9270 - HOME-BASED PRIVATE EDUCATION STUDENTS

The District has established the following requirements and limitations to home-based private education:

Participation in a District School

A student receiving home-based private education may attend up to two (2) courses per semester in the public school classroom provided that the student meets the minimum standards for enrollment in each course as established by the District. Such student may attend no more than two (2) courses per semester, which shall include any courses being taken by the student in another public school district such that the aggregate number of courses taken in a public school district in any semester does not exceed two (2).

Participation in Extra-curricular Activities

A student receiving home-based private education may participate in interscholastic athletics in the District, including WIAA sanctioned interscholastic athletics, on the same basis and to the same extent that the District permits students enrolled in the District to participate. Upon request, the home-based private education program in which the student is enrolled shall provide the District with a written statement that the student meets the Board’s requirements for participation in interscholastic athletics based on age and academic and disciplinary records. No person may provide a false statement.

The District may charge a student who participates in interscholastic athletics or extracurricular activities participation fees, including fees for uniforms, equipment, and musical instruments, on the same basis and to the same extent that it charges these fees to a student who is enrolled in the District.

Academic Assessment

The District strongly recommends that the parent maintain a record of the program of instruction including any assessments of student learning. This documentation will be important if the child enrolls in a District school. Such a record could include:

1. resources and books used in the course;
2. the number of hours devoted to each course of study (800 hours minimum);
3. courses of study completed;
4. a portfolio of work done;
5. examples of tests and test scores;
6. standardized test scores demonstrating the student's ability.

The District shall not administer statewide examinations/assessments to students receiving a home-based private education, including those enrolled in the District for two (2) or fewer classes per day. The District shall not pay for any standardized testing of students not enrolled in the School District.

The District may permit the home-based private education student to take local District achievement/ability tests normally given at each grade by the District. This may be done on a fee basis, as determined at the time of the parent request.  It is the parent's responsibility to make the appropriate arrangements with the school principal.

Enrollment in a District School

If a parent wishes to have his/her child enroll or re-enroll in a District school, s/he must follow normal enrollment guidelines. The conditions and assessment procedures described in AG 5463 - Student Transfer from a Nonpublic School will apply.

In grades 9-12, if the student wishes to enroll, the parent should provide an academic assessment report for each class taken during the child's home-based private education. In addition, the school will need the grades from the last public or private school attended prior to home-based private education. Athletic eligibility will be determined by WIAA guidelines and District athletic policy.

Students are encouraged to enroll at the beginning of a semester.

Course Grades, Credits, and Honors

All home-based private education courses will be given a grade of P/F (Pass/Fail) and transcripts will denote home-based private education with P/F grades and "credits" assigned by the parents.

Recognition of credits or course-work shall be granted when the proper assurance and the student's transcript has been received. The District reserves the right to assess such transfer students in order to determine proper placement and to be assured the student can demonstrate the learnings which are prerequisite to a placement. Although credits from home-based private education courses may be granted and placed on a student's transcript, no grades will be entered on the transcript or considered for class ranking. Only grades awarded for courses taken at the District or at a school whose curriculum meets the requirements stated in 118.165(1) shall be considered in class ranking and for entering on the transcript.

The student's grade-point average will be established only after s/he has completed two (2) consecutive semesters of attendance at the high school. To be eligible for awards such as Valedictorian or Salutatorian, National Honor Society, etc., the student must be enrolled for two (2) consecutive semesters prior to the second semester of the senior year. Academic Excellence Scholarships shall be awarded in accordance with Policy 5451.01 and Policy 5451.02.

If the student wishes to graduate from a District high school, s/he must meet the requirements specified in Board Policy 5460 and the graduation requirements of the high school.

© Neola 2019