Graduation, Curriculum, Instruction Washington County School District - Adopted 5-9-95; Revised 10-13-98; Revised 11-00
- 1. Purpose
- 2. Policy
- 3. Procedure
- 4. Attachment
To set forth policy and procedure that allows and governs home schooling.
2.1. As stated in Utah Code Ann. 53A-11-102, local school boards may grant to parents the option of instructing their children at home "in the subjects prescribed by the State Board of Education in accordance with the law for the same length of time as minors are required by law to be taught in the district schools."2.2. The State prescribed branches of learning are:
2.2.1 Elementary Schools: Reading, language arts, mathematics, science, music, art, social studies, and physical education.2.2.2 Middle Schools: English (2 units), social studies (1.5 units) including Utah and U.S. History, mathematics (2 units), healthy lifestyles (1.5 units), science (1.5 units), elective (1 unit), Career and Technical Ed. (1.5 units), art and music (1.0 units).
2.2.3 High Schools: Communications (3 units, 2 of which must be English Language Arts); social studies (2 units, one of which must be American History and Government); mathematics (1 unit); science (1 unit); health (1/2 unit); development of an individual education plan by the student (grades 7-12) content which must include a tentative career goal.
2.3. The State Board of Education requires school to be held for 180 days each year. The time requirements are as follows: need to average 4.5 hours per day for grade one (810 hours) and 5.5 hours per day for grades two through twelve (990 hours).
2.4. If a student moves from home school to the public school system in Washington County, he/she is subject to an evaluation by the school to determine the best placement for the child's learning needs. The instruments of evaluation must approximate the same difficulty as those required of the regular public school children.
3.1. 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.3.2. Students enrolled in public school on a part-time basis are not eligible for student activity cards.
3.3. Students exempted from compulsory home school education by the Washington County School District for instruction in home school may be eligible for participation or in extra-curricular activities, provided they earn credit in at least as many of the designated courses as required by the schools in the Washington County School District for participation in that activity. The home school students must also meet the scholastic eligibility standards, residence, and transfer requirements as defined by the Utah High School Activities Association By-Laws.
3.4. 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.
3.5. 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.
3.6. Testing Services: It is highly recommended that parents of students attending home schools have their children participate in the District standardized testing program. Results will be given to the parents.
3.7. Procedures for requesting home school status:
3.7.1. Compulsory Attendance Exemption Certificates can be picked up at the school where the student is enrolled or the School District Office. The information on the front and back sides of the form needs to be completed.3.7.2. The form should be submitted to the School District Office for the Superintendent's signature. A copy will be sent to the school and the parent/guardian.
3.7.3. Parents should, also, contact the principal of the last school attended to determine if matters relating to books and fees have been taken care of.
3.8 Home School Student Participation in Public School Extracurricular Activities (4277-438-4).
3.8.1. Students exempted from compulsory public school education by the local board for instruction in home school may be eligible for participation in extracurricular public school activities provided they are taking courses comparable to traditional school courses or earning credit under options outlined in R277-700-6.3.8.2. The home school student may only participate in extracurricular or school day activities at the school within whose boundaries the student's custodial parent(s) or legal guardian resides.
Attachment - Form 902 Compulsory Attendance Exemption Certificate
Distribution: Board Members, Superintendent, Associations, Assistant Superintendents, Administrators and Principals.
Distribution: Board Members, Superintendent, Associations, Assistant Superintendents, Administrators and Principals.