Homeschool Q&A: Jury Duty and Homeschooling
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. We just began homeschooling, and now I’ve received a summons for jury duty. Part of me feels that I should do my civic duty as a patriot and a Christian, but because I’ll lose so much of my teaching time, it’s a source of concern. Is homeschooling something for which I could be exempted?
A. Jury duty is difficult for most people because of employment. For homeschooling parents, difficulties arise relating to educational and child care responsibilities. We understand the age of your children, available support to care for your children, or extenuating homeschool circumstances may create a hardship.
If this is the case, you may appeal your summons by returning the appropriate form with a letter of explanation.
Point 8 of Virginia Code 8.01-341.1 allows an exemption from jury service upon request as stated below:
Any of the following persons may serve on juries in civil and criminal cases but shall be exempt from jury service upon his request:
8. A person who has legal custody of and is necessarily and personally responsible for a child or children 16 years of age or younger requiring continuous care by him during normal court hours, or any mother who is breast-feeding a child,
If your appeal is denied, you may have the opportunity to address the issue again during the interview process before the presiding judge.
Although exemption from jury duty is possible, participation should be looked upon as a privilege and responsibility. Jury duty is a public duty that can be very informative and can set a good example for your children. It also gives you an opportunity to have a direct impact on your community. When making this decision, each parent must follow his own conscience.
Yvonne Bunn @ September 29, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (1)
Notice of Intent and Birth Dates
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. I filed my Notice of Intent and received a letter from the superintendent saying he couldn’t approve my request to homeschool until I give him my child’s birth date. I provided my child’s age. Do I have to give him the birth date?
After filing a Notice of Intent, several parents reported their school superintendents responded by letter or phone saying they would not “approve” their NOI or “consider their request to homeschool” until birth date information was received. Some superintendents insisted on having both birth dates and grade levels. Their response exceeds the requirements of the law in several ways.
First, the homeschool law does not give a superintendent authority to “approve” or “consider a request to homeschool.” When filing a Notice of Intent, parents are NOT asking for approval to homeschool. Neither are they “requesting” permission to homeschool. Parents are NOTIFYING the superintendent that they have complied with one of the four ways the law indicates parents can educate their children at home.
Second, the Virginia homeschool law, §22.1-254.1, DOES NOT require parents to disclose the birth dates or the grade levels of their children in order to homeschool. A name and birth date can be used as identifiable tracking information. Rather than a birth date, a parent can provide a child’s age. This indicates whether or not a child is under compulsory attendance laws. Since the homeschool statute does not require parents to provide birth date or grade information, there is little the superintendent can do, other than ask, to gain compliance with his request. However, the law does not back him up.
Because school superintendents and their designees are accustomed to having birth dates for public school students, some think they must have the same information for homeschooled students as well. To add to the confusion, the example Notice of Intent form found on the Department of Education’s website includes a place for birth dates. Again, according to the homeschool law, this is not required.
Some parents may be intimidated by a phone call or letter from the superintendent’s office and quickly supply the requested information for fear of jeopardizing their right to homeschool. Please consider the implications of providing more information than is legally required. If enough parents comply, we can expect future requests for additional information, such as social security numbers, parent income or employment information, discipline methods, etc.
Laws are made to protect citizens and limit what government can do. While homeschooling parents don’t want to create unnecessary problems or controversy for themselves, they must stand up for their rights. We all want to promote goodwill with those in authority, but goodwill is fostered when both parties live within the parameters set by the law.
NOTE: HEAV helps protect homeschool freedoms by being there to answer these questions. Thank you for your continued support!
Yvonne Bunn @ September 22, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A, Legislative | Comments (0)
Homeschool Q&A: High School Diploma for Homeschoolers
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. How does a homeschooler get a high school diploma?
A. There are several ways homeschoolers can show they have completed their high school education. They can receive a diploma from a correspondence school, a distance learning program, or from their parents. Occasionally a student will get a GED. In most cases, parents create a diploma and give it to their student during a homeschool commencement.
A parent-generated high school diploma is well accepted by institutions of higher education. It is much preferred to a GED. People often think of a student with a GED as a high school dropout. This perception does not reflect the hard work and academic achievements of most homeschooled students.
From grades K-8, parents may choose to keep grades and informal school records for their own reference. At ninth grade, which is considered the beginning of high school, parents begin developing a formal record of courses and grades–a high school transcript.
When your high school student has completed the course of study you have planned, you, the parent, sign and issue his diploma. Parent-generated homeschool diplomas and transcripts are accepted by community colleges, state and private colleges, the military, employers, and a variety of other post secondary educational facilities.
With a homeschool transcript, good SAT scores, and a homeschool diploma, the door is open to higher education.
Home education is widely accepted as a mainstream educational alternative. You might be surprised to know homeschoolers score higher on college boards (SATs) than public or private school students. Colleges recruit homeschoolers because they have good character, they are often leaders on campus, and they complete their college education!
You can find more information about high school and diplomas for homeschoolers here!
Yvonne Bunn @ September 12, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Homeschool Q&A: Homeschooling as a Certified Tutor
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. I am submitting a letter to my district superintendent of my intentions to homeschool under the “certified tutor” option, as opposed to the homeschool statute. Should I include a description of the curriculum I will be using?
A. No, you are not required to include a description of your curriculum if you are complying with the certified tutor option referenced in 22.1-254 (A). You are not under the requirements of the homeschool statute as described in 22.1-254.1.
Remember to include a copy of your current Virginia teacher certification with your letter to the superintendent. In your letter, make sure it is clear that you are complying with the certified tutor statute, 22.1-254(A). After your teaching certificate is verified by the superintendent, it is only necessary to contact the superintendent again after your current teacher certification expires and you obtain a new certification.
Yvonne Bunn @ September 12, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Homeschool Q&A: Homeschooling Kindergarteners for One Year
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. My child is four and will miss the September 30 cut-off date for kindergarten by a few days. If I homeschool him this year, will they take him as a first grader next year in public school?
A. You can definitely homeschool your child and use an appropriate level kindergarten curriculum. There are no homeschool notification requirements because he is not five by September 30.
If you continue to homeschool him, he will always be at the grade level that is best for him. Home education allows a parent to choose an individualized curriculum that is appropriate for a child’s age and maturity. It is parent-controlled education–you decide on the curriculum and schedule that best fits your child’s needs, maturity, and learning style.
However, if you put him in government school after homeschooling him for a year, local school personnel will determine his grade level based on their policy, not his individual needs. There is no guarantee the public school will enroll him in first grade.
Yvonne Bunn @ September 1, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Homeschool Q&A: Hour and Day Requirement
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. Does Virginia have a law or guideline as to how many hours a day a homeschooler needs to be schooled? Also, how many days of the year count for one school year? Is it the same as the 180 for public school?
A. The law says in part in 22.1-254 (A) that parents shall send a child to a public or private school, have a child taught by a tutor, or homeschool him according to 22.1-254.1 (the homeschool statute). The only time requirement given is “…during the period of each year the public schools are in session and for the same number of days and hours per day as public schools.” Interestingly, in recent years, public school days and schedules are not the same throughout Virginia–some districts even have year-round school now.
The homeschool statute, 22.1-254.1 referenced above, does NOT require homeschoolers to keep any records of the days and hours parents teach. Neither does the homeschool law require homeschoolers to turn in forms or attendance records.
With these facts in mind, your homeschool schedule should be reasonable and fit your family’s needs taking into account that a typical public school day has quite a bit of unproductive time and may also include times for study hall, physical education, and library visits.
Yvonne Bunn @ September 1, 2010 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)