OPPOSE A5796/S4589 — Stop State Control of Homeschool Families
URGENT ACTION NEEDED
NJ Assembly Bill A5796 would impose new government oversight on homeschooling families by requiring annual meetings with public school district officials.
The Center for Garden State Families strongly opposes this bill because it undermines parental rights, educational freedom, and family privacy—without evidence of harm.
Take action now and tell your legislators to OPPOSE A5796.
A5796/S4589 would require homeschooling parents and their children to meet annually with a representative of their resident public school district. This mandate is unnecessary, intrusive, and undermines long-standing parental rights in New Jersey. We have witnessed over the years that the administration of multiple school districts in the state of New Jersey are actually hostile to parental rights and authority. This bill only further pits school district administration against moms and dads.
Homeschool families in our state already demonstrate strong academic outcomes and responsible parenting. There is no evidence of widespread failure or abuse that justifies inserting government oversight into private family education decisions. This bill treats parents as presumptively suspect simply for choosing home education.
A5796/S4589 also creates an unequal standard by singling out homeschool families for oversight that is not imposed on private schools or other nonpublic education models. This sets a dangerous precedent for expanding government control over families and educational freedom.
Parents—not government bureaucrats—are best equipped to make decisions about their children’s education and well-being.
This legislation is in opposition to long-standing Supreme Court decisions on parental rights and authority over their own child's education. This legislation violates the 14th Amendment.
Contact your legislator immediately! Click on the " Take Action " button now.
🧾 Summary of NJ Assembly Bill A5796
Bill Title:
Requires child in home education program and parents to meet annually with representative of resident school district. LegiScan
Status:
Introduced June 16, 2025 and currently pending in the Assembly Education Committee. LegiScan
What the bill would do:
• Mandates that every child in a homeschool (“home education program”) and their parents must meet once per year with a representative of the public school district in which the family resides. New Jersey Legislature
• The meeting is intended as an oversight/“health and wellness” check on the child’s education but does not appear in current text to restrict curriculum choice. HSLDA
Who sponsors it:
Assemblymembers Cody Miller CALL 856-232-6700 and Sterley Stanley (D) CALL 732-875-3833 LegiScan
Why it’s controversial:
Critics argue this bill imposes state oversight on homeschooling families, potentially undermining parental autonomy and treating homeschoolers as if they are suspect until proven compliant. Supporters describe it as a minimal check on child welfare and education benchmarks. HSLDA+1