New Jersey's compulsory education law states that every child between the ages of six and 16 must attend a public or private school, or receive "equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school". N.J. Rev. Stat. § 18A: 38-25.
Teacher certification required? - NoTesting - No
Oversight - None
- Students must be "given instruction equivalent to that provided in the public schools for
children of similar grades and attainments or to receive equivalent
instruction elsewhere than at school.” It seems this is for the "major subjects" of : math, English, science, health and fitness, social studies. Fire safety should be covered under health and fitness. While foreign language was not listed, some have argued that it "should" also be covered as this law was written before foreign language was required in public schools.
You or your parent/guardian should maintain records/documentation that shows homeschooled children are getting with equivalent instruction as in the public schools. Rarely is this requested, but usually the titles of the books used is enough. (You can also have them stored online by creating an account at goodreads or a similar book site.) The State of New Jersey has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that a family's curriculum is not equivalent. - NOTE: when I googled "homeschooling in Newark" yesterday, incorrect information showed up!
- One does NOT need to inform one's school district - although some homeschoolers do as a courtesy.
Free homeschooling resrouces for high school:
- with an email (you can get one free from gmail) you can learn math & science and track your progress using Khan Academy (khanacademy.com and his video lessons)
- Doing a research paper counts toward English. The skills are the same whether you write about J Lo, Ice-T, Redman of the Def Squad, George Washington, Whitney Houston, or Shaquille O'Neal.
- This list of (Free) Online High School Courses and Curriculum was collected to help students who were displaced or lost schools post-Katrina, but it is kept up-to-date! (Thank you Carolyn & Kathi!) ((I don't know these, but two more lists to help homeschool High school: * Homeschooling for Free on the Internet, and * Homeschooling Through High School.
When you're done - what about a diploma? There are three ways to get one:
- once you are at least 16 years old: take the GED test. (The complete test is $50. There is practice/prep online and currently 34 Official GED Testing Centers in New Jersey. For more, see Frequently Asked Questions about the GED(R) You can take it up to 3 times in one year. Click here for a GED practice test.)
- Complete at least 30 general education college credits (that's about 10 courses each with a grade C of bettter) leading to a degree at an accredited institution of higher education, pass one of the accepted test, and contact the GED office. For more information on specific requirements and an application, click http://www.nj.gov/education/students/ged/30ccapp.pdf. If all requirements are met, a State-issued high school diploma is awarded.
- Adult high schools are public schools offering supervised instruction
in the day or evening to allow adults to complete the requirements for a
locally issued state-endorsed diploma. Students are held accountable
for the statewide assessment in effect at the time they meet all other
graduation requirements. For a list of these schools go to: http://www.nj.gov/education/students/ged/ahsp/
- Print your own homeschool diploma. It is valid if you have done the work although you may want to keep a transcript ready to that is the route you take. (I think that getting a "government diploma" for homeschooling is only possible in PA and North Dakota & not everyone there does it.)
