SBESE-Approved Home Study Program

SBESE-Approved Home Study Program

Guidelines and Instructions

John White

State Superintendent of Education

July 2012

LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

1.877.453.2721



State Board of Elementary

and Secondary Education

Ms. Penny Dastugue

President

Member-at-Large

Mr. Jay Guillot

5th BESE District

Mr. Charles E. Roemer

Vice President

6th BESE District

Ms. Holly Boffy

7th BESE District

Mr. James D. Garvey, Jr.

Secretary/Treasurer

1st BESE District

Ms. Carolyn Hill

8th BESE District

Ms. Kira Orange Jones

2nd BESE District

Mr. John L. Bennett

Member-at-Large

Ms. Lottie P. Beebe

3rd BESE District

Ms. Connie Bradford

Member-at-Large

Mr. Walter Lee

4th BESE District

Ms. Catherine Pozniak

Executive Director

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is to ensure equal

access to education and to promote equal excellence throughout the state. The LDOE

is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities and is committed to

ensuring that all of its programs and facilities are accessible to all members of the

public. The LDOE does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national

origin, race, religion, sex, or genetic information. Inquiries concerning the LDOE¡¯s

compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be directed to the Attorney,

LDOE, Office of the General Counsel, P.O. Box 94064, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9064;

877.453.2721 or customerservice@. Information about the federal civil rights

laws that apply to the LDOE and other educational institutions is available on the

website for the Office of Civil Rights, USDOE, at

.

For further information, contact:

Parker Baxter, Executive Director

Office of Parental Options

P.O. Box 94064

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9064

This public document was published at a total cost of $60.00. Two hundred (200) copies of this document were printed

in this fourth printing at a cost of $240.00. This document was published by the Louisiana Department of Education;

Office of Parental Options; P.O. Box 94064, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9064; This material was printed in accordance

with the standards for printing by State Agencies established to R.S. 43:31.

ii

Table of Contents

Memorandum .......................................................................................................................................................... 2

General Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Grade Level ............................................................................................................................................................. 3

Compulsory Attendance .......................................................................................................................................... 3

Curriculum .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Textbooks ................................................................................................................................................................ 4

State Testing and Assessments................................................................................................................................ 4

Admission and Readmission to a School System ................................................................................................... 5

Interscholastic Athletics .......................................................................................................................................... 5

High School Diplomas ............................................................................................................................................ 6

General Equivalency Diploma (GED) .................................................................................................................... 6

Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) ................................................................................................. 7

Education of Students with Exceptionalities ........................................................................................................... 7

Privacy Statement.................................................................................................................................................... 7

Due Process ............................................................................................................................................................. 8

Applying for the SBESE-Approved Program ......................................................................................................... 8

Instructions for New or Initial Application ............................................................................................................. 8

Instructions for Renewal Application ..................................................................................................................... 9

Attachment 1: Local School Board Office Contact Information .......................................................................... 10

Attachment 2: Home Study Program Application Form ....................................................................................... 12

STATE OF LOUISIANA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

POST OFFICE BOX 94064, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70804-9064

Toll Free #: 1-877-453-2721



MEMORANDUM

TO:

Home Study Program Applicants

FROM:

Parker Baxter, Executive Director

Office of Parental Options

DATE:

July 1, 2012

SUBJECT:

SBESE-Approved Home Study Program Information

Enclosed is general information to help parents implement an SBESE-Approved Home Study

Program for their own children. This packet includes a home study program application,

current contact information to local public school systems, and the latest information

pertaining to home study in Louisiana. The Department of Education¡¯s website continues to

provide free resources on the Curriculum and Standards page. The Louisiana Department of

Education does not administer the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS);

however, contact information to the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is

provided on the application as a courtesy.

Return your completed application to

ATTN:

Sue Millican, SBESE-Approved Home Study Program

Louisiana Department of Education

P. O. Box 94064

Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9064

If you have questions or need further information, please contact Ms. Sue Millican at

Sue.Millican@, at (225) 342-4776 or toll-free at the number above.

PB/jb

Enclosures

¡°An Equal Opportunity Employer¡±

2

General Overview

Any child1 eligible by Louisiana law to attend Louisiana elementary or secondary schools shall be

eligible to participate in a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and

Secondary Education (SBESE). SBESE-Approved Home Study Programs should not be confused

with the provisions by a district under the State¡¯s homebound law for eligible students who are

temporarily ill or injured and who can receive instruction from a certified teacher in core content areas

while at home or in the hospital. To apply for homebound services, contact your local school board

office.

In an SBESE-Approved Home Study Program, parents are responsible for all curricula and are required to teach

their child (ren) using a sustained curriculum of a quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the

same grade level. A parent or tutor may be permitted to provide instruction; there are no teacher certification

requirements. All costs directly attributable to the home study program shall be borne by the parents or

guardians. There is no funding available for parents through the State Board or the Department of Education.

Parents are also responsible for the submission of the SBESE-Approved Home Study Program application. First

time submissions require only a copy of the child¡¯s birth certificate. Applications for renewal must include the

appropriate supporting documentation (See Instructions for Renewal). Approval is valid for 12 months from the

date of approval, as noted on the approved application.

Grade Level

Parents are required to designate the grade level at which they plan to teach the student during the upcoming

year. The Department will not make assumptions or judgments about the grade level provided by the parent. In

addition, and based on an opinion from the Attorney General¡¯s Office, retroactive changes to a student¡¯s grade

level are not allowed.

Compulsory Attendance

A child who participates in a home study program plan approved by the SBESE shall be considered in

attendance at a day school.

Every parent, guardian or other person having custody or control of a child between the ages of seven and

eighteen has the primary responsibility of ensuring that the child regularly attends school. Louisiana law

provides for parent, state, and school district responsibilities¡¯ regarding compulsory attendance laws:

?

?

?

R.S. 17:221. A.1-4. School attendance, compulsory ages, and duty of parents:

;

R.S. 17:230. Powers and duties of visiting teachers, or supervisors of child welfare and attendance:

; and

R.S. 17:232.C. and D. Attendance records, principals' and teachers' duty to furnish; penalty for

violation; pupil absence upon own authority prohibited; notice

.

For additional information regarding Compulsory Attendance law, you may review the Louisiana Legislature

website: .

1

See: La.Ch.C. Art. 116 (3) , La. Ch. C. Art. 216, La. Ch.C. Art. 502 (2), La.Ch.C. Art. 603(5) "Child" means a person who has not attained the age of

eighteen years¡±.

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