Military and State Requirements
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. The military has transferred our family to a foreign country. Should we continue to comply with the homeschool laws in Virginia since we still have a home here?
A. All military families located in the U.S. must comply with the homeschool and compulsory attendance laws in the state in which they reside. If the military has relocated your family to a foreign country, you are no longer under Virginia homeschool laws because you do not reside in Virginia. According to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, you are also NOT under the authority of the foreign country’s compulsory education laws. You simply choose a curriculum and begin homeschooling.
When a military family lives in a foreign country, the Department of Defense (DoD) does not have regulatory authority over your homeschool or any private school a family may choose to use. Military parents are not required to seek approval from the DoD to homeschool. The DoD is friendly toward homeschoolers, and DoD schools often provide free services for military homeschooling families (classes, library, etc.).
NOTE: This does not apply to homeschooling families who move to a foreign country because of business opportunities or because they are missionaries. These families are under the attendance laws of the foreign country in which they reside.
Yvonne Bunn @ July 28, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Notifying 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’m a new homeschooler. As a certified teacher, I’m confused about how to notify. Help!
A. There are two ways to homeschool as a certified tutor or teacher: 1) comply with the certified tutor statute 22.1-254 (A), or 2) comply with option (ii) of the homeschool statute 22.1-245.1 (A).
Option 1: Comply with the Certified Tutor Statute
Under the certified tutor statute 22.1-254 (A), you should send a letter to the superintendent clearly referencing the statute number 22.1-254 (A). With your letter, include a copy of your current teacher certification. The law does not require you to send in your teacher certification each year. Only when your original certification expires do you need to send another letter with your renewed certification. End-of-the-year testing or an evaluation is not required if you file under this statute.
Option 2: Comply with Option (ii) of the Homeschool Statute
The homeschool statute 22.1-254.1 (A) also includes a certified tutor provision. If you check option (ii) on the Notice of Intent form or send a letter stating you intend to homeschool under option (ii), you have complied with the homeschool statute instead of the certified tutor statute. As a certified tutor under the homeschool statute, you must send your NOI with evidence of your teacher certification each year. You must also comply with end-of-year testing or evaluation requirements.
For more information about homeschooling as a certified teacher, see www.heav.org/law/tutor/index.html.
Yvonne Bunn @ July 28, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Notice of Intent & Test Results by August 1?
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. Must I send my child’s test results AND my Notice of Intent by August 1 as stated in a letter from my division superintendent? Has the law changed?
A. There have been no recent date changes in the homeschool statute. Since July 2000, the law has remained the same regarding the August 15 deadline for the Notice of Intent. Although testing options changed several years ago, the August 1 deadline did not change. The homeschool statute is very specific about the deadlines for receiving your child’s evidence of achievement and your Notice of Intent.
According to § 22.1-254.1, if you have complied with the homeschool statute, your student’s test results, an evaluation, or an assessment are due by August 1. The same statute clearly states that the Notice of Intent must be received by August 15. Although you may choose–as a matter of convenience–to send your test results along with your NOI by the August 1 testing deadline, you are NOT required to send your Notice of Intent until August 15.
If you have further questions about the Notice of Intent or sending in test results, please visit our website or give us a call (804-278-9200).
Yvonne Bunn @ July 22, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Notice of Intent: Which Form?
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. Am I required to use the Notice of Intent form I received from my superintendent? It is asking for more information than in the past.
A. The Virginia homeschool statute, §22.1-254.1, does NOT require you to submit a specific Notice of Intent (NOI) form in order to notify your division superintendent that you plan to homeschool. You can use any form or even write a letter to show how you have met the homeschool requirements.
Locally developed NOI forms often include requests for information that the law does not require, such as social security numbers, dates of birth, grade levels, e-mail addresses, ethnicity, the schools the students would attend, etc. While this may not seem terribly intrusive, it sets a precedent for government officials to have information they may want, but do not have a legal right to have.
HEAV provides a Notice of Intent form that includes only the information the law requires. You can also find more NOI information in our Notice of Intent FAQ.
When you submit a NOI form of your choice or if your write a letter, you may want to send it “return/receipt requested.” The law requires you to notify your superintendent by August 15, and the “return/receipt” is the signed proof that you have notified them and they have received your notification.
If you have any further questions, please give us a call at 804-278-9200.
Yvonne Bunn @ July 22, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (2)