Public schools are making unwarranted contact with homeschool families. Here’s how parents are defending their rights

When Virginia mom Olivia Knapp decided to homeschool her 10-year-old daughter during the spring semester, she did all her research beforehand.

She delivered the necessary paperwork to her public school superintendent’s office, as required by state law. But the superintendent refused to accept it, saying he needed to review the family’s curriculum. He even insisted on scheduling an in-person interview with Knapp in his office.

“It seemed like these officials didn’t have any knowledge on how to do homeschooling,” she said.

Fortunately for Knapp, the Home School Legal Defense Association persuaded the school to drop all objections to Knapp’s paperwork. It was one of 137 reports of unwarranted contacts from public school officials the HSLDA legal team has handled in the last 30 days, its website notes.

“In most school districts, officials have a moderately good understanding of homeschool law,” said Scott Woodruff, HSLDA director of legal and legislative advocacy. “Those who don’t—once they begin making unlawful demands—might ramp up these demands with no end in sight if the family does not put their foot down.”

‘Learning at her own speed’

While the COVID-19 pandemic caused public school enrollment to drop significantly in 2020, those numbers have continued declining even after schools reopened. 

Meanwhile, interest in educational alternatives such as Christian schools and homeschooling have continued at levels higher than before the pandemic. 

Parents who choose to leave public education often cite dissatisfaction with their children’s academic progress. Knapp, for example, decided to homeschool after her daughter fell behind in her studies and suffered from school bullying. 

“My daughter just didn’t get the one-on-one attention that she needed,” she said. 

Since the family’s homeschool journey started, Knapp has seen her daughter thrive academically. 

“She’s learning at her own speed, so she’s able to comprehend more,” she said. “I let her go to the store and pick out books she’s interested in. … She’s talking about becoming an astronaut.” 

HSLDA encourages families like the Knapps to contact its office whenever they face situations threatening their right to homeschool, which is legal in all 50 states. 

“Freedom can be destroyed in one fell swoop or by nibbling around the edges,” Woodruff said. “HSLDA’s policy has always been—not one nibble.” 

Woodruff personally contacted Knapp’s school on her behalf, affirming her paperwork was “a lawful and proper notice of intent to provide instruction.” 

Within four days after HSLDA’s intervention, Knapp received a letter from the school confirming she had successfully completed all her paperwork. 

“He’s so full of good information,” Knapp said of Woodruff. “He gives you that confidence that you thought you lacked, but really it’s just the officials making you feel that way.”