The information below specifies the required procedures and form to be used by parents residing in Arlington County to notify the Superintendent of their intention to provide home instruction for their children in lieu of school attendance.
Requirement for Notification
In accordance with Section 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia, the parent who elects to provide home instruction for a school age child in lieu of school attendance must notify the Superintendent (c/o Liaison for Home Instruction) annually no later than August 15 of his/her intent to do so. The parent must also include a description of the curriculum to be followed for the coming year and evidence of having met one of the qualifications prescribed in paragraph II below.
Qualifications Required of Parents
- Hold a high school diploma or a higher credential.
- Meet the qualifications for a teacher as prescribed by the Board of Education.
- Provide a program of study or curriculum which is to be delivered through a correspondence course or a distance learning program or in some other manner.
- Submit a statement which describes why the parent is able to provide an adequate education for the child.
Procedures for Making Notification
The person who meets one of the qualifications described in paragraph II above and who elects to provide home instruction during any school year in lieu of school attendance shall notify the Superintendent (c/o Liaison for Home Instruction) no later than August 15 by forwarding a notice of intent linked here and below, a description of the curriculum, and all required supporting documents to:Ms. Kathleen Bragaw Home Instruction Liaison Arlington Public Schools Department of Instruction Syphax Education Center 2110 Washington Boulevard Arlington, VA 22204 703-228-2476The Superintendent (c/o Liaison for Home Instruction) shall review the information submitted by the parent and inform the parent by letter whether or not the notification complies with Section 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Requirement to Provide Evidence of Achievement
The parent who elects to provide home instruction shall provide the Superintendent (c/o Liaison for Home Instruction) by August 1 following the school year in which the child has received home instruction with: “either (i) evidence that the child has attained a composite score in or above the fourth stanine on any nationally normed standardized achievement test, or an equivalent score on the ACT, SAT, or PSAT test or (ii) an evaluation or assessment which the division superintendent determines to indicate that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress, including but not limited to: (a) an evaluation letter from a person licensed to teach in any state, or a person with a master’s degree or higher in an academic discipline, having knowledge of the child’s academic progress, stating that the child is achieving an adequate level of educational growth and progress; or (b) a report card or transcript from a community college or college, college distance learning program, or home-education correspondence school.In the event that evidence of progress as required in this subsection is not provided by the parent, the home instruction program for that child may be placed on probation for one year. Parents shall file with the division superintendent evidence of their ability to provide an adequate education for their child in compliance with subsection A and a remediation plan for the probationary year which indicates their program is designed to address any educational deficiency. Upon acceptance of such evidence and plan by the division superintendent, the home instruction may continue for one probationary year. If the remediation plan and evidence are not accepted or the required evidence of progress is not provided by August 1 following the probationary year, home instruction shall cease and the parent shall make other arrangements for the education of the child which comply with § 22.1-254. The requirements of subsection C shall not apply to children who are under the age of six as of September 30 of the school year.”§ 22.1-254.1. Declaration of policy; requirements for home instruction of children.
Right to Appeal
A parent aggrieved by a decision of the Superintendent regarding home instruction has a right to appeal within 30 days of the date of the decision to an independent hearing officer appointed from a list maintained by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia. This appeal should be addressed to:Superintendent, Arlington Public Schools 1426 North Quincy Street Arlington, Virginia 22207 Attention: Assistant Superintendent, Department of InstructionThe Arlington Public Schools prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy or marital status. This policy provides equal access to courses and programs, counseling services, physical education and athletics, vocational education, instructional materials, and extracurricular activities. Violations of this policy should be reported to the Director of Administrative Services at (703) 228-6008 or the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel at (703) 228-6110. School age children suspected of having an educational disability can be evaluated by Arlington Public Schools at no expense to the family. If you suspect your child may have a disability, you can refer him/her to a Student Study Committee by contacting the Office of Special Education at (703) 228-6040.
Notice of Intent for 2017-2018
APS Policy on Home Instruction (25-1.18)
APS Policy Implementation Procedures (25-1.18)
