Home School Policy including MIAA Ruling

Home School Policy: IHBG

HOME EDUCATION

The Quabbin Regional School Committee recognizes and respects the right of parents or guardians to educate their child(ren) at home; however, home education programs do not constitute eligibility for a diploma of graduation from the Quabbin Regional School District.  The School Committee appreciates the personal and cultural uniqueness of each family and desires to ensure that the process by which school officials approve and review home education programs is both lawful and equitable.  Therefore, the School Committee establishes this home education policy.

 Parent(s) or guardian(s) planning to undertake a home education program for their child(ren) between their sixth and sixteenth birthday shall inform the Superintendent by completing the Notice of Intent to Pursue a Program of Home Education  form as approved by the School Committee prior to commencing a home education program.

Home education programs shall be considered in an equitable, objective, and timely manner.  Factors that may be considered by the superintendent or School Committee in deciding whether or not to approve a home education proposal are:

1.  The academic background, life experiences and/or other qualities of those who will be instructing the child(ren), as they relate to the educational program.  Home educators need not be certified teachers nor have any diplomas or degrees.

2.    An overview of the educational program that is to include subjects and instructional materials.  In order to meet the specific educational needs of their child(ren), the parent(s) or guardian(s) may adjust the material to achieve the goals of the educational program without further notification to the superintendent’s office.

3.    A statement concerning instructional hours that will be followed.

4.  A mutually agreeable method of assessment, which corresponds to the type of educational program being followed, and may include one or more of the following:

                 a) Daily logs, journals, progress reports, portfolios or dated work samples

                 b) An independent report made by someone acceptable to both superintendent and                     parent(s) or guardian(s).

                 c) Standardized test results

                 d) Consultation with the superintendent or appropriate school building level administrator

                 e) Any other method agreed to by both superintendent and home educator(s).

 A student being educated in a home-based program within the district shall be informed of, and have access to, public school activities of either a curricular or extra-curricular nature.  Arrangements for such participation are to be in accordance with the generally accepted local and state guidelines governing such programs, i.e., athletics, M.I.A.A. regulations, etc.

  Whenever possible, if requested by the parent(s) or guardian(s), school personnel shall provide materials such as sample curricula and/or textbooks.

Administrators are encouraged to give all due assistance to home education families in their efforts to provide appropriate information concerning their home education program.  Parent(s) or guardian(s) are entitled to all due process rights with regard to this policy and with regard to any procedures followed and actions taken. 

During any resolution process, the students may stay home to participate in home schooling, if extenuating circumstances exist and an agreement is made with the superintendent for excused absences.

The superintendent has the responsibility for the development of the procedures and forms necessary for the implementation of this policy.


LEGAL REF:  M.G.L. 69:ID; 76:1, Care and Protection of Charles

CROSS REF.:         IGE, Co-Curricular and Extra-Curricular Activities

Adopted by Quabbin Regional School District Committee:  October 27, 1995


IHBG-E

MIAA

HOME EDUCATED STUDENTS

5/8/95

Home Educated Students:

Requirements for Participation in Interscholastic Athletic Programs

The MIAA will permit a home-educated student to participate in interscholastic athletics if the following conditions are met:

1.     The local School Committee of a MlAA public school member institution has adopted a policy regarding participation of Home Educated students on the high school teams.

2.     The local building administrator has indicated such on the annual MIAA membership form and included all home schoolers in the annual MIAA enrollment report.

3.   The Educational Plan for the home-educated student has been approved by the public school superintendent or his/her designee.

4.    The building-level administrator has determined appropriate high school grade level placement (9-12) for each home educated student in conjunction with chronological age, and educational plan.

5.     The student resides in the school district that serves the high school and must be living with his/her parents or legal guardians in the family residence.  In multiple school districts, a home-educated student must be assigned to the school of record in the same manner as other students.


6.  The building-level administrator is satisfied that the student meets the guidelines for athletic participation required for all other students as defined in the current Blue Book. This should include, but not be limited to, those rules governing transfers, academic eligibility, age requirements, and the number of consecutive seasons of athletic eligibility beyond grade eight.


7.             MIAA requirements relative to academic eligibility must be reviewed by the building-level administrator at the same times that all other student athletes are to be certified as academically eligible.


8.             If the building-level administrator determines that all eligibility standards detailed above have been met, the building-level administrator may declare the student immediately eligible to participate in interscholastic competition.  The rights, privileges, and responsibilities associated with all other student athletes attending MIAA member schools will apply to home educated students who have satisfied the requirements above.