Homeschooling is a great way to provide educational opportunities that may not exist in traditional public or private schools. It requires a significant amount of time, energy and resources from parents to ensure that their children have a quality education that is tailored to the individual needs and interests of each student. If you are a parent looking to homeschool your child in New Jersey, it is important to know what is required in order to make the process a success.
What is Required of Parents in NJ?
In New Jersey, regulations require parents to file a form with the local supervisory district in which the student resides. This form, known as the Declaration of Intent to Homeschool, must be renewed each year.
The parent is then responsible for providing a suitable “organized, systematic instruction” program to their child. In order to meet this criteria, the parent must provide students with instruction in the areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health. Additionally, the student must be physically present in the household of the parent and be given a performance level assessment by a certified teacher.
What Educational Resources are Available?
Given the range of educational materials available, parents have the autonomy to choose whatever educational plan works best for their family. Parents may choose from traditional written materials such as textbooks and workbooks, as well as audio, video and web-based learning programs. Additionally, parents may find enrichment classes such as art, music and athletics offered at local museums, libraries, or community centers.
It is important for parents to ensure that their materials meet the core curriculum and the standards set by the state.
What Support Systems are in Place?
One of the most important components of home-schooling is having an adequate support system in place. This support system can come in many forms, ranging from local home-schooling organizations, to online support and mentorship programs. Local home-schooling organizations can provide resources such as curriculum reviews, educational materials, and open-peer discussion groups.
Online support can be found through home-schooling message boards and online forums. Additionally, parents may look to potential partnership with other families in the area who are also home-schoolling their children in order to help mentor one another and stay informed about news impacting the home-schooling community.
How Do I Keep Records for Accountability?
Parents should maintain records of their home-schooling program and assessment results, regardless of whether or not the parent is required to formally file a Declaration of Intent. Keeping records not only helps ensure accountability in compliance with state regulations, but it is also beneficial for keeping track of learning progress and properly documenting the student’s educational experience.
Records should include attendance records, written assessments and evaluations, lesson plans, educational materials used, and any extracurricular activities in which the student is engaged.
What Challenges Can I Expect?
As home-schooling can be challenging, it is important to be prepared for potential obstacles. Home-schoolers must be prepared to find creative ways to deal with the potential stress of the workload, maintain a balance between the educational needs of the student, and adhere to any regulations that apply to home-schooling. Additionally, the age of the student can present additional challenges such as more complex course work and coordination of multiple students.
Additionally, parents must also consider the financial commitment associated with home-schooling as purchasing curriculum, extracurricular activities, and field trips can add up quickly.
What Other Situations Should I Be Aware of?
In certain situations, such as a high risk situation for the student, parents may opt for the student to receive instruction from a teacher or other qualified person. In such cases, theparent is required to make arrangements for instruction and the instructor must maintain a program in adherence with the standards of the state.
Additionally, if the student is enrolled in a public or private school at the same time as home-schooling, the student must adhere to the standards of both educational institutions.
Are There Legally Required Holidays and Breaks?
In New Jersey, there are no legally required holidays or breaks that home-schoolers must adhere to. Instead, parents may choose to take a break when they feel it is beneficial for their student or when vacations/holidays are particularly beneficial for teaching a certain unit.
What About Testing?
Although not required in New Jersey, some home-schoolers may choose to have their children tested in order to measure their progress and identify any areas needing additional assistance. This can be accomplished through an assessment provided by a certified instructor or via a standardized achievement test.
Additionally, many home-schoolers choose to take advantage of the assessment options available through the Partnership for Reaching Outstanding Performance (PROPs) program.
What Are Homestudy Programs?
Homestudy programs provide resources to home-schoolers in the state of New Jersey. These programs provide an array of educational opportunities to students, such as individualized lesson plans and teaching materials, suggested field trips and educational resources, and the ability to interact with other home-schoolers.
Some of these programs also provide parents with access to certified teachers and instructors who can provide regular assessment and guidance for the home-schooling student.
What Distance Learning Options are Available in NJ?
Distance learning programs allow home-schoolers to take advantage of learning opportunities from home. New Jersey offers a variety of distance learning programs that give parents and students access to curriculum and educational materials from a variety of sources.
These distance learning programs are typically offered through community colleges or universities and allow for basic course work or specialized studies to be completed online.
Are Involvement in Sports and Other Extracurriculars Allowed?
In New Jersey, home-schoolers can participate in sports and extracurricular activities at public or private schools. In order to qualify, students must meet the minimum requirements set forth by the state, which includes being in good academic standing and having evidence of homeschooling records. It is important to note that some public school districts may not recognize a non-accredited homeschooling programs and require that homeschoolers take standardized achievement tests prior to being accepted into their programs.
Are Other Services Available for My Student?
Home-schoolers in New Jersey have the option to seek services from other public, private or independent providers. These can include private tutoring, occupational or speech-language therapy, psychological evaluations or even special services for children with disabilities.
It is important for parents to understand their rights as a home-schooling parent, as some services may not be covered in the same manner as a public school student. Additionally, services may be billed independently or applied to the student’s tuition if enrolled in a private school.
What Resources are Available to Help With the Financial Commitment?
Home-schooling can be both an educational and financial commitment. The state of New Jersey has several programs in place to help defray the costs associated with home-schooling such as tax credits and grants. Additionally, some home-schooling curriculum providers offer discounts programs to home-schoolers as well as online tools and resources to help parents estimate their financial needs.
Conclusion
Home-schooling provides parents and students with a unique educational experience, but it also has specific requirements to ensure that the student’s educational needs are met. Those looking to homeschool their children in New Jersey need to understand what is expected of them, the resources available for their student, and the financial considerations associated with the process. With a little research, parents can ensure that their student has an opportunity to explore and expand their educational horizon from the comfort of their own home.