Requirements

Virginia law has requirements related to homeschooling at the beginning and end of a school year, or during the year if that is when a family starts or stops homeschooling. At the beginning is Notice of Intent (NOI), and at the end is Evidence of Academic Achievement.

Requirement to Provide Notice of Intent

In accordance with Section 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia, the parent who elects to provide instruction at home for a school age child in lieu of school attendance must provide Notice of Intent to 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 four qualifications:

Qualifications Required of Parents/Guardians

1. Hold a high school diploma or a higher credential.
2. Meet the qualifications for a teacher as prescribed by the Board of Education.
3. 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.
4. Submit a statement which describes why the parent is able to provide an adequate education for the child.

Requirement to Provide Evidence of Achievement

Parents/Guardians must provide Arlington Public Schools (APS) with evidence of the student’s achievement and progress. APS Home Instruction Policy states: The parent/guardian 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 Virginia State Law § 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.

Review

The Superintendent (c/o Liaison for Home Instruction, Mary Beth Pelosky) shall review the information submitted by the parent and inform the parent by letter whether or not the notification and/or documentation meets the requirements.

Right to Appeal

A parent/guardian 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 2110 Washington Blvd. Arlington, Virginia 22204 Attention: Chief Officer of Academics. 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.