Why are home school laws not as strict in NC?

Question

what is the punishment for not sending your kid to school?

Answer 1

You are asking two different, unrelated questions.

The laws regarding homeschooling vary from state to state-some states impose more requirements than others.  Studies have actually shown that no matter how free the homeschoolers are, they still average above that of their counterschooled peers.  I actually do not think the state should have any say over homeschooling-they need to concentrate on their own broken system.

As for the punishment for truancy, that also varies from state to state and depends on the severity.  If a child is missing more days than allowed, a warning or simple fine is usually issued.  If it is habitual truancy the courts may get involved.  If the parent is just not sending the child (this is different than homeschooling), then the parent will face neglect charges and jail.

I hope this answers your questions.

Answer 2

I agree with BraxOwl - your questions are unrelated.

Homeschooling laws differ all over the country, ranging from incredibly strict to incredibly lax.  However, homeschool students (on average) tend to outscore their classroom agemates by several percentage points, and the scores don't vary much based on the strictness of the law.  For example, laws in NY and  PA are very strict, and laws in OK and TX are, well, almost non-existent.  However, homeschoolers in both areas tend to out-perform classroom educated kids in both areas of the country.

Truancy, however, has nothing to do with homeschooling.  Homeschooled kids aren't truant, they simply don't attend school in a classroom.  Homeschooling is completely legit and legal in all 50 states, and homeschoolers in each state are required to at least teach several required courses to grade level (though many homeschool families go beyond this requirement).  

Truancy means that a child is not receiving *any* form of education, and if that child falls within mandatory schooling ages for that state, this is an offense punishable by law.   However, homeschool families are not required to teach using the same methods as a classroom, and they are not required to follow the public school scope and sequence - rather, they are required to teach the required *subjects*, however they choose to do that, at an appropriate grade level.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

...Having to homeschool them?

Although that's not much of a PUNISHMENT.

You don't have to actually SEND your kid to school. If you homeschool, school is where ever you want it to be.

Answer 4

Homeschooling in NC is moderately easy.  You can look at the map on HSLDA to find out which states have more or less rules.

The punishment for not sending your kids to school is usually a court date with threats of sending parents to jail or removing kids from home.   Homeschooling, however, is legal.   You do need to be high school graduate or hold a GED to legally homeschool your children.  You do need to send in notice of intent and follow other rules as listed in HSLDA or on the NCDNPE website.

Answer 5

IN GA the homeschoolers have to 'attend' school for 180 days, just  like public school kids. We have to turn in an attendance sheet each month.

We can do the 180 days within a 365 day period (1 year)

It it highly unlikely that a homeschooler can not complete the 180 days in a year.

I assume if a homeschooler did NOT complete the 180 days, that would be considered 'truant'.

The law is lax here, all the parent has to do is fill out the attendance forms to equal 180 days whether the child does school or not.

I do not know any laws about this and I dont' know what would happen to a homeschooler if they did not complete the 180 days in a year.