The school system can NOT require you to inform them of your curriculum or lesson plans!!!  But, some school system employees will tell you that you have to comply with their requirements.  They are wrong.  And I believe that most of them genuinely know better. 

Since the school system is motivated by getting money per student, obviously they would prefer to make homeschooling so daunting that parents just decide that it's not worth the hassle.  Do NOT be deceived.  Kentucky is one of the easiest states to homeschool in.  The school system has no right to your child or their information, other than the letter of intent that you file at the beginning of each school year.

You are required by law to keep a record of attendance and scholarship records for your child, but those don't even have to be sent in or anything!  They are merely your records.  If you click on the Legal category in my sidebar, you will find an entry that tells the exact Kentucky Homeschooling law.  I even have a copy of the recommended letter of intent there as well.  You can not trust the school system to always represent the facts about homeschooling accurately.

Yesterday at our support group meeting, a new family was there that pulled their child out of the Trigg County School System this week. They were given forms that asked questions about curriculum and the such and were told that they would be visited monthly to have their paperwork reviewed.  We had not heard of this happening before, but this parent was told by another parent that she "tried" to homeschool, but that when the school system kept showing up at her door she just decided to put him back in.

Please do not be intimidated or stand for this kind of treatment.  The best thing you can do (after prayer) is to register for an HSLDA membership.  HSLDA is the Home School Legal Defense Association and they are experts in homeschooling laws and parental rights.  By becoming a member, you are guaranteed legal advice and defense if it is ever needed.  If you are an HSLDA member and someone shows up at your door, you can simply tell the school representative to talk to your attorney and HSLDA will handle it. 

Even if you are not an HSLDA member, you still have the rights provided by our US Constitution and the Kentucky statutes.  Print the rights and requirements.  Keep them at hand. Do not fill out more paperwork than required by law and do NOT allow school system representatives into your home. 

The Fall 2005 issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine has an article by Claire Novak called What to Do When CPS Comes Knocking.  Lorrie Flem of  Teach Magazine also contributed 7 Basic Principles for When a Social Worker Comes Knocking.  Having those articles alone would be worth it to get a subscription to the magazine.  There are still a limited number of gift bouquets worth almost $300 available for new 2 year subscriptions.  Click here to find out the details and get your own copy! 

Here are the highlights though:

• If someone shows up at your door, do not let them in the door. 
• Ask for a business card to confirm who the person really is.
• Ask what the allegations are.
• If you are an HSLDA member, just call HSLDA and put them on the phone right then!
• Tell them that you will speak to them further, but they need to set up an appointment.
• You do not have to allow anyone into your home with a court order or search warrant.  Know your 4th Amendment Rights!
• If you must meet with them, speak to an attorney and know your legal rights.  Bring a witness or tape recorder to all future contacts and meet in a neutral location.

I don't know anyone personally that has been harrased for homeschooling.  But then again, the school system knows better than to try to get away with these tactics with homeschoolers in Kentucky who know their rights.  Be informed and be confident.