Policy 2114 - Home-Based, Part Time, or Off-Campus Students

Home-based instruction may be provided by parents for their own children only. The parent shall file a declaration of intent to home school with the superintendent within two (2) weeks of the beginning of any semester. Decisions relating to philosophy or doctrine, selection of books, teaching materials and curriculum methods, timing, place and provision for evaluation of home-based instruction shall be the responsibility of the parent. Failure of a parent to comply with the standards specified in the law will be a violation of the compulsory attendance law. 

Home-based instruction shall include instructional and related educational activities as required by law, including the basic skills of occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and the development of an appreciation of art and music. The instruction shall be equivalent to the total annual program hours per grade level as established for public schools. 

The laws of the state of Washington recognize home-based instruction as a legitimate method of education. Students requesting to be granted graduation credit for specific home-study courses may do so as outlined in policy 2410 "Promotion, Retention, Graduation". However, no student will graduate from Richland schools as a result of knowledge or skills acquired exclusively through home-based instruction. 

Elementary students returning to the public schools from home-based instructional programs shall be given standardized achievement tests by the district to determine their proper grade level placement The appropriate grade and course level placement of middle school and high school students will be determined by the building principal after consultation with the parents and review of the student's records. 

Part-time students may enroll and receive ancillary services, provided that the students are otherwise eligible for full time enrollment in the district and such courses are not available in the student's private school. Part-time status also includes: any student, not enrolled in a private school, who is receiving home-based instruction and taking courses at or receiving ancillary services from the district or both, or any student involved in an approved work approved program. 

A student may be enrolled in an off-campus learning experience provided that such experiences have been approved by the superintendent or designee. 

The superintendent shall establish procedures defining the district's responsibilities for home-based and off-campus instruction. 

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