Giles County Religious Exempt Homeschool Families 6/27/2024

ATTENTION RELIGIOUSLY EXEMPT FAMILIES: In Giles County, ALL families, including religiously exempt (RE) families, have received the district’s Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction form that incorrectly lists RE as a home instruction compliance option. Because home instruction and RE are two different laws with different statutory requirements, this communication has resulted in confusion and concern for families.

EAV would like to encourage RE families to exercise caution when receiving communications such as this. If an RE family submits a NOI to homeschool, their compliance status may change from RE to home instruction, and they may be subject to the home instruction law requirements: annual NOI, description of curriculum, and proof of academic progress.

In addition to RE families, those under the Virginia-certified tutor/teacher statute—which differs from option (ii) “teacher of qualifications” of the home instruction statute—may face the same consequences should they complete an NOI form. HEAV recommends that you have a clear understanding of the laws and your current status before sending forms back to a district. We have included resources below to assist you.

Giles County School Board and superintendent expressing our concerns and communicating the negative consequences that may result from this form that is inconsistent with the law for RE and Virginia-certified tutor/teacher families. We will provide an update as soon as we have received a response from the district.