The district shall consider all requests from parents/guardians who wish their children exempt from compulsory public school attendance.
(cf. 5112.1 - Exemptions from Attendance)
Exemptions requested under Education Code 48224 (Instruction by tutor) shall be granted only when the student is receiving instruction from a certificated teacher.
When home-based instruction is provided by a noncredentialed tutor, the student shall be either participating in an independent study program with a supervising credentialed instructor or enrolled in a private school.
When no request is made for exemption for instruction by tutor, or for enrollment in an independent study program, or when an affidavit registering as a private school has not been filed, the home-based student will be classified as truant in accordance with state law and board policy.
(cf. 5113 - Absences and Excuses)
Independent Study
The Superintendent or designee shall encourage parents/guardians desiring to teach their children at home to enroll the student(s) in independent study as provided by the district. Such enrollment allows continued contact and cooperation between the school system and home-based student. A private school affidavit is not required when children are taught at home through Independent Study.
Through independent study, students may be provided with curriculum guides, state-adopted textbooks, workbooks, equipment, suggestions and assistance as needed.
Because socialization is an important benefit of regular school attendance, students in independent study should be offered field trips and other activities which bring home-based students into group settings on a temporary basis. The Superintendent or designee shall decide the number and type of field trips to be offered to the home-based student.
Admission will be determined by independent study procedures and eligibility requirements.
(cf. 6158 - Independent Study)
Private School
Exemptions requested under Education Code 48222 (attendance in private school) are granted when:
1. The owner or administrative head of the private school has filed with the Superintendent of Public Instruction an affidavit containing the information required by Education Code 33190.
2. The private school complies with the provisions of Education Code 48222. This statute includes requirements that:
a. The home-based student is being instructed in a private full-time day school by persons capable of teaching.
b. Instruction is offered in the several branches of study required to be taught in public schools.
The district's attendance officer or designee is authorized to arrange visits to private schools in order to determine whether conditions at the private school are in compliance with the provision of Education Code 48222.
District relations with private schools shall be monitored by the Superintendent or designee. The Superintendent or designee may request private schools to submit a description of the course of study offered by the private school, attendance records, and/or a daily time schedule of subjects and classes.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
33190 Affidavit by agency conducting private school instruction at elementary or high school level; list of schools
48220 Classes of children exempted
48222 Attendance in private school
48224 Instruction by tutor
WOODLAKE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
Policy WOODLAKE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: April 15, 1998 Woodlake, California