Thinking About Homeschooling NJ? Here's What You Need To Know

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Pandemic learning gave many parents a front row seat in their child's education, and some are debating making the switch to homeschooling.

According to the National Home Education Research Institute, there was an estimated 4.5 to 5.0 million homeschool students in grades K-12 in the United States during March 2021. Here are a few things to know about homeschooling before you make the switch:

Notification to your local school board

You're not required by law to notify your local school board of your intent to homeschool, but it is recommended. Alerting your school board can help avoid attendance truancy issues.

On a similar note — your local school board does not have to approve or sign off on the curriculum your child uses for homeschooling. "When parent/guardian educate a child elsewhere than at school, they are responsible for the educational outcomes of the child," according to the Department of Education. You can request materials from the school board and information about the district's curriculum. The board must give these materials as they are public record.

Homeschool regulations

New Jersey is one of the least regulated states for homeschooling. In the Garden State, a teaching certification is not required for homeschooling and the state does not keep specific records of homeschooled children. Parents should keep a documented log of the student's transcripts for future endeavors like college or the military.

Extracurriculars and sports

The local board of education is not required by law to allow a child who is homeschooled to participate in the regular school curriculum or in extracurricular or sports activities, but parents can ask boards.

The rules are a bit different for children with special needs, according to the Dept. of Education:

"In accordance with the federal special education law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act , the board of education must ensure that 'all children with disabilities residing in the State, including children with disabilities attending private schools, regardless of the severity of the disability, and who are in need of special education and related services, are identified, located and evaluated...”

State and standardized tests

Homeschooled students do not have to sit for state and standardized tests.

High School diplomas and graduation

A homeschooled student does not receive a state-endorsed high school diploma from the board of education.

If the student re-enrolls in the public school to get a high school diploma, an assessment is made as to the child’s compliance with state and local requirements and eligibility for a high school diploma.

Homeschooled students can earn a New Jersey State High School Diploma: by passing the General Educational Development Test; or by completing 30 general education credits leading to a degree at an accredited institution of higher education and by performing at the proficient or advanced proficient level of achievement in all sections of the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).

More information on homeschooling in New Jersey can be found on the Department of Education website.