School super says I have to sign TEA said, I don't have to "sign" my child out of school, verbal was enough.

Question

Took my son out of public school(in person). The bimbo did not give me anything to "sign". I got his stuff from his locker & left. Now a 1&1/2 weeks later they are now calling to want to know where my son is. I talked to the asst. super & the super. Both arrogant. Super says if I don't I will violate truancy laws. Called the TEA and that guy said I didn't have to sign anything. I have my son in a private school now so according to the TEA that's my choice. Anyway what do you think..

Answer 1

Well, if you want to be really sure about what your state's laws are, you can check out http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/default.as...  However, if I've got this straight:  The school says if you dont' sign something, you will get in trouble with the truancy office.  But the truancy office says you don't have to sign anything.  So what power does the school have?  I don't think you should be worried.

From personal experience, my mom has taken my siblings and me out of three different public schools in two different towns and she never signed anything.  She did notify the truancy office that we were homeschooling so that we wouldn't get in trouble if we were out during the day, but that was no problem with them, and the school never said anything about the situation at all.  I don't see what business the school has now -- your son isn't a student there anymore, so what do they care?

Answer 2

I think it's c**p...

But, would go sign the papers just to cover my butt and avoid the truancy thing...

Unfortunately, gotta play the game and jump through the hoops they put in front of you.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm guessing that you are talking about the Texas Education Agency.  If you are, here is a great reference for steps on withdrawing from a public school in order to homeschool.

Taken from THSC Homeschooling FAQ's

The first thing you need to do is obtain a curriculum. It is wise to find a local support group to help you set up your school.  

      Although you are not legally required to register with the school district or receive their permission to home school, you should withdraw you child(ren) from the public school.  Failure to do so, could result in school officials filing charges of thwarting compulsory attendance or failure to attend school against you and/or your child(ren).  Therefore, once you have a curriculum in hand, write the principal of the school your child attends (or will be attending if you are writing while school is not in session) and tell him that you are withdrawing your child from his school in order to teach him at home. Send the letter certified mail return receipt requested to receive proof of delivery. If the school subsequently contacts you and says that you must do more (come to the central office, fill out a form, etc.), do not go to the school. Follow the directives on this link.

      The Texas Education Agency has told the school districts in Texas that such a letter meets the guidelines of cooperation with the school district in compliance with the compulsory attendance laws. (See the commissioner’s letter.) Unless the school district has evidence that your letter of assurance is not true, this should be the end of your contact with the school district over withdrawal.

Answer 4

In TX if you withdraw your child you have to turn all books in and sign papers.  I did my daughter when she was in the 10th grade.  I told them I was going to homeschool her.  If you put him in a private school they should have sent for his school records and the public school should know he is in school somewhere.  Just go sign the papers and ask for his records to be forwarded to his new school. Good luck!

Answer 5

According to HSLDA there is no notification law in TX.

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?St...

Many times supt will "bluff" you to try to scare you into cowering and putting your child back into public school to put more money into the coffers.  Are you a hslda member?  If so, please call them.  They will set the supt straight quickly.  If not, contact a state homeschool agency in your state for some local support and advice.  

Here is a link that shows some local TX homeschool groups.

http://www.hslda.org/orgs/default.asp?St...

Follow some of their links to see if there is a contact number or if they have advice for you.

As a final thought, I would highly suggest HSLDA membership.  Our family has been members since the early 90s, and I love them.  They ALWAYS take care of these types of situations.  And they do it with firmness. I have called them many times for small things like this, scholarship issues, college issues for my kids, even special ed needs.  I love them because they give me piece of mind and do the "dirty work' needed.  It is the best 100+ dollars we spend a year. (I think it is a little over $100 now)

We had similar issues with the local school back when my oldest kids were small.  HSLDA quickly toned down the harassment from the school. And when my youngest son had issues with a scholarship at the local college  Christopher Klicka took care of it personally, then he called me and talked to me about it after he talked to the college dean and financial officers there. I cannot give them enough praise for their work. They have been well worth the price of membership for our family many times over. If I have ever had to choose between buying books or paying HSLDA, I choose membership and buy used books. They have been good to us for over 17yrs.

Answer 6

What is the TEA?

It may not be a law, but it may be a school policy. With a government school, the two are hard to differentiate. Unless you have a lawyer on retainer who specializes in these matters, sign the paper and be done with it.

Answer 7

Since he's in private now he's not truant, is that right?

What did the super say when you told him you were told you don't have to sign anything?

Sounds like the usual nobody knows what they are doing.

Answer 8

It really depends on what state you live in. In Maine, you have to file a letter stating you are homeschooling with the state, and the local school superintent within 10 days of withdrawal from public school.