Bill would require registration, oversight for homeschooling in New Jersey
TRENTON — A new bill introduced in the New Jersey Assembly would mandate formal registration and oversight of home education programs, marking a significant shift in how homeschooling is monitored across the state.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley (District 18), the bill would require parents or guardians who intend to homeschool their children to notify their local school superintendent each year by August 1, or within 14 days of starting a program. The notification must include the student’s name and age, as well as the name of the program supervisor.
“Is this a joke? The entire point of homeschooling, private schooling, and school choice is that parents—not Trenton bureaucrats—decide what’s best for their children,” said New Jersey Republican Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia. “New Jersey is home to many excellent choices for families: traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet and Renaissance schools, private and parochial schools, micro schools, virtual schools, and homeschooling. It is not the state’s job to dictate how every child must learn. What’s next? Private schools? Religious schools? Will Trenton try to bring their curriculum standards under their control too?”
In addition to registration, families would be required to submit a curriculum aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards.
Under the proposal, the home education supervisor must maintain a portfolio of the student’s work, including reading materials, worksheets, creative work, and a written annual evaluation conducted by a qualified, independent evaluator.
The evaluator may be a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, or a certified teacher or administrator—excluding the student’s parent or guardian.
The portfolio and evaluation must be submitted to the superintendent by June 30 each school year.
“The evaluation shall certify whether an appropriate education is occurring in the home education program,” the bill states.
The legislation would also authorize local superintendents to issue state-endorsed diplomas to homeschooled students who meet the bill’s requirements and demonstrate academic proficiency equivalent to a traditional high school education.
If enacted, the bill would take effect at the start of the next full academic year.