Around New England

Homeschoolers Report Harassment By Worcester Public Schools

October 19, 2018

Homeschooling parents in Worcester say they have been threatened with truancy reports and been asked for unnecessary documentation this year, prompting an apology from a school committee member.

Some say they haven’t gotten approval for educational progress plans months after they submitted them to school officials. At the same time school officials have threatened some parents with being reported for truancy to the state if they don’t have approval from local school officials, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

School officials have also asked for documentation than actually required, parents said.

One mother said she has never had any trouble homeschooling in Worcester for the past 18 years, but that the situation changed this past summer.

The Worcester School Committee asked the school department for a report on the homeschooling problems this fall by November 1.