IHBG
POLICY FOR HOME INSTRUCTION
Home Schooling
The Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School Committee is committed to the education of all children under its responsibility in an approved manner pursuant to Massachusetts State Laws. (Ch. 76, s. 1; Ch. 71, s. 1, 2, 3, 37)
The Regional Committee believes;
1. in its obligation to enforce the Massachusetts Compulsory Attendance Law Ch.76, s.1., and that the instruction will be equal “in thoroughness and efficiency, and in the progress made therein, as that in the public schools in the same town.”
and further believes;
2. that parents/guardians have responsibility in their children's education as provided in Ch. 76, s.2.
3. in recognizing and respecting the right of parents or guardians to educate their child(ren) at home.
It is the policy of the Ashburnham-Westminster Regional School Committee that home instruction may be provided as determined by statute. In considering plans for home instruction, the criteria stated below will be adhered to:
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court deciding the case Care and Protection of Charles, 399 Mass. 324 (1987) listed factors that may be considered by the Superintendent or School Committee in deciding whether or not to approve a home education proposal.
1. The competency of the parents to teach the children. The academic background, life experiences and/or other qualifications of those who will be instructing the child(ren). General Laws Chapter 71 Section 1 provides that teachers shall be of “competent ability and good morals.” The court noted that parents providing education at home need not be certified, nor must they have a college or advanced academic degrees. However, “the Superintendent or School Committee may properly inquire as to the academic credentials or other qualifications of the parent or parents who will be instructing the children.”
2. Educational materials. An overview of the educational program that is to include subjects and instructional materials. In addition textbooks, workbooks, and other instructional aids (to include but not limited to: travel, community service, field trips and websites) to be used by the children and the lesson plans and teaching manuals to be used by the parents will be reviewed. The Superintendent or School Committee need access to this material “only to determine the type of subjects to be taught and the grade level of Instruction for comparison purposes with the curriculum of the public schools,” but they “may not use this access to dictate the manner in which the subjects will be taught.”
3. The proposed curriculum and the estimated number of hours of instruction in each of the proposed subjects. A statement that the parents will provide the minimum state requirement for structured learning time in the public schools (900 hours- Elementary/Primary Level; 990 hours-Secondary Level). General Laws Chapter 71, Sections 1, 2, and 3 list the subjects of instruction that must be taught in the public schools. (orthography, reading, writing, English language, and grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, the history and Constitution of the United States, the duties of citizenship, health education, physical education and good behavior). In addition, the Superintendent or School Committee “may properly consider the length of the proposed home school year and the hours of instruction in each subject,” noting that state law requires public school to operate for a minimum of 180 days.
4. Methods of Assessment. A mutually agreeable method of assessment which corresponds to the type of educational program being followed, which includes one 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.
e. Any other method agreed to by both the Superintendent and home educator(s).
The policy will not preclude the use of multiple methods of assessment if agreed upon by both parent/guardian and superintendent.
A summary assessment report must be submitted to the Superintendent no later than June 15th of the current school year. Except in cases of extenuating circumstances with documentation provided to the superintendent, failure to submit an evaluation summary will result in a future home school plan not being approved.
5. Renewal of Plan. The school committee requires annual approval by the superintendent of home instruction plans.
Whenever possible, if requested by the parent(s) or guardian(s), school personnel will provide materials such as sample curricula and/or textbooks.
School committee or their designee is encouraged to give all due assistance to home education families in their effort to provide appropriate information concerning their home education program. Parent(s) or guardian(s) are entitled to all due process rights with regards to this policy and with regard to any procedures followed and actions taken. During any resolution process, the parent(s) or guardians(s) may educate their child(ren) at home.
The Regional School Committee will make a good faith effort to notify the district’s current home school families prior to amending the district’s home school policies.
A policy regarding notification of populations that may be affected by policy changes will supersede this notification clause.
Massachusetts Case Law Sources
Care and Protection of Charles, 399 Mass. 324 (1987)
Brunelle v. Lynn Public Schools 428 Mass. 512 (1998)
Care and Protection of Ivan, 48 Mass. App. 87 (1999)
Regulation: IHBG-R1 Home Instruction Participation in Athletics, Co-Curricular Activities and Classes
IHBG-R2 Home Instruction Participation in Interscholastic Athletics
Exhibit: IHBG-E Home Instruction Resolution Process
First Reading: 06/28/05 Second Reading: 07/19/05 ADOPTED: 08/23/05 Revised & Readopted: 4/23/19
Revised & Readopted: 1/7/20