brunellevlynn

(MA S. Ct. 1995)
 * Brunelle Vs. Lynn Public Schools**

D (school officials) wanted to conduct home visits to observe and evaluate the instructional process of students who were being taught in the home. P (parents) challenged the school district because they claimed the home visits would intrude on their family privacy.
 * Facts:**

1) Are home visits essential to the approval of home education plans? No 2) Do home visits violate the rights of family privacy under the MA constitution? Yes
 * Issues/Answers:**

Legal Basis: Constitution interpretation (MA constitution) and precedents Rationale: With appropriate testing and progress reports there is no need for on site visits in the home by school authorities because the visits would “intrude unnecessarily on familial privacy”
 * Basis/Rationale:**


 * Notes:**
 * The superintendent who testified said he just wanted to make sure that a plan is being implemented, that there is an instructional space available, that there are materials present, that there was a schedule that is followed.
 * This case does not address if the student(s) in question prove to be having unsatisfactory progress towards district standards for home schooling.
 * Schools may inquire about the subjects being taught, competency of teacher (parent), length of school year/ hours being taught, and the textbooks/lessons used in the home.