.01 Home Instruction Program.

A. Purpose. The purpose of this regulation is to establish a procedure to be used by the superintendent of each local school system to determine if a child participating in a home instruction program is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age.

B. Written Agreement.

(1) A parent or guardian who chooses to provide a home instruction program for his or her child shall initially sign a statement on a form prescribed by the State Department of Education which:

(a) Indicates consent to the requirements set forth in §§C, D, and E of this regulation; and

(b) Shall be submitted to the local superintendent at least 15 days before the beginning of a home instruction program.

(2) Annual Verification. Annually thereafter, before the beginning of the school year, a parent or guardian shall verify the continuation of home schooling for his or her child with the local school superintendent or with the supervising nonpublic school or institution described in Regulation .05 of this chapter.

(3) Change in Status. A parent or guardian shall notify the local school superintendent or the supervising nonpublic school or institution described in Regulation .05 of this chapter if a change occurs in the home school status of a child during the school year.

C. Instruction Program.

(1) The home instruction program shall:

(a) Provide regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age;

(b) Include instruction in English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education; and

(c) Take place on a regular basis during the school year and be of sufficient duration to implement the instruction program.

(2) The home instruction program may include enrollment on a part-time or full-time basis in courses offered by accredited or unaccredited colleges.

D. Educational Materials.

(1) A parent or guardian who chooses to provide a home instruction program for his or her child shall maintain a portfolio of materials which:

(a) Demonstrates the parent or guardian is providing regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the areas specified in §C(1) of this regulation;

(b) Includes relevant materials, such as instructional materials, reading materials, and examples of the child’s writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, and tests; and

(c) Shall be reviewed by the local superintendent or the superintendent's designee at the conclusion of each semester of the local school system at such times as are mutually agreeable to the local superintendent or designee and the parent or guardian.

(2) A parent or guardian who chooses to enroll his or her child under §C(2) of this regulation may elect to provide to the local superintendent or the superintendent’s designee a copy of a report card or transcript from the accredited or unaccredited college at the conclusion of each semester of the accredited or unaccredited college in lieu of a portfolio of materials for the courses in which the child is enrolled under §C(2) of this regulation.

E. A parent or guardian shall agree to permit a representative of a local school system to review the portfolio of educational materials and discuss the instructional program, provided that all of the following requirements are met:

(1) The review is at a time and place mutually agreeable to the representative of the local school system and the parent or guardian;

(2) The purpose of the review is to ensure that the child is receiving regular, thorough instruction as set forth in §C of this regulation; and

(3) There are not more than three reviews during a school year.

F. Additional Requirements. A local school system may not impose additional requirements for home instruction programs other than those in these regulations.