Fairfax County

A parent correctly submitted documentation to be recognized as a Virginia Certified Tutor under compulsory attendance law, §22.1-254(A); however, Fairfax incorrectly processed the parent’s submission as a notice of intent to homeschool.

HEAV worked diligently with two superintendent liaisons, providing thorough and detailed information and resources on the law and its implementation,to help ensure Virginia certified tutor submissions would be processed properly. While working with one of the liaisons, HEAV was advised that this was a “new process” for Fairfax, indicating that other certified teachers may also be affected by this error.

What You Should Know:

The Virginia Certified Tutor statute is a filing option in the compulsory attendance law available to Virginia-certified teachers. (Reference: §22.1-254(A))
The law requires approval by the superintendent to operate as a Virginia Certified Tutor.
To become a Virginia Certified Tutor, the individual submits their teaching credentials to the superintendent. Once the superintendent verifies the credentials, they send a letter to the tutor which may be presented to parents who wish to hire them in accordance with §22.1-254(A).
The tutor may teach their own children or other parent’s children under this law.
When a tutor is recertified, they may resubmit their credentials to maintain their tutor status.
Virginia certified tutors are not under the homeschool statute and are not required to comply with the homeschool statute by sending yearly notifications and evidence of progress.