How to homeschool in N.J. Things to know before you make the decision. – NJ.com

If the coronavirus pandemic has made you want to homeschool your child, rather than send them back to school in September, there are a few things you should know about New Jersey’s homeschool laws.

Even though New Jersey law requires children between the ages of 6 and 16 to be provided an education, they don’t need to attend a school. They just need to be given instruction that is equivalent.

“Homeschooling is a joy when parents focus on their children’s interests, strengths, and weaknesses, then create learning plans that match those with the parents’ own interests, strengths, and weaknesses,” said Pamela Kerr, a board member for the New Jersey Homeschool Association.

Several school leaders have said it’s too soon to tell if the pandemic will create a surge in homeschooling because many districts have not yet presented their plans for the fall.

“We have not seen an increase at this point,” said Daniel Fishbein, superintendent for Ridgewood schools.

Pandemic aside, homeschooling has become more popular across the country in the past two decades. Homeschool enrollment has increased 75% between 1999 and 2019 to more than 2 million students who are homeschooled nationally, according to the National Home School Association.

New Jersey is one of the least regulated states for homeschooling.

Homeschool instructors in New Jersey don’t have to have a teaching certificate, under state law. They don’t need to track attendance or submit specific records — but you should keep transcripts for if your child goes back to school, applies to college or enlists in the military.

Notify your district that you intend to homeschool.

New Jersey’s law regarding homeschooling doesn’t require you to tell your district that you plan to homeschool your child, but it will help you avoid truancy issues if you do let them know, particularly for children who were previously enrolled in school.

“Parents withdraw from the district and we confirm with a letter that they will be homeschooling their child,” Fishbein said. “The parent is now responsible for the education of their child. We have our curriculum online if they choose to use it. It is up to the parent at that point.”

You can request information about the district’s curriculum.

The school board doesn’t have to review and approve the curriculum for a child who is homeschooled, but a homeschooling parent can ask the board of education for information about its curriculum for comparison or background. The board must provide this information because it is a public record. It may charge for the cost of copying documents.

You can request access to sports and textbooks.

A board of education is not required by law to let a homeschooled child participate in extracurricular activities and sports, but they might allow it. You should ask. The board may also loan books or other materials to a child who is homeschooled, but again, it is not required to allow it.

You don’t have to be an expert in all subject areas.

“Parents don’t have to do everything themselves,” said Kerr. “They can find mentors, tutors, special homeschooler classes (in non-pandemic times at museums, parks, etc. Maybe nowadays online), online programs, local cooperative groups or even friends with whom to barter help with different subject matter. Libraries and librarians can also be great resources for homeschoolers.”

Homeschooled children don’t lack socialization.

“I was worried about it too,” said Becky Fergus, of Hampton, who has homeschooled three children through graduation and is homeschooling three more now. “At school, they are told when and where they can socialize if they are allowed to at all. They can maybe talk at lunch, recess (if there is one), gym class, etc. With homeschooling, they socialize all the time, maybe not with peers but with everyone they come in contact with. They tend to go to more places and come in contact with more people. They learn to interact with people of all ages.”

Homeschooling doesn’t mean the kid sits at a desk at home all day.

“While some parents do approximate school at home, with children sitting at desks for hours at a time, most parents basing education at home use a variety of approaches and time frames for teaching their children,” Kerr said. “Some parents assign daily work that can be done in whatever amount of time the children need, while others act more as coordinators who match options with children’s current interests.”

The child will have to be evaluated for grade placement if he or she returns to public school.

If a homeschooled child returns to public school they will be given an objective assessment that is given to all students for that subject or grade to determine their placement for the grade level.

Homeschooled children don’t get a diploma from the district.

A state-endorsed high school diploma from the board of education can only be obtained by re-enrolling in public school after undergoing an assessment. A New Jersey State High School Diploma can be earned by passing the General Educational Development Test or by completing 30 general education credits towards a degree at an accredited institution of higher education and by passing the High School Proficiency Assessment.

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Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com.