HOME SCHOOLING - PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL PROGRAMS

The Georgetown School Board, hereinafter referred to as the "Board", acknowledges the provisions for equivalent instruction under Maine law.

It further observes the Legislature's recognition, "that the term "equivalent" is intended to mean the same as the education delivered in the public school system.

In addition it is the intent of the Board to, "Cooperate in the home instruction of any child who resides in the school administrative unit to the degree that the level of cooperation does not interfere with the responsibilities to the student enrolled in Georgetown School's regular programs." Furthermore, participation of students in such programs shall be limited to homeschooled students who demonstrated compliance with all state requirements including Maine Department of Education - Rules for Equivalent Instruction Programs, Chapter 130.

In order to maintain an efficient and orderly school program, the Board directs the administration to develop procedures, as appropriate, regarding the availability of school system resources and services in support of equivalent instruction programs that have been approved by the Commissioner. The procedures shall be in accord with the following provisions.

I . PROVISION OF INFORMATION

At the request of the student or the student's parent/guardian, this school unit shall make available to home-schooled students, in a form determined by the school, information regarding access to public school activities and attendance at Georgetown School.

This information must include :

A. Requirements regarding initial health and developmental screening for motor skills, vision, hearing and immunization; and

B. Criteria for participation of home-schooled students in curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

II. PERMITTED PARTICIPATION

A. Participation in Regular Classes. Home instruction students may enroll in specific day school classes provided that the student's attendance is regular, the class is deemed to be age and grade appropriate, and all prerequisite course requirements are met.

In addition, the following shall also apply.

1. The student or the student's parent/guardian, on the student' s behalf, shall apply in writing to and receive written approval from the Superintendent(or designee).

Approval may not be unreasonably withheld .

2. The student shall demonstrate prior satisfactory academic achievement consistent with school unit policy and procedures applicable to all students.

3. The student shall comply with behavioral, disciplinary, attendance and other classroom rules applicable to all students.

4. Transportation must be provided by the parent/guardian or student.

However, the student may use the same transportation as all other students in the school unit, as long as additional expenses are not incurred .

5. The student shall complete all assignments and tests as required of all students in the same class.

B. Course Auditing. Home instruction students may audit a course(s) provided the following conditions have been met.

1. The student or the student's parent/guardian, on behalf of the student, shall apply in writing to and receive written approval from the Superintendent (or designee) to audit a specific course or courses.

Participation may not be unreasonably withheld.

2. The student agrees to meet established behavioral, disciplinary, attendance , and other classroom rules applicable to all students. If a student fails to comply, the school may terminate participation.

III. SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

Special Education Services will be available to eligible special education students in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

IV. ADMISSION TO REGULAR PROGRAM/PLACEMENT

A student who has been receiving home-school instruction and who seeks admission to the regular school program will be placed in a grade commensurate with the level of the student's academic achievement.

Placement must be guided by the following.

A. Grade level placement is determined by the locally­ designated , appropriate school staff based upon but not limited to such factors as the student's completed curricular and record of achievement, conferencing with the student's parent/guardian and administration of tests, if determined necessary.

B. The final grade level placement decision is based upon this unit' s policy and procedures.

That decision may be appealed to the Superintendent.

V. RE-ADMISSION TO THE SCHOOL PROGRAM

Placement of home-schooled students who wish to be readmitted to the school program will be determined by the Principal who shall consult with members of the professional staff to the extent appropriate. The Principal may direct that a test or tests be administered to help determine grade level.

In addition, the Principal is authorized to collect from parents actual samples of coursework (e.g., homework, examinations, etc.) as he/she deems necessary, in order to make the determination that the requisite academic standards have been met. The decision of the Principal may be appealed to the Superintendent.

VI. USE OF SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY BOOKS

Subject to availability, a student receiving home instruction may use school textbooks, if the number of particular copies are sufficient, and library books owned by Georgetown Elementary School, subject to the following conditions .

A. The use does not disrupt regular student, staff or special program function.

B. The student's sign-out period for a library book is the same as that applicable to regularly enrolled students.

C. The student may sign out a textbook for a period not to exceed one school year.

D. The parent/guardian and student agree to reimburse Georgetown Elementary School for lost, unreturned or damaged library books and textbooks and for consumable supplies used.

VII. 'USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

A student receiving home-school instruction may use school facilities and equipment on the same basis as regularly enrolled students if the following conditions are met.

A. The use does not disrupt regular school activities.

B. The use is approved by the school principal in accordance with established school policy.

C. The use does not create additional expense to Georgetown School Department.

D. The use is directly related to the student' s academic program.

E. The use of potentially hazardous areas, such as shops, laboratories and gymnasiums, is supervised by a qualified employee of Georgetown School Department, approved and assigned by the Superintendent.

VIII. MAINE EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT

If a parent of a student in an equivalent instruction program requests to have the student participate in the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA), such request must be granted.

Participation in such examination must be in compliance with all rules and procedures governing testing conditions in the Georgetown school unit.

IX. ACADEMIC CREDIT

A student receiving home-school instruction must receive academic credit subject to the following requirements.

A. Academic credit for individual courses must be awarded if the student meets required academic standards applicable to all students enrolled in the same course.

B. Academic credit must be awarded for successful completion of alternative instruction opportunities sponsored by the school and available to all students.

X. PARTICIPATION IN CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITES

Students receiving home-school instruction may participate in co­ curricular activities such as field trips, assemblies, and academically-related fairs provided:

A. Prior written permission is obtained from both the parent/guardian and the Principal; and

B. The student has agreed to meet established behavioral, disciplinary, attendance and other rules applicable to all students.

XI. PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Students receiving home-school instruction are eligible to try out for extracurricular activities sponsored by Georgetown Elementary School, provided the student applies in writing if the following requirements are satisfied.

A. The student agrees to abide by equivalent rules of participation as are applicable to regularly enrolled students participating in the activity and provides evidence that the rules of participation are being met.

B. The student complies with the same physical examination, immunization, insurance, age and semester eligibility requirements as regularly enrolled students participating in the activity. All required documentation must be made available upon request by the school unit. The school Principal is authorized to collect from parents/guardians actual samples of coursework (e.g., homework , examinations, etc.), as he/she deems necessary in order to make the determination that the necessary academic standards have been met.

C. The student meets equivalent academic standards as those established for regularly enrolled students participating in the activity and provides evidence that the academic standards are being met.

D. The student abides by the same transportation policy as regularly enrolled students participating in the activity.

XII. STANDARDS FOR PARTICIPATION WHEN TUITION PAYMENT TO ANOTHER UNIT IS REQUIRED

If and when the school unit does not provide instruction for specific grade levels, the following applies for students enrolled in an approved program of equivalent instruction.

A. Class participation. The home-schooled student or the student's parent/guardian shall request authorization from the resident local school unit to apply to another school unit for permission to participate in classes or activities in that other school unit.

B. Tuition payment. Tuition payments for home-schooled student participation in a local school unit, including attendance at an applied technology center or an applied technology region, other than the applicant's resident district, is the responsibility of the home-schooled student, the student's parent/guardian or the student' s resident school administrative unit, in accordance with school unit policy. Participation may not be unreasonably withheld.

C. Participation eligibility. A tuitioned home-schooled student is subject to the rules relating to eligibility for participation in co-curricular or extracurricular activities as may apply at the receiving school unit.

D. Interscholastic activities. A tuitioned home-schooled student attending classes in more that one receiving school unit is not eligible for participation in interscholastic activities at any local school unit.

XIII. APPEALS

Appeals form administration and application of the Board policy are heard by the Board, whose decision is final and binding. Appeals that question the Board policy compliance with legal requirements must be made to the Commissioner, whose decision is final and binding.

Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA Sub Sections 5001-A.3, 5021-5025

Chapter 125.l (Maine Department of Education Rules) Chapter 130 (Maine Department of Education Rules)

Adopted: January 24, 1997