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TEACH Handbook
(Updated
07/04 Word Document)
Click here for
the pdf version
of our
2009-2010
Membership Application
Click here for the
Microsoft Word version
of our 2009-2010 Membership Application
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Notification
Checklist
This information is meant to be a sharing of experience ~ it is not legal
advice and the author is not a lawyer.
- If your child has never been to school, there is no need to register your
child, complete any forms other than those for listed here as part of your
notification, or notify the principal or teachers in any way. If your child
is being removed from a public or private school where he/she is already
enrolled, as a courtesy, and so you won't receive phone calls wondering
where your child is, you may wish to call the school principal and calmly
but directly say. . .
| "My child
_______________ will no longer be attending your school. He/She will be
homeschooled. The proper notification has been (will be) sent to the
superintendent on _____/_____/_____(date)." |
- You do not need to fill out any surveys, explain your reasons for
homeschooling, supply birth certificates, social security numbers, medical
records or have a meeting with any school officials.
- It is recommended that you DO NOT ENGAGE IN ANY FURTHER CONVERSATION. If
questions or concerns are raised, repeat the line above and ask that any
questions or concerns be put in writing so that you may respond
appropriately.
- It is NOT NECESSARY AND NOT RECOMMENDED that you appear for any
conferences, allow any home visits or take any course of action other than
what is outlined above and continuing below. Nor do we recommend that you
supply your phone number.
- By law you cannot be denied the right to homeschool the first year as long
as you follow the notification procedure. The school district acts as an
agent of the State to ensure that you follow proper notification procedures.
The districts may NOT add additional requirements. Nor do they have
"approval" powers. They simply note compliance.
- Complete and sign the Home Education Notification Form and attach #6 (a
brief outline of curriculum) and #7 (a list of materials). It is recommended
that. the telephone number NOT be given.
- It is recommended that you DO NOT USE ANY FORMS PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL
DISTRICT. They frequently ask for more information than is
mandated by
law.
You are not required to use any particular form or even a form at all.
- Make COPIES of all these forms and papers and keep them in a safe place.
Treat them as the legal documents that they are.
- Address your letter to the superintendent of the public school district in
which you reside. Mail the original documents to your superintendent by
CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. Keep the receipt with your copies.
By using certified mail, you protect yourself from being accused of never
having sent the proper notification and you establish a recorded date of
receipt by the district.
Should you wish to deliver your notification paperwork in person, be sure to
get a written receipt from the person who accepts your papers. It should state
the date, the person's name, and the fact that he/she accepted notification
paperwork from you. This creates a record of receipt for you.
- You should receive within TWO WEEKS (fourteen calendars days, NOT business
days), a response from the superintendent stating that your documents are in
order and your child is excused from compulsory attendance. Most folks
receive their excuse within 14-20 days though some districts take longer.
- If you have not received a reply within the two weeks (14 calendar days as
per the regulations), understand that this lack of compliance by school
districts is common. If all your paperwork is in order and you have followed
the above steps, you should have a written record of when the district
received your notification. Since the deadline for their response has
passed, you are free to legally and peacefully continue your home education.
Many folks choose to be proactive and call their district. Your district is
legally obligated to respond to your notification and to issue an excuse
from compulsory attendance if all you have complied with the regulations.
Remember, it is EXTREMELY important that you keep copies and send the
material by certified mail. Many problems that occur are due to a lack of
proper record keeping and could be easily cleared up if parents kept these
documents in order.
- Don't forget to clean out your locker the day BEFORE you turn in your
paperwork or call the school principal if possible. Have your notification
into the superintendent before you remove your child from school or as soon
as possible afterwards. Your child does not have to remain in school once
you have submitted your notification. (If your child does have a truancy
problem, be aware that some district will consider the days prior to their
issuing an excuse letter as truant. While this is considered an incorrect
interpretation of the regulations by homeschool leaders across the state, it
is a practice that may weigh in on your decision of when to remove your
child.)
When notifying at the beginning of the school year, be sure to have your
notification in to the district on or before the first day classes commence.
If your child isn't in school, your notification had better be.
Reminder: Do not engage in telephone or face-to-face
conversations with school district personnel regarding your notification,
progress or assessment. Ask that all communications be conducted in writing.
This helps establish a written record and allows you to formulate a response
rather than be put on the spot.
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