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Policy IHBGA
The South Portland School Board acknowledges the provisions for equivalent instruction under Maine law. The Board further observes the Legislature’s recognition, “that the term ‘equivalent’ is intended to mean meeting state standards, for alternate or other instruction and is not intended to mean the same as the education delivered in the public school system.”
In addition it is the intent of the Board to “cooperate in the home instruction of any child who resides in the school administrative unit to the degree that the level of cooperation does not interfere with the responsibilities to the students enrolled in South Portland’s regular programs.” Furthermore, participation of students in such programs shall be limited to home-schooled students whose home instruction programs are in compliance with applicable Maine law and Department of Education regulations. In order to maintain an efficient and orderly school program, the Board directs the Superintendent/designee to develop procedures, as appropriate, regarding the availability of school system resources and services in support of equivalent instruction programs that have been approved by the Commissioner. The procedures shall be in accord with the following provisions:
Provision of Information
At the request of the student or the student’s parent/guardian, the South Portland School Department shall make available to home-schooled students, in a form determined by the school, information regarding access to public school activities and attendance in South Portland schools. This information must include:
Requirements regarding initial health and developmental screening for motor skills, vision, hearing and immunization; and
Criteria for participation of home-schooled students in curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
Permitted Participation
Participation in Regular Classes. Home instruction students may enroll in specific day school classes provided that the student’s attendance is regular, the class is deemed age and grade appropriate, and all prerequisite course requirements are met. In addition, the following shall also apply:
The student or the student’s parents/guardian, on the student’s behalf, shall apply in writing to and receive written approval from the Superintendent/designee. Approval may not be unreasonably withheld.
The student shall demonstrate prior satisfactory academic achievement consistent with school district policy and procedures applicable to all students.
The student shall comply with behavioral, disciplinary, attendance and other classroom rules applicable to all students. If a student fails to comply, the school may withhold credit or terminate the student’s participation.
Transportation must be provided by the parent or guardian or student. However, the student may use the same transportation, using the same distance guidelines, as all other students in the school district, as long as additional expenses are not incurred and vehicle capacity is not exceeded.
The student shall complete all assignments and tests as required of all students in the same class.
Course Auditing. Home-schooled students may audit a course(s) provided the following conditions have been met.
The student or the student’s parent/guardian, on behalf of the student, shall apply in writing to and receives written approval from the Superintendent/designee to audit a specific course or courses. Participation may not be unreasonably withheld.
The student agrees to meet established behavioral, disciplinary, attendance and other classroom rules applicable to all students. If a student fails to comply, the school may terminate participation.
Special Education Services
Special Education Services will be available to eligible special education students in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Admission to Regular Program/Placement
A student who has been receiving home-school instruction and who seeks admission to the regular school program will be placed in a grade commensurate with the level of the student’s academic achievement. Placement must be guided by the following:
For students who transfer into school from an educational program that is not required to meet the standards of the system of Learning Results, the principal of the receiving school shall determine the value of the student’s prior educational experience in considering a placement decision.
Appropriate school staff may make recommendations concerning placement based on, but not limited to, factors such as the student’s completed curricula and record of achievement, conferences with the student’s parent or guardian, and administration of tests.
The final grade placement decision shall be made by the principal. The principal’s decision may be appealed to the Superintendent, whose decision shall be final.
Re-Admission to the School Program
Placement of home-schooled students who wish to be readmitted to the school program will be determined by the principal who shall consult with members of the professional staff to the extent appropriate and, as deemed necessary to make a reasonable determination that the requisite academic standards have been met, collect from parents actual samples of coursework (e.g., homework, papers, examinations). The principal may also direct that a test or tests be administered to help determine the student’s progress toward meeting the content standards of the Learning Results for the purpose of determining an appropriate grade level. The decision of the principal may be appealed to the Superintendent.
Use of School Textbooks and Library Books
Subject to availability, a student receiving home instruction may use school textbooks, if the number of particular copies are sufficient, and the library books owned by the South Portland School Department, subject to the following conditions:
The use does not disrupt regular student, staff or special education functions.
The student’s sign-out period for a library book is the same as that applicable to regularly enrolled students. Penalties for late returns shall be the same as for regularly enrolled students.
The student may sign out a textbook for a period not to exceed one school year.
The parent/guardian and student agrees to reimburse the school unit for lost, unreturned or damaged library books and textbooks and for consumable supplies used.
Use of School Facilities and Equipment
A student receiving home-school instruction may use school facilities and equipment on the same basis as regularly enrolled students if the following conditions are met.
The use does not disrupt regular school activities.
The use is approved by the school principal in accordance with established school policy.
The use does not create additional expense to the school district. D. The use is directly related to the student’s academic program.
The use of potentially hazardous areas, such as shops, laboratories and gymnasiums, is supervised by a qualified employee of the school unit, approved and assigned by the Superintendent.
Maine Educational Assessment
If a parent of a student in an equivalent instruction program requests, in accordance with policy IHBG, to have the student participate in the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA), such request must be granted. Participation in such examinations must be in compliance with all rules and procedures governing testing in the South Portland School Department.
Awarding Proficiency
For students who transfer from a home-schooling situation that is not aligned with South Portland High School’s cross-curricular and content area graduation standards, Guidance and the Principal shall evaluate the value of the student’s prior educational experiences and determine to what degree the student has met the school’s graduation requirements. After enrolling in South Portland High School, these students will need to satisfy all assessment, proficiency, and graduation requirements in the appropriate subject areas, as determined by Guidance and the Principal. The decision of the Principal shall be final. The Superintendent will ultimately determine whether these students are eligible to receive a diploma.
Diploma Eligibility
The following standards govern the awarding a diploma to a student receiving home-school instruction who seeks admission or readmission to high school.
A student may earn credit for course work completed through home-school instruction if the principal determines both in advance and upon completion of the course that the course satisfies the proficiency requirements. The principal may direct that the student undergo a test or tests to assist in making a determination relative to the awarding of credit.
Requests for transfer credit for equivalent instruction completed at non-approved private schools, at private schools that elect not to meet requirements under 20-A MRSA § 2901 or through other equivalent instruction programs must be evaluated on the merits of the documentation provided. The principal and guidance staff shall conduct these evaluations on request by the student or the student’s parent/guardian.
For students who transfer into a secondary school from another state or an educational program that is not required to meet the standards of the system of Learning Results, the principal of the receiving school shall determine the value of the prior educational experience toward meeting the standards through the local assessment system.
Students must be enrolled their entire final year prior to graduation and satisfy all other requirements established by the Board.
Awarding of a high school diploma by the South Portland School Department is conditioned upon the student having met the content standards of the applicable content areas of the system of Learning Results as determined by the local assessment system and the student’s demonstration of having satisfied all requirements specified by Board policy.
Participation In Co-Curricular Activities
Students receiving home-school instruction may participate in co-curricular activities such as field trips, assemblies, and academically-related fairs provided:
Prior written permission is obtained from both the parent/guardian and the principal; and
The student has agreed to meet established behavioral, disciplinary, attendance and other rules applicable to all students.
The student may be assessed for the cost of the field trip.
Participation may be limited by space availability.
Participation in Extracurricular Activities
Students receiving home-school instruction are eligible to try out for extracurricular activities sponsored by the South Portland School Department, provided the student applies in writing if the following requirements are satisfied
The student agrees to abide by equivalent rules of participation as are applicable to regularly enrolled students participating in the activity and provides evidence that the rules of participation are being met.
The student complies with the same physical examination, immunization, insurance, age and semester eligibility requirements as regularly enrolled students participating in the activity. All required documentation must be made available upon request by the South Portland School Department. The school principal is authorized to collect from parents actual samples of coursework (e.g., homework, examinations, etc.), as he/she deems necessary in order to make the determination that the necessary academic standards have been met.
The student meets equivalent academic standards as those established for regularly enrolled students participating in the activity and provides evidence at the end of each quarter that the academic standards are being met. The principal will determine that the work completed by the home-schooled student is equivalent. This evaluation must be based on the merits of the documentation provided. Approval may not be unreasonably withheld.
The student abides by the same transportation policy as regularly enrolled students participating in the activity.
Appeals
Appeals will be heard by the Superintendent. The decision of the Superintendent is final and binding. Appeals that question the Board policy compliance with legal requirements must be made to the Commissioner, whose decision is final and binding.
Cross Reference: IHBGB – Special Education Services for Students in Private Schools or Home Schooling
IHBG – Home Schooling
Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA §§ 5001-A (3), 5021-5025
Chapter 127 §§ 5.03, 6.02, 7.02 (Maine Department of Education
Rules)
Ch. 130 (Maine Department of Education Rules)
Adopted: June 8, 1992
Revised: December, 1996
Revised: November 13, 2002
Revised: February 9, 2004
Revised: July 13, 2015
Revised: February 10, 2021
*Please excuse any formatting errors.
