Policies and Procedures Handbook


Last Updated: 4/20/2005
Garrett County Public Schools
40 South Second Street
Oakland, MD 21550
(301)334-8900

 

HOME INSTRUCTION PROGRAM
(Parents Teaching Children at Home)

 

DEFINITION: Home Instruction (designated home teaching) programs are provided by parents or legal guardians who desire to teach their children at home in lieu of enrolling them in a public or private school.

Board Policy

Requirements

  1. Written Agreement. A parent or guardian who chooses to teach a child at home shall sign a statement on a form prescribed by the State Department of Education
    which:

        A.  Indicates consent to the requirements set forth in Sections II, III, and IV; and
        B.  Shall be submitted to the Department of Pupil Services, Garrett County Public Schools, at least 15 days before the beginning of a home instruction program.

  1. The Home Instruction Program shall

        A. Include regular, thorough instruction of those subjects usually taught in public schools to children of the same age;
        B. Be taught to the child on a regular basis during the school year and shall be of sufficient duration to implement the instruction program;
        C. Provide instruction in English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health and physical education.

  1. Educational Materials. A parent or guardian who chooses to teach a child at home shall maintain a portfolio of materials which:

        A. Demonstrates the parent or guardian is providing regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the areas specified in II.A.B.C., above.
        B. Includes relevant materials, such as instructional materials, reading materials, and examples of the child's writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials,
            and tests.
        C. Shall be reviewed by the local superintendent or the superintendent's designee at the conclusion of each semester of the local school system at such times as
            are mutually agreeable to the local superintendent or designee and the parent or guardian.

  1. A parent or guardian shall agree to permit a representative of the Garrett County Public Schools to review the portfolio of education materials, discuss the instructional program, and observe instruction provided that all of the following requirements are met:

        A. The review is at a time and place mutually agreeable to the representative of the local school system and the parent or guardian;
        B. The purpose of the review is to ensure that the child is receiving regular, thorough instruction as set forth in II, above.

  1. Voluntary Participation in Standardized Testing

    Upon request of a parent or guardian, a child receiving home instruction may participate in the regularly scheduled standardized testing programs that are administered
    in the public school the child is eligible to attend.

  1. Noncompliance with Requirements

        A. Failure to Consent. If a parent or guardian does not agree to the requirements of Sections I, II and III, above, a child shall be enrolled promptly in a public school
            or nonpublic school as defined in COMAR 13A.09.09.02B(4)(a).
        B. Deficiencies in the Program. If a local superintendent determines on the review of the home instruction program or inspection of the portfolio by either the Director
            of Elementary Education or the Director of Secondary Education, as appropriate, that a child is not receiving a regular, thorough instruction program in conformity
            with Sections II and III, the local superintendent shall notify the parent or guardian in writing of any deficiencies in the program. The following apply:

            1. Within 30 days of receipt of notification of any deficiencies, the parent or guardian shall provide evidence to the local superintendent that the deficiency has
                been or is being corrected.
            2. If a local superintendent determines there is not a satisfactory plan to correct a deficiency or if a deficiency is not corrected, a child shall be enrolled promptly
                in a public school or a non-public school as defined in COMAR 13A.09.09.02B(4)(a).

  1. Placement in Public School

    Upon application of a child for admission to a public school from a home instruction program, the school principal shall determine by an evaluation the placement of the
    child and any credits to be awarded toward high school graduation. (Credits shall be awarded according to Garrett County Public Schools (Policy 433.0). The
    evaluation may include administration of standardized tests and examinations and interviews with the child.

  1. Home Instruction Under Supervision of Nonpublic School.

    A parent or guardian may provide instruction for a child at home without compliance with the requirements of this Policy, other than the requirements of Sections I and
    VII, if that instruction is offered through correspondence courses and is under the supervision of a:

    A. School approved by the State Board of Education or operated by a bona fide church organization, and the supervision includes at a minimum all of the following
        components:

        1. Pre-enrollment conferences with parents or guardians,
        2. Textbooks, lesson materials, and other instructional materials or equipment designed to be used independently by the pupil at a site other than a school,
        3. Annual visits by supervisory personnel to the site where the pupil is receiving instruction, and
        4. Conferences with parents or guardians at appropriate intervals during the period of enrollment; or

    B. Nonpublic school with a certificate of approval from the State Public Schools, and the supervision includes at a minimum all of the following components:

        1. Textbooks, lesson materials, and other instructional materials or equipment designed to be used independently by the pupil at a site other than a school; and
        2. Assignment of a school-based teacher to assist the home teacher in using the correspondence courses and to assist the pupil by issuing progress reports,
            marking papers, and grading tests.


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Pupil Services 498.0 AAC
Adopted 10/18/84
Revised 11/12/87