Educational neglect happens when a parent fails to provide their child with a proper education. This includes not enrolling them in school or homeschool and ignoring their educational needs.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 3.3 million students were homeschooled in the United States as of 2023, representing roughly 6% of the school-age population.
What is educational neglect?
Educational neglect is when a parent doesn’t make sure their child gets a good education. This could mean not enrolling a school-age child in school or homeschool. It also covers allowing too many absences—like 5 or more days a month when the parent knows about it. Not seeking help for a child's learning disorder also counts. It’s about what parents aren’t doing, not what kids choose. This is serious and can lead to child protective services getting involved.
How homeschoolers can be affected
Real homeschooling isn't educational neglect. Families teaching their kids are doing what they should. But sometimes, some parents misuse homeschool laws. Research shows a few cases where parents pulled kids from school just to escape truancy issues, without actually teaching them. Thankfully, this is rare, but it can put a spotlight on all homeschoolers. Some officials might confuse not going to public school with not getting an education. Knowing your state’s rules and keeping good records can help protect you.
Know your rights
CPS can't just investigate a family because they homeschool. Choosing to educate at home is a legal right. Courts have said that not attending traditional school doesn’t mean neglect. If officials contact you, you usually don't have to let them in without a warrant. Still, cooperating can help. Showing your filed homeschool notification often clears things up quickly. Groups like HSLDA offer legal help for those who need it.
The bottom line
If you're actively teaching your kids, educational neglect isn't a real concern. You’re meeting your education responsibilities, just in a different way. The main thing is to know your state's requirements and keep your records in order. If you’ve filed the right notifications and can show your kids are learning, you’ve done your part. Stay organized, understand your rights if questioned, and focus on your child’s education.
