Unless laws have changed in another state that I don't know about, Georgia is the only state that requires attendance records to be sent in monthly...and it bothers me every single month that I have to do it, because it is a reminder that homeschooling is not legal, it is not a right....surprised? You shouldn't be. When you have to comply with state laws, the state is providing a privilege. A "right" is something you can do without being given permission to do it or being told how you must do it. Those Pesky Attendance Records
I can see what you mean! I would get annoyed by this! And I do see your point about the legalities. What I don't get is why it is so different from state to state...why won't they just pick one good set of standards (Texas law would be nice, lol) and let us stick to that. I don't see why we don't just have to register that we're homeschooling one time (like you do in ps when they are starting kindergarten) and leave it at that.
You are exactly right! I never thought of it that way before. Excellent thought. Something to take note of as laws on homeschooling begin to change or get reworded as time goes on. We may think a little word change or a minor new policy is not a big deal but it really is.
Is Is amazing the differences in state laws though. I think monthly is just insane of course it might be to me because i don't have to do any of that. In kansas our ONLY requirement is to register with the state. They like us to have i think 180 days but we don't have to document it. We don't have to take test and send them in.. we don't have to do anything. I DO keep records and I do test them ON MY OWN just to make sure I am doing my job and to shove it in my MIL face when needed...LOL
Here in IL, we don't have any laws about registering or attendance. However, you also don't have any 'rights' when it comes to using public school libraries, clubs and sports. I personally think that if my children have the "right" to a free and appropriate public education, I should be able to pick and choose on what level they participate, rather than an all or nothing approach by our state. On a side note...here in IL, the public schools require you to register your child at the beginning of each school year. At least we never have to register for anything concerning homeschooling.
We have reporting requirements in PA, but not monthly ones, thankfully. I am told that we are one of the more restrictive states, but none of our requirements have teeth. We don’t ask permission to homeschool; we simply give notification. Our curriculum and portfolios are not up for approval really. A school district could make an issue about our curriculum, but it would not be easy for them. The process would be too tedious for them to undertake unless they had a serious concern. I view our requirements as mere formalities. It would be interesting to know how many, if any, homeschoolers have had educational decisions forced upon them or had their right to homeschool denied. Are there states that have forced kids back into public schools except in proven and obvious cases of child abuse and neglect and perhaps in cases when custody is an issue? Is there a procedure they must follow to deny your right to homeschool or are you at the mercy of an individual or a small group of individuals?
Brooke...that is the truth. We should be able to pick and choose. And the school should get their 1/4 student credit or whatever depending on the level of participation. Like my son goes to band...out of 8 periods...so is he 1/8 of a student? BUT we only get to choose one activity. I personally think it is a bit of a pain in the behind for him to go at all but it is important to his dad. Anyway, take note, because it will be the same for healthcare, the all or nothing approach. Only you won't be able to choose nothing.
Since we use a charter school and have to sign a contract we have to turn in our monthly hours every month and what assignments we worked on for high school for K-8 we don't have to turn in actual work but twice a year. It works for me, I don't mind it. I don't mind being accountable for proving that we are doing what we do. I'd rather cross my t's and dot my i's and have proof than someone to come along and tell me wrong.
The difference is that you have made a commitment to comply with your school of choice. If you don't turn them in, it is unlikely that you would have a state case worker making a house call.
Actually, I have had a state worker on my doorstep because of my neighbor regardless that my kids were enrolled into a charter school she made our life he double hockey sticks because she didn't agree that it was a real school. And there for she felt that my kids were in danger. She didn't consider it a real school because she felt that my kids didn't get enough socialization. The next time she came to my house she asked me if I enrolled my kids in a "real" school, which I did not. In our county they HATE our school because it's independent, because we're considered home school, because they think our kids are odd and don't socialize which is a load of horse muck. But whatever. I'm content with our choice and content with how happy my kids are with their school. There have been several other parents in our school that have had the same experience just because they use our school, it's almost like it's targeted and since we live in a small county we all deal with it to have our kids in a place they like and enjoy.
I am sorry that you have such a neighbor. It is truly sad. However, as you described, this particular the visit from the state worker had nothing to do with whether or not you sent in your attendance records to your school. I am not detracting the possible threat that any homeschooling family could have a visit from a state worker for any reason, but specifically addressing how having to report monthly makes Georgian homeschoolers more vulnerable in a specific way that is unique to this state. There is a monthly threat that if our records truly get lost in the mail that it could be cause to initiate a house call from a state worker as that would be a violation of the homeschool laws and there is no provision for giving us a warning.
She was a horrid neighbor, it went beyond just that incident though in our case as well as the you don't socialize your kids case worker. However, I do feel your state is demanding, I would hope though that you insure and send your paperwork so that when it's delivered it requires a signature so you have proof that it was received at least for your peace of mind. Good luck with it all.
I am in GA also and never really thought of it the way you said. I have always hsed and just went with it and did what was asked. I really don't consider it to be a problem though. I did hear that some counties are worse than others. I am in cobb (close to ATL) and they don't give any one any trouble that I know of.
