HS Bass Section HS Better image of band members HS will make u laugh WHES Bored in Media Ctr Y12 Bus Poster Contest BPS HCMSPR MS science night project HS Bus Poster Contest
  |  Login
Haralson County Schools will be recognized as a leader in improving student achievement for ALL STUDENTS.
  

Home School Program 

10009/p263750342_1486.jpg



The following are requirements for home study programs:

1.  Parent or guardian must annually submit to the superintendent of the local school district a Declaration of Intent to Utilize a Home Study Program by September 1 or within 30 days after a program is established. The local school superintendent will provide a form upon request for this purpose to be returned to that office.

2.  The declaration must include the names and ages of the students, the address where the program is located, and the dates of the school year.

3.  Parents or guardians may teach only their own children in the home study program provided the teaching parent or guardian possesses at least a high school diploma or a general educational development (GED) equivalency diploma, but the parents or guardians may employ a tutor who holds at least a high school diploma or a general education diploma to teach such children.

4.  The home study program must include, but is not limited to, instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.

5.  The school year must include the equivalent of 180 days of at least 4-1/2 hours of instruction per day unless the child is physically unable to comply with this requirement.

6.  Monthly attendance reports must be sent to the local superintendent at the end of each month. The local school superintendent will, upon request, provide the reporting forms. 

7.  Students in home study programs shall be subject to an appropriate nationally standardized testing program administered in consultation with a person trained in the administration and interpretation of norm referenced tests. The student must be evaluated at least every three years beginning at the end of the third grade. Records of such tests shall be retained.

8.  The instructor shall write an annual progress assessment report in each required subject area for each student. These reports shall be retained for at least three years.

 For additional information contact the local school superintendent, visiting teacher, attendance officer, or  other designee. If further  information is needed, contact the Georgia Department of Education at (404) 656-2800 or
(800) 311-3627.

 
 Questions and Answers
Questions
1)  What are the basic provisions of the compulsory attendance Law?
2)  Who can operate a home study program?
3)  Who is responsible for the enforcement of the law?
4)  According to the law, what is the first step in establishing a home study program?
5)  Are there any qualifications required for the parent who teaches the children?
6)  Can the parents or guardians employ someone else to teach in a home school program?
7)  Does the law address curriculum requirements for home study programs?
8)  Is a home study program to be operated within specified hours?
9)  Does the law specify any promotion requirements, testing or record keeping by the home study program?
10)  Are progress reports or report cards required of home study programs?
11)  Are home study programs required to keep attendance records?
12)  Should officials of the local public school system attempt to monitor the curriculum, the test program, student assessment process, student records or instruction time of home study program?
13)  Are there any requirements in the law pertaining to facilities or health and safety standards?
14)  Are public school systems required by law to furnish for home study programs instructional materials, textbooks or services such as testing?
15)  Are there any state rules, regulations or guidlines concerning the grade placement of students or validation of credits earned by students in home study programs who are entering or returning to the public schools?
16)  Will high school students entering the public schools from home study programs be required to meet all state rules concerning graduation requirements?
17)  What is the process for a home school student entering public school?
18)  What is the penalty for being in violation of this law?
19)  What steps should a local school superintendent take when a violation occurs?
 
Answers
1) QWhat are the basic provisions of the compulsory attendance Law?
A
Every parent, guardian or other person residing within this state having control or charge of any child(ren) between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays must enroll and send such child(ren) to a public school, a private school or a home study program that meets requirements.
2) QWho can operate a home study program?
A
Parents or gurdians may operate a home study program for their chid(ren) only, provided the parents or guardians meet specific requirement of the law.
3) QWho is responsible for the enforcement of the law?
A
It is the duty of the local board of education and each local school superintendent to contact juvenile authorities if the forms are not sent to the superintendent as required by law.
4) QAccording to the law, what is the first step in establishing a home study program?
A
Within 30 days after a program is established and by September 1 annually thereafter, the parents or guardians must file a Declaration of Intent with the local school superintendent. The Declaration must include the names and ages of the students, the address where the [program is located and the dates of the school year. Upon request, the local school superintendent should provide the parent with the proper form.
5) QAre there any qualifications required for the parent who teaches the children?
A
Yes. If the teacher is a parent or guardian, s/he must have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (G.E.D.).
6) QCan the parents or guardians employ someone else to teach in a home school program?
A
Yes, any employed tutor must have a high school diploma or general equialency diploma (G.E.D.).
7) QDoes the law address curriculum requirements for home study programs?
A
Yes. The program must provide a basic academic educational program which includes (but is not limited to) instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science.
8) QIs a home study program to be operated within specified hours?
A
No. The law only requires the program to operate the equivalent of 180 days or at least 4.5 (four and one-half) hours of instruction per day unless the child is physically unable to comply with this requirement.
9) QDoes the law specify any promotion requirements, testing or record keeping by the home study program?
A
The law does not specify any promotion requierments. However, it does stipulate that an "appropriate" nationally standarized testing program be administered in consultation with a person trained in the administration and interpretation of norm-referenced tests.The law further states that the student must be evaluated at least every three years, beginning at the end of third grade. Nationally-normed assessments must be given at the end of 3, 6, 9, and 12. Additionally, the records of such tests must be retained for three years.
10) QAre progress reports or report cards required of home study programs?
A
The law states that the instructor must write an annual progress assessment report in each required subject area for each student and that the reports must be retained for at least three years.
11) QAre home study programs required to keep attendance records?
A
Yes. The law requires that monthly attendance reports be submitted to the local school superintendent at the end of each month. Forms are available from your local school superintendent.
12) QShould officials of the local public school system attempt to monitor the curriculum, the test program, student assessment process, student records or instruction time of home study program?
A
No
13) QAre there any requirements in the law pertaining to facilities or health and safety standards?
A
No.
14) QAre public school systems required by law to furnish for home study programs instructional materials, textbooks or services such as testing?
A
No.
15) QAre there any state rules, regulations or guidlines concerning the grade placement of students or validation of credits earned by students in home study programs who are entering or returning to the public schools?
A
Local boards of education are required to adopt policies and procedures for validating credit for cources taken in a home study program. The procedures at a minimum must include the following:

* Probationary placement and satisfactory performance for one or more grading periods or
* acceptable scores on tests focused on group placement, subject area and/or grade level.
16) QWill high school students entering the public schools from home study programs be required to meet all state rules concerning graduation requirements?
A
Yes. All students graduating from any state-supported Georgia high schools must meet all state requirements in regard to attendance, Carnegie Units and passing scores on the state assessment requirements.
17) QWhat is the process for a home school student entering public school?
A
The public school may either test the student to place at the appropriate level OR the school may accept the school records to place for a probationary period of at least one grading period to see if the student is successful.
18) QWhat is the penalty for being in violation of this law?
A
Any person in violation of this law is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $100 (one hundred dollard).
19) QWhat steps should a local school superintendent take when a violation occurs?
A
The law requires the local school superintendent to notify the parent or guardian of the child and then to report to the juvenile or other court having jurisdiction.
 

Terms Of Use| Privacy Statement
Copyright 2009 by Haralson County Schools