Homeschool Laws in New Jersey
An Overview of the Homeschooling Regulations
Homeschooling in New Jersey is pretty simple in terms of getting started. Learn what laws are in place for this eastern state.
This article is a basic overview of the regulations for homeschooling in New Jersey. Please be sure to check with the New Jersey Department of Education to get specific requirements, or your local homeschooling organization to connect with other homeschoolers who share your values and goals for homeschooling your children.
Home School Parent Education Requirements
Home schooling is allowed in the state of New Jersey as long as the education that is received by the child is comparable to the education received in a public school. There are no special requirements that must be met by a parent that is starting a home school.
Forms and Paperwork Required
There are no special forms or paperwork that must be completed and submitted in order for a home school to be started. Keep in mind that if litigation is initiated, it is the parent that must prove to the local superintendent that his or her home school is indeed providing instruction that is at least equivalent to that in the local school. If litigation goes further than that, then the burden then becomes the state’s to prove that the child is not receiving an adequate or equivalent education.
Kindergarten Home School Requirements
No kindergarten homeschool requirements exist in New Jersey since the school compulsory attendance age begins at age six in New Jersey. Homeschool would thus actually start in the first grade.
Testing Requirements
Assessment of any form is not required in the state of New Jersey. This means that there is not a national standardized test, a state mandated test, or even a local school test requirement to be met.
Other Useful Information
As you determine the curriculum to use in your home school, again, it is necessary to insure that instruction is equivalent to that in the public schools. Language arts, science, and math must all be taught in some way. Health, physical education, and safety are also included every year into the public school curriculum. Public schools must also include community civics, New Jersey civics, geography, and history in the elementary schools. The high schools must include both United States history and New Jersey history.
Special services at public schools must also be open for the use of homeschooled students as long as the service is already being provided on the campus and it is already open to private school students to use. The Education Network of Christian Homeschoolers of New Jersey is an organization that may be of assistance to you in your home school effort. The New Jersey Homeschool Sports Association may be of assistance in your curriculum as well.
This article provides a basic overview of homeschool regulations in the State of New Jersey and is not intended to be considered as legal advice. A full copy of the New Jersey statutes for homeschooling is available by the New Jersey Department of Education and should be consulted by those planning to homeschool in this state. You can also consult the Home School Legal Defense Association website for more information as well.
