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621 HOME-SCHOOLING

(9/22/04) A. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to recognize and provide guidelines in accordance with state law for parents who wish to have their children receive education in a home-school that is an alternative to an accredited public or private school. B. General Statement of Policy The Compulsory Attendance Law provides that the parent/guardian of a child is primarily responsible for assuring that the child acquires knowledge and skills that are essential for effective citizenship.  C. Conditions for Home-Schooling The person in charge of a home-school and the school district must provide instruction and meet the requirements specified in statute. D. Immunizations The parent of a home-schooled child shall submit statements, as required by statute, to the superintendent of the school by October 1st of each school year.  E. Textbooks, Instructional Material, Standard Tests Upon formal request as required by law, the school district will provide (loan) textbooks, individualized instructional materials, and standardized tests for use by a home-schooled child as provided in statute and Minnesota Rules.  The school district is not required to expend any amount for this purpose that exceeds the amount it receives, pursuant to statute, for this purpose. F. Pupil Support Services Upon formal request as required by law, the school district will provide pupil support services in the form of health services, counseling and guidance services to a home-schooled child as provided by statute and Minnesota Rules.  The school district is not required to expend an amount for any of these purposes that exceeds the amount it receives, pursuant to statute, for any of these purposes. G. Extracurricular Activities Resident pupils who receive instruction in a home-school (where five or fewer students receive instruction) may fully participate in extracurricular activities of the school district on the same basis as other public school students. H. Shared Time Programs Enrollment in class offerings of the school district. 1. A home-schooled child who is a resident of the school district may enroll in classes in the school district as a shared time pupil on the same basis as other nonpublic school students.  The provisions of this policy shall not be determinative of whether the school district allows the enrollment of any pupils on a shared-time basis. 2. The school district may limit enrollment of shared-time pupils in such classes based on the capacity of a program, class, grade level or school building.  The school board and administration retain sole discretion and control over scheduling of all classes and assignments of shared time pupils to classes. I. Optional Cooperative Arrangements 1. Activities a. Minnesota State High School League sponsored activities (where six or more students receive instruction in the home-school): A home-school which is a member of the Minnesota State High School League may request that the school district enter into a cooperative sponsorship arrangement as provided in Minnesota State High School League Rule 405.00.  The approval of such an arrangement shall be at the discretion of the school board. i. The home-school must become a member of the Minnesota State High School League in accordance with the rules of the Minnesota State High School League. ii. The home-school is solely responsible for any costs or fees associated with its application for and/or subsequent membership in the Minnesota State High School League. iii. The home-school is responsible for any and all costs associated with its participation in a cooperative sponsorship arrangement as well as any school district activity fees associated with the Minnesota State High School League activity. b. Non-Minnesota State High School League activities where six or more students receive instruction in the home-school: A home-schooled child may participate in non-Minnesota State High School League activities offered by the school district upon application and approval from the school board to participate in the activity and the payment of any activity fees associated with the activity.  However, home-schooled students may not be charged higher activity fees than other public school students.  An approval shall be granted at the discretion of the school board. 2. Transportation Services a. The school district may provide nonpublic non-regular transportation services to a home-schooled child. b. The school board of the school district retains sole discretion and control and management of scheduling routes, establishment of the location of bus stops, manner and method of transportation, control and discipline of school children, and any other matter relating to the provision of transportation services. J. Credit for Home-Schooling In order to place students enrolling in ISD #363 at the proper curricular grade level and give credit for work completed, ISD #363 will consider achievement transferred and progress acknowledged on transcripts by consensus of the school counselor and principal. The assessment will typically involve a review of transcripts, interview of the student, and review of supporting tests or materials. The team may include a faculty member of the department(s) where credit is requested.

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