Lancaster County 6/5/24

HEAV has worked with the division superintendent and homeschool liaison regarding website text that misrepresented a notice of intent to homeschool as an “application.” Additionally, we discussed the law and VDOE guidance in relation to NOI options (iii) and (iv).

We had a very pleasant and productive conversation with the superintendent and liaison. We are pleased to report all concerns have been resolved. HEAV is thankful to Lancaster for its prompt and courteous response and resolution of these concerns.

What You Should Know:

• The home instruction law states, “Any parent who elects to provide home instruction…shall…notify the division superintendent…of his intention to so instruct the child…” The law does not require parents to submit an “application.”
• The home instruction law allows all parents the opportunity to choose homeschooling for their children. Parents who possess a GED can notify the superintendent under either option (iii) or option (iv) in the home instruction law.
• As it relates to NOI option (iii), there are no Virginia statutory or regulatory requirements that govern a parent’s selection of a correspondence school or a distance learning program. As stated in the VDOE’s Home Instruction Handbook, “…no judgment of the materials is required of the school division superintendent.”

Resources:
HEAV Resource: HEAV Communications
HEAV Resource: Law Flowchart
HEAV Resource: Notifying With A GED
HEAV Resource: Homeschooling Mid-Year: Starting Immediately
HEAV Resource: “Approval” of NOI
Compulsory Attendance Law: §22.1-254
Home Instruction Law: §22.1-254.1
VDOE Resource: VDOE 2023 Home Instruction Handbook