Policy - IHBG

POLICY: IHBG

EFFECTIVE DATE: 2/12/25

CANCELS SHEET DATED: 3/2/16

REVIEWED BY POLCIY COMMITTEE: 1/20/16, 2/12/25

HOME SCHOOLING

Parents/guardians who wish to have their children fulfill the compulsory school attendance law through equivalent education by home schooling must comply with the provisions of 20-A MRSA § 5001-A(3)(A)(4).

            A.        The student’s parent/guardian must provide a written notice of intent to provide home instruction simultaneously to the superintendent of the school unit in which the student resides and to the Commissioner of the Department of Education within ten (10) calendar days of the beginning of home instruction.  The notice must contain the following information:

                        1.         The name, signature and address of the student’s parent/guardian;

                        2.         The name and age of the student;

                        3.         The date the home instruction program will begin;

                        4.         A statement of assurance that indicates the home instruction program will provide at least one hundred     seventy five (175) days annually of instruction and will provide instruction in:  English and language arts,     math, science, social studies, physical education, health education, library skills, fine arts, and, in at least one   (1) grade from grade 6th to 12th, Maine studies.  At one (1) grade level from grade 7th to 12th, the student   will demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers; and

                        5.         A statement of assurance that indicates that the home instruction program will include an annual assessment   of the student’s academic progress that includes at least one (1) of the forms of assessment described in 20-A   MRSA § 5001-A(3)(A)(4)(b) and paragraph B below.

            B.        On or before September 1 of each subsequent year of home instruction, the student’s parent/guardian must file a letter with the superintendent of the administrative unit in which the student resides and to the Commissioner stating the intention to continue providing home instruction and enclose a copy of one of the following forms of annual assessment of the student’s academic progress:                                            

                        1.     A standardized achievement test administered through the administrative unit in which the student resides or through other arrangements approved by the Commissioner.  If the test is administered through the administrative unit in which the student resides, that administration must be agreed to by the superintendent of the administrative unit prior to submission of the written notice of intent to provide home instruction;

                        2.       A test developed by the superintendent of the administrative unit in which the student resides appropriate to   the student’s home instruction program, which must be agreed to by the superintendent of the administrative   unit prior to submission of the written notice of intent to provide home instruction;

                        3.       A review and acceptance of the student’s progress by an identified individual who holds a current Maine   teacher’s certificate;

                        4.       A review and acceptance of the student’s progress based on, but not limited to, a presentation of an educational   portfolio of the student to a local area home schooling support group whose membership for this purpose   includes a currently certified Maine teacher or administrator; or

                        5.       A review and acceptance of the student’s progress by a local advisory board selected by the superintendent of   the administrative unit in which the student resides that includes one administrative unit employee and two   home instruction tutors.  A “home instruction tutor” means the parent/guardian or other person who acts or   will act as a primary teacher of the student in the home instruction program.  This provision must be agreed to   by the superintendent of the administrative unit in which the student resides prior to submission of the written   notice of intent to provide home instruction.

            C.        Dissemination of any information filed under 20-A MRSA § 5001-A(3)(A) (which applies to alternatives to attendance at public day school, including home schooling) is governed by the provisions of 20-A MRSA § 6001 (dissemination of information); the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 USC § 1232g (2002); and the federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, 20 USC § 1401-1487 (2002), except that  “directory information” as defined by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is confidential and is not subject to public disclosure unless the parent/guardian specifically permits disclosure in writing or a judge orders otherwise.  Copies of any information filed under 20-A MRSA § 5001-A(3)(A) must be maintained by the student’s parent/guardian until the home instruction program concludes.  The records must be made available to the Commissioner upon request.

              D.        If the home instruction program is discontinued, students of compulsory school age must be enrolled in a public   school or an equivalent instruction alternative as provided for by law.  The receiving school shall determine the   placement of the student.  At the secondary level, the principal of the receiving school shall determine the value of   the prior educational experience toward meeting the standards of Maine’s system of Learning Results.

The RSU #74 Board accepts no responsibility for the unit in the application, review, approval, or oversight of home instruction programs except as provided for by law or this policy.

Participation by home-schooled students in any RSU #74 school program shall only be permitted as described elsewhere in RSU #74 Board policy.

The superintendent shall maintain a roster of all students eligible to attend school within the school unit who are receiving equivalent instruction, as provided in Department of Education rules.

Legal Reference:      20-A MRSA§ 5001-A

                                    Ch. 125 § 12.02, Ch. 130 (Me. Dept. of Ed. Rules)

Cross Reference:      JEA – Compulsory School Attendance

                                    IHBGA – Home Schooling—Participation in School Programs

                                    IHBGB – Special Education Services for Students in Private Schools or Home Schooling

                                    JGAB – Assignment of Students to Classes: Transfer Students and Home-Schooling Students