District Policy
4300 - Home Schooling
Graduation, Curriculum, Instruction Washington County School District - Adopted 5-9-95; Revised 10-13-98; Revised 11-00; Revised 2-10-2015; Revised 2-11-20;
1. Purpose:
The Board of Education of Washington County School District has established policy and procedure to release school-aged minors (under the age of 14), from Compulsory Education Requirements (Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-101.5), for the purpose of complying with state law, and in observance with a parent's choice to provide home schooling.
2. Policy:
2.1. In accordance with Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-102 and 53A-2-201, the local school board may grant parents an excusal from having their school-age minor(s) attend school for a variety of reasons; (52A-11-102(2) including, having the school-age minor(s) attend a home school; given that:
2.1.3. Students whose parents do not file the required affidavit will not be exempt from compulsory school attendance and will be expected to adhere to District Policy 2900 Attendance.
2.2. Upon receipt of a signed and notarized affidavit, Washington County School District Student Services Department shall issue within 30 days, a Certificate of Exemption from the Compulsory Education requirements of State Law 53A-11.
3. Provide Assistance:
Upon request of a parent, Washington County School District shall identify the knowledge, skills, and competencies a student is recommended to attain by grade level and subject area to assist the parent in achieving college and career readiness through home schooling.
3.1. Washington County School District principals may, if texts are available, rent texts to students in home schools. Textbook rental fees will be established annually by the School District.
4. Testing Services:
Home school and private school students may participate in the state-wide assessment program offered in the Washington County School District.
4.1. The state-wide assessments are those required by the Utah State Board of Education, which include:
4.1.1. a summative assessment of English Language Arts (grades 3-8), math (3-8), and science (4-8);
4.1.2. an on-line writing assessment in grades 5 and 8;
4.1.3. a high school assessment grades 9 and 10;
4.1.4. an English language proficiency assessment;
4.1.5. a college readiness assessment in grade 11; and
4.1.6. a reading assessment in grade 3.
4.2. The parent or guardian of a home school or private school student may request the following from the school district:
4.2.1. an annual schedule of assessment dates;
4.2.2. the locations at which home school and private school students may be tested; and
4.2.3. any written policies for student participation.
4.3. The parent or legal guardian of a home school or private school student must notify the principal of the boundary school where the student requests to be tested at least three (3) weeks prior to the beginning of the testing window for the particular assessment.
4.3.1. For the college readiness assessment in grade 11, notification must be received prior to January 1.
4.4. In order to be rostered into the testing program, registration information for the home school or private school student must be entered into the district student information system by the Washington County School District.
4.5. Parents or legal guardians may not proctor, monitor, or be present in the room where a state-wide assessment is being administered.
4.6. Personnel from a private school may be present in the testing environment at the school's discretion.
4.7. A home school student may participate in state-wide assessments only if the student has satisfied the home-schooling requirements of Utah State Code.
4.8. A home school student will not be charged any fee for an assessment that is not required of traditionally enrolled students.
4.9. A home school student participates in the state-wide assessments at the school within the school boundary in which the parent or legal guardian resides, and according to the schedule set by that school.
4.10. A private school student must be currently enrolled in a non-public school which:
4.10.1. has a current business license through the Utah Department of Commerce;
4.10.2. is accredited according to USBE rule, and
4.10.3. has, and makes available, a written policy for maintaining and securing student records.
4.11. Private school students whose parents are not Utah residents may participate only by payment in advance of the full cost of individual assessments, as indicated in the current WCSD fee schedule. Costs are based on the estimated time spent by WCSD personnel to input student data, arrange testing, proctor testing, materials, disseminate results, and the cost of assessment.
4.12. A private school student participates in the state-wide assessments at the school designated by the Washington County School District and according to the schedule set by the school.
4.13. In accordance with the individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Child Find Regulations 300.109 and 300.111, the District is responsible to identify, locate and evaluate any student with disabilities from birth to 21 within the district jurisdiction who may be in need of special education and related services.
5. Participation in Extracurricular Activities:
5.1. In accordance with Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-102.6, students exempted from compulsory home school education by the Washington County School District for instruction in home school may be eligible for participation in extracurricular activities at the school within whose attendance boundaries the student's custodial parent or legal guardian resides, or the school from which the student withdrew for the purpose of attending home school.
5.1.1. The home school student shall be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities at the public school consistent with eligibility standards applied to a fully enrolled student, with the exception of school attendance. The parent shall submit an affidavit to the principal indicating that the student meets academic eligibility requirements, by
5.1.1.1. demonstrating mastery in the material in each course or subject being taught,
5.1.1.2. maintaining satisfactory progress toward achievement or promotion, and
5.1.1.3. retaining academic eligibility during the activity season for which the affidavit is submitted
5.1.2. The WCSD Superintendent may appoint a panel of three individuals to verify a home school student's compliance with academic eligibility requirements when requested by a principal.
5.1.3. The home school student must also meet the scholastic eligibility standards, residence, and transfer requirements as defined by the Utah High School Activities Association Bylaws.
6. Placement of a home school student who transfers to a public school in accordance with Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-102.7:
6.1. Enrollment procedures as per District Policy 2920 Student Enrollment shall be followed.
6.2. The public school shall place the student in the grade level, classes or courses that the student's parent/guardian and in consultation with the school administrator determine are appropriate based on the parent/guardian's assessment of the student's academic performance.
6.2.1. Within thirty (30) days of a home school student's placement in a public school grade level, class, or course, either the student's teacher or the student's parent/guardian may request a conference to consider changing the student's placement:
6.2.1.1. if the student's teacher and the student's parent or guardian agree on a placement change, the public school shall place the student in the agreed upon grade level, class or course.
6.2.1.2. if the student's teacher and student's parent/guardian cannot agree on a placement change, the public school shall evaluate the student's subject matter mastery and may change a student's placement in a grade level, class or course.
7. Dual Enrollment Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-102.5
7.1. Students may attend classes in both home and public schools in Washington County. Principals are encouraged to help students enroll in those classes which are extremely difficult for home schools to offer. Students identified as disabled according to the Utah State Board of Education Special Education Rules remain eligible for Special Education and related services provided by the School District.
7.1.1. A student enrolled in a dual enrollment program is considered a student of the district in which the district of attendance for the purposes of state funding to the extent of the student's participation in the district's programs.
8. Graduation Requirements
8.1. Students may transfer credit from a home school to a public high school to meet the graduation requirements of the high school if the home school is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting association. A certification must accompany the credit transcript, which identifies the accrediting association and the expiration date of the current accreditation. On an individual basis, transfer of credit may be allowed without the accreditation, through student testing or other appropriate educational measures as per Washington County School District Policy 4100.
9. Procedures for Requesting Home School Status:
9.1. Compulsory Attendance Exemption Certificates may be picked up at the school where the student is enrolled, at the School District Office Department of Student Services, or on the district website. The information on the form must be completed.
9.1.1. The notarized form must be submitted to the School District Office for the Superintendent's or Director of Student Service's review and signature. A copy will be sent to the student's school.
9.1.2. Within thirty (30) days Washington County School District Student Services Department shall issue a Certificate of Exemption from the Compulsory Education requirements to the parent/guardian.
9.1.3. Parents/guardians are responsible for any outstanding obligations related to materials, books, fees or fines that may exist at the school where their student has been enrolled according to normal check-out/transfer procedures.
Attachment - Form 902 Compulsory Attendance Exemption Certificate
References:
Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-101.5 Compulsory Education
Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-102 Minors Exempt from School Attendance
Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-102.5 Dual Enrollment
Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-102.6 Private School and Home School Students' Participation in Extracurricular Activities in a Public School
Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-102.7 Placement of a Home School Student who Transfers to a Public School
Utah Code Ann. 53A-2-201 Child's School District of Residence - Determination - Responsibility for Providing Educational Services
Utah Code 53A-15-1501 Parental Rights in Education
Utah Administrative Rule R277-604-4 Private School, Home School, Electronic High School, and Bureau of Indian Affairs Student Participation in Public School Achievement Tests