Homeschool World Forum

I'm moving into a school district at the end of this week that is know to be very strict about truancy. I don't know any homeschool parents in that area yet or I'd ask them this question. Anyhow, how do I handle the truancy officers when I'm out and about with my daughter in the middle of the day? Or if she's out by herself? Is there something I should do besides simply state that I homeschool. I mean, they don't know me so they don't have to take my word. As you can see I'm a little nervous. Any help would be great. Thanks!

In our 12+ years of homeschooling in 2 states, we've only been questioned by a truant officer once. Most of the time everyone who sees us just assumes I have my kids out of school for some reason of my own. (If the kids are on their own, my oldest DD tends to be mistaken for the mom ever since she was about 10.)

On that one occasion, I told the officer that we were homeschoolers and he asked me when was the last time we'd had our portfolio examined and who'd examined it. He concluded from my replies that we were legitimate (and legal) and he went away.

Ramona

When we lived in the great state of Maryland the options were either join an umbrella org (which I did not want to do, being ornery and independent) or keep a portfolio on each child and have it reviewed by a truant officer once a year. Don't ask me what for! I merely complied.

Ramona