HOME EDUCATION INSTRUCTION POLICY
(Home Schooling)
Eligibility
The
Board recognizes the right of parents to pursue home education within
the parameters RSA 193-A and other applicable state laws and
regulations.
Enrollment Procedures
Any
parent commencing a home education program for a child who withdraws
from the school district shall notify the New Hampshire Department of
Education, the superintendent and/or designee, or a non-public school
within five (5) business days of commencing the home education program.
The superintendent’s office will notify the district. Such notification
shall include the names, addresses and birth dates of all children who
are participating in the home education program. If notice is provided
to the superintendent, he/she will acknowledge receipt of notification
within fourteen (14) days.
Annual notification of intent to home education is not required.
If
requested by the parent, the superintendent and/or designee will assist
parents in making such notification and in complying with applicable
statutory requirements.
State
attendance laws and district attendance policies shall apply to all
students within the district until the commissioner of education, the
superintendent, or building administrator of a non-public school
receives notice from a student’s parent/guardian of the commencement of a
home education program, consistent with the requirements of RSA
193-A:5.
Assessment
Home
educated students can participate in state assessments. Parents are
notified of the dates for state assessments and must make arrangements
with the school building administrator.
Re-enrollment into the School District
Parents
deciding to re-enroll their children into the school district following
a period of home education will make arrangements with the building
administrator for an evaluation to determine appropriate placement in
the district’s program. Placements will be consistent with the School
Board policy governing student placements (NHSBA Sample Policy JG) and
are subject to the same appeal process.
There
may be discrepancies between the home schooling level of achievement
and the scope and sequence of the district’s curriculum.
Diplomas
The
School Board will not award certificates or diplomas to a home educated
student. Students must enter the regular school program and complete
all necessary requirements of the district and the state to be eligible
for a certificate or diploma.
Participation in school curricular and co-curricular activities
Regulations
regarding the participation of home educated students in district
curricular and extra-curricular programs are defined in Appendix
IHBG-R. The superintendent is charged with establishing such
regulations. Consistent with RSA 193:1-c, any regulations shall not be
more restrictive for non-public or home educated pupils than they are
for students enrolled in the district.
While
the home-educated student is attending and participating at the public
school for any activity, the student will comply with all of the
school's rules and regulations.
Legal References:
RSA 193-A, Home Education
RSA 193:1, Duty of Parent; Compulsory Attendance by Pupil
RSA 193:1-a, Dual Enrollment
RSA 193:1-c, Access to Public School Programs by Nonpublic or Home Educated Pupils
NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed 315, Procedures for the Operation of Home Education Programs
Appendix IHBG-R
Adopted 2001
Revised 2017