maybe because lori states the children are being homeschooled all LE needs to do is ask which state and then maybe that state has some laws about the records that must be kept. i think homeschooled children are required to take tests every so often to see how they are progressing. it might be , ok, you say the kids are homeschooled now the law is that, blah, blah. maybe there is some federal law about that which would be the most effective way to go at this point.
Oh! THIS is what I forgot to address, because this is stuff I am very familiar with!
Homeschooling laws vary greatly from state to state. (I don’t know if I’m allowed to link to an organization site that describes the requirements in a fairly easy-to-understand way. I can add it if that is permitted.)
Hawaii has what is considered a moderate level of requirements: submit a notice of intent, make sure your curriculum is in compliance with the statute, keep records, and submit annual progress reports.
Arizona has a low level: file affidavit of intent, provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate, keep records, and file a letter of termination when you STOP homeschooling. (This applies even when moving from one county to another.)
Texas is at the almost-nothing level, at least officially: Teach the required subjects, use a written curriculum. Homeschools are considered private schools in Texas. (Anecdotally, I’ve heard they can be kind of a pain in Texas... with regard to school districts trying to claim more power than they actually have by law, but I’ve never personally lived or homeschooled there.)
Idaho... well, Idaho is a homeschooler’s dream, if you want to choose the best methods for your particular child(ren) and family. Idaho requires no notice, one just chooses an instructor and teaches the required subjects. If the child has already been enrolled in school, one simply withdraws them and begins homeschooling.
This is so *normal* to me as a homeschool parent (my youngest is a senior this year) that I thought of it momentarily and then forgot to mention it as I read along. I immediately assumed way back that the reason the last date anyone was sure JJ had been seen was because Lori had withdrawn him from school to “homeschool”.
***my soapbox*** I’m a pretty strong advocate for homeschooling, and cases like this irritate the heck out of me. It makes homeschoolers look bad, and the general public will jump all over it and blame homeschooling, because it “allows” parents to get away with stuff... but really, public schools do nothing to prevent it, either.
I really hate that parents like this hide behind homeschooling, because it puts the freedom and flexibility of homeschoolers at risk - and for most of us in the modern era, THAT is what we seek, the adaptable education and lifestyle, even though the media would like to pretend we’re all homeschooling for “religious” reasons.
