attempting to collect demographic information or offer access to federally funded programs.
The letter most recently sent to private schools contained the “Student National Origin Report.” Other letters ask if the private school wants to participate in Title I or Title II programs; a letter from the Special Education Local Plan Area provides information on the special education services available to private school students.
Each public school is under a federal mandate to contact all the private schools in its area to offer these services and programs, and it often needs proof that it has done so. However, a response from the private school is not mandatory. In states where homeschoolers operate as private schools, these letters are routine. Because homeschoolers tend to ignore these letters, some school districts have started sending the letters via certified mail so that there is a receipt and proof that the private school was contacted. The districts may even pressure the private schools to reply.
Home School Legal Defense Association does not believe there is any problem with a private school answering these letters with the simple response, “Will not participate” or another appropriate reply. If you have a question about how you should reply, please contact HSLDA.
— by J. Michael Smith
