On Thursday, the New Jersey Senate is set to review a bill that would require families with homeschooled children to share certain information with local authorities.
Senate Bill 1796, initiated by New Jersey Senator Angela McKnight, mandates that local school districts “notify the parent or guardian annually” in writing about their intent to homeschool a child.
“The notification will contain the child’s name, date of birth, grade level, and the name of the educator providing guidance,” according to the current language of the bill.
Under SB 1796, districts are required to compile data annually, making it accessible on their websites. This includes information about the number of children being homeschooled and their respective educational stages.
The Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is opposing the bill and has scheduled a legislative hearing on Tuesday, June 5th, to discuss SB 1796. It will be on the agenda for that day’s New Jersey Senate Board of Education hearing.
The HSLDA argues that the bill imposes unnecessary and cumbersome requirements. They state that the legislation requires all homeschool families in New Jersey to submit information to public school principals about their intentions, including each child’s birth date and grade, without providing adequate privacy protections.
In a recent post on X, the HSLDA urged homeschooling families in New Jersey to reach out to their state senators, advocating for opposition to SB 1796.
Bridgeway Academy has noted that families who decide to homeschool in New Jersey currently face minimal requirements. The state has historically been one of the more regulated when it comes to homeschooling, nurturing a vibrant environment for homeschool cooperatives and communities.
“New Jersey law requires children to receive an educational experience equivalent to what they would receive in public schools,” they added.
The New Jersey Department of Education’s website outlines two scenarios where parents should inform their local school boards about their intent to homeschool instead of enrolling in school.
In the first scenario, if a parent or guardian attempts to register a child in a local school and is denied admission, they must provide a verification statement regarding whether the child will attend a different school, private institution, or be homeschooled.
The second scenario applies when a parent or guardian decides to remove a registered student from high school education. In such cases, the parent or guardian must submit a transfer form to provide information on the intent to educate outside of public schooling, helping collect accurate data on high school enrollments.
Back in 2017, McKnight introduced legislation aimed at giving parents the opportunity to homeschool their children, providing a chance to claim tax credits for related out-of-pocket expenses.
