TN Attendance Supervisor’s Conference Non-public and Home Schools April 23, 2015

Home School Coordinators Please update contact info http://www.tn.gov/education/schools/homeschool.shtml

Parent Options to Home School Independent Home School Category IV Satellite School Category III Online School Virtual Public School

Independent Home School “Independent” home school students are those which are registered with the LEA. Home School Law TCA 49-6-3050 Can a parent withdraw to home school at any point in the school year? Yes. The cutoff date for registering to home school has been removed from the home school law. A parent should be allowed to withdraw their child from the public school and register for home school at any point in the school year. If a student is 18 years old, can they withdraw themselves as an independent home school student? No. The home school law is defined as a school “conducted or directed by a parent or parents or a legal guardian or guardians for their own children.”  So students (even if they are 18 years old) would not be allowed to withdraw themselves to home school.  

Independent Home School Independent Home School Requirements: Intent to Home School form (any time within school year) Must be completed each year K – 12 students: Parent must have GED or High School Diploma. Proof of immunization Four hours per day of instruction Attendance record for 180 days Parents may use any curricular program they choose. Parent creates diploma. Diploma recognition - TN state and local government entities must accept. Private entities not required to accept. Can a student who has been home schooled during the kindergarten year enter the first grade in a public school?   It is the department's position that because home schooling in kindergarten is in compliance with the compulsory school attendance law, it is deemed an approved kindergarten program. A student who has been home schooled during the kindergarten year may enter the first grade in a public school if they demonstrate acceptable performance on the district's placement test.

Independent Home School Are homeschool students allowed to take classes in a public school?   Yes, if the LEA allows it. As written in Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-3050, public school facilities may be used by home school participants with the approval of the principal of the school, but this permissive authority shall not be construed to confer any right upon the participants to use public school facilities. If approved, use shall be in accordance with rules established by the local board of education. If a homeschooled student attends a public school part-time or participates in a public school extracurricular activity, does the school or district receive any funding for that student (funding could be federal, state, or local)?   Yes. If a homeschooled student attends a public school part-time, he/she would be included in the district’s student count for the proportionate amount of time he/she was attending.  With a six-period day, the student would count for 1/6 or .167 for each period attended.  Funds would be generated accordingly.  No funding is received for homeschooled students participating in athletics or extra-curricular activities.

Testing Requirements for Independent Home School Students Required to test in grade 5, grade 7, and grade 9. Parent may be present when the home school student is tested in grade five (5). If a home school student in grade 9 is taking a course for which there is a state board approved secure standardized end of course test, that student should be required to take that end of course exam. LEA is not required to test students enrolled in Category IV church-related schools. Writing assessment not required for home school students this year. Since the CRA is not a mandated assessment by policy or statute and diagnostic in nature, it was decided that it would not be required for home school students. Can the school district test home school students outside of the required grades 5, 7, and 9? Yes. In fact, the law requires it if the home school student is one (1) year or more behind the student's appropriate grade level. LEAs should use the “below basic” interpretation as a guide “one year behind” and adopt their own policies Writing – not included for accountability or grades.

Testing Requirements for Independent Home School Students Can a parent of a home school student in grades 5, 7, or 9 choose to provide some other form of assessment rather than TCAP/EOC? Yes, there is an option outlined below in TCA § 49-6-3050 which would allow for a home school student to take a test other than the TCAP or EOC. The test must be standardized, administered by a professional testing service within 30 days of the statewide assessments, and the results provided to the LEA for review. What if the parent refuses to bring the home school student in for TCAP testing? Even though the law says that home school students must be tested, it doesn't provide any recourse for those who simply don't or won't show up.  The district should continue to schedule the parent/student for testing.  If the student does not show up on the day of testing, then mark the student as "absent" on the answer document.  This will serve as evidence that you tried to schedule the student for testing, and the parent simply refused to comply.  Additionally, you may want to remind the parent that if the student continues to be independently home schooled until the point of graduation, it is likely that you may eventually be called upon by potential colleges or employers of the student.  At which time you will have no choice but to say that the student/parent did not comply with home school testing requirements.  If there are additional concerns other than testing, such as a child is not receiving any home school instruction, then you may want to report this concern as a possible educational neglect to the Department of Children's Services.

Category IV Satellite Schools Often referred to as “umbrella” schools Accept and enroll students although the parent teaches the child at home using the satellite school’s specific curriculum and guidelines. Students enrolled in a satellite school are not considered "independent" home school students. Some Category IV satellite schools have an on-site campus school with students attending daily in addition to those students enrolled who are taught at home. Intent to Home School form not required Diploma recognition -TN state and local government entities must accept Church-related school is responsible for notifying LEAs of registered students. Category 4 schools are those schools which are "church-related" and exempt from regulations according to T.C.A. §49-50-801. Look at first column in Non-public spreadsheet. If YES, they allow students to enroll under a satellite program.

Category III Online Schools Intent to Home School form not required No parent education requirements Transcripts and diplomas are accepted in TN Must be regionally accredited by one of the following regional accrediting agencies: AdvancEd - Southern (SACS), North Central (NCA), & Northwest (NWAC) Associations Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and affiliates (e.g., SAIS) National Council of Private School Accreditation (NCPSA)

Acceptable Online School for students in Tennessee When I look for these schools online, I am looking to see if they are accredited by AdvancEd or one of the other regional accrediting agencies listed. If not, then they would not be considered an acceptable distance learning school in TN.

Unacceptable Online School for students in Tennessee

Home School and HOPE Scholarship In order to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, a home school student must be: A Tennessee resident for at least one (1) year AND… Registered with a Tennessee local public school district as an “Independent” home school student… OR B. Enrolled in a Category IV church-related “Umbrella” school that is located in the state of Tennessee… …for one (1) year immediately preceding the completion of the home school program. Same for TN Promise

Home School and HOPE Scholarship A student who is enrolled in a Category III Online School (that is not located within the state of Tennessee) IS NOT eligible for the HOPE Scholarship UNLESS the student is also registered as an independent home school student with a Tennessee local public school system for at least one (1) year prior to completing the independent home school program. For more information concerning the HOPE Scholarship, please contact Robert Biggers at Robert.Biggers@tn.gov or 615-253-7453.

Student Truancy Students in TN who are enrolled in a school that does not meet the requirements for approval are considered truant. Pursuant to TCA §49-6-3006, the responsibility and authority for the enforcement of the compulsory attendance laws is placed with the local board of education and its designated employees and officers. A current listing of approved non-public schools can be found online at: http://www.tn.gov/education/nonpublic/index.shtml LEAs may require the organization or parent who says they are operating the church-related school to provide assurance that they are meeting the requirements of the statute and rule.

Student Transfers Category I, II, and III non-public schools (including on-line): transcripts/credits are accepted (SBE 0520-1-3-.03) no placement test required Independent home school: no academic record other than a parent record or word student must be tested for placement or grade/class determination Category IV & V non-public schools: may or may not have an academic record SBE 0520-7-1-.03 Students may transfer among public schools, or Category I, II, III non-public schools without loss of credit for completed work.

http://www.tennessee.gov/education/schools/non_public_schools.shtml

Always consider lowest category Always consider lowest category. For example, if a school is a category III and IV, then you will consider it a III for student placement determinations. Currently there are 590 non-public schools in TN This number is down (approx. 610 this time last year) 630 two years ago **Breakdown of totals by category?

Categories of Non-public Schools State Board of Education - Chapter 0520-07-02 Non-Public School Approval Process Category I: State Department of Education Approval *Category I-SP: Special Purpose Schools Category II: Church-Related Agency Accreditation Category III: Regional Accreditation Category IV: Church-Related Member Schools Category V: Acknowledged for Operation Category VI: International Schools Affiliated with a TN Public University Cat .1 - criteria and procedures used in the evaluation of such schools are the same as for the public schools. Cat. 1-SP – previously Cat. VII schools - state approved “special purpose” schools which address a student’s education while receiving Pre-K program services or short term medical or transient care. Cat. 2 – must be ”accredited” not just a member of agency, higher level of church-related, held to higher standards Cat. 6 – none at this time in TN

Documentation required for TN Driver License Independent Home School: A letter from the Superintendent’s Office in the county/city of the applicant’s legal residence, confirming that the parent has registered their “Intent to Home School” form with the school system. LEAs provide this letter ONLY for “independent” home school students Non-Public Schools located in TN (with access to Form SF1010): Non-public school completes a Certificate of Compulsory School Attendance (Form SF1010) and the student takes the original, completed form to the Driver Service Center. This form is only valid for thirty (30) days from the date of signing by the school official. On-line Schools located outside of TN (or approved private or church schools in Tennessee without access to the SF1010 forms): Statement from the school principal or headmaster on official school letterhead specifically confirming that the applicant is not truant and is making satisfactory progress in their school. Copies and faxes cannot be accepted. See handout (TN Driver License - Documentation Requirements)

Parent submits documentation to LEA Independent Church Related On-line Authority TCA 49-6-3050 49-5-801 Rules & Regs 0520-2-7 Intent Form Yes No Parent Education K-12 HS Diploma or GED K-8 None 9-12 HS Diploma or GED None Parent submits documentation to LEA School submits documentation to LEA N/A Hours required 4 per day No requirement Spring testing 5, 7, & 9 Diploma Recognized by state and local govt. entities Fully-recognized Diploma Re-entry to public Placement test given Automatic re-entry Questions about withdrawal coding should be directed to Karen Daniels office (Office of Data Quality and Integrity #615-532-1254)

LEA Responsibilities – Home School Notify home schooling parents of their responsibilities under TCA 49-6-3050. Collect and maintain file of students for whom you have an Intent to Home School form. Document that parents have met the educational requirements of TCA 49-6-3050 and provide proof of student immunizations. This should be kept with the Intent to Home School form. Notify home schooling parents of students in grades 5, 7, and 9 their child is required to be tested by the LEA. Examine test results each year and establish a plan of action as described by TCA 49-6-3050 for students who do not meet the required standards. Document attendance records for home school students.

LEA Monthly Reporting Form Please provide TOTALS of students in all columns. September 15 December 15 May 15 How does this benefit your district? The Office of Federal Programs allocates federal dollars to your district based on the numbers you provide. If there is someone else in your district who maintains non-public student numbers, please let me know so that I may be in contact with them as well.

Non-Public School Reporting Form

Funding for Mental Health Facilities Pursuant to Public Chapter 426 (Public Acts of 2011), local boards of education are required to allocate funding in an amount equal to the per pupil state and local funds received by the LEA to state licensed residential mental health facilities on a prorated daily basis for the student’s length of stay, provided the following criteria have been met: The residential mental health facility operates as a Category I (formerly Category VII) special purpose school pursuant to state board rules and regulations; The student admitted to the residential mental health facility is enrolled in the LEA; and The student is admitted to the residential mental health facility under a licensed physician’s written order and such order is based on medical necessity. I have list of mental health facilities.

Non-public & Home School Websites Non-Public Website: http://www.tennessee.gov/education/schools/non_public_schools.shtml Home School Website: http://www.tn.gov/education/schools/homeschool.shtml PLEASE contact me if you are aware of non-public schools in operation within your districts who are not on the list! Also contact me as when non-public schools shut down in your area.

Director of School Choice Marcy Tidwell Director of School Choice Marcy.Tidwell@tn.gov (615) 532-6274 A copy of this power point will be sent to all HS coordinators. Questions?