Prince William 8.19.24

UPDATE 10.14.24:

We have good news regarding the apparent privacy breach. As we recently shared, after HEAV communicated with Prince Wiliam County’s attorney with unsatisfactory response, we enlisted Scott Woodruff, HSLDA’s Director of Legal and Legislative Advocacy, to join our efforts to protect the private information of homeschool families as §22.1-254.1(G) requires.

Prince William’s attorney indicated that steps have been taken in response to HEAV and HSLDA’s joint inquiry to ensure homeschool privacy is protected. Their attorney wrote: “PWCS has already taken steps to address [HSLDA] concerns. Specifically, PWCS will no longer be sending bulk emails like the one that went out on July 18, 2024, to homeschooling families using SchoolStatus. In addition, PWCS will notify SchoolStatus in writing that they should delete any residual data they may possess pertaining to these families and provide us with confirmation once that has been done. I will provide [HSLDA] with a copy of that confirmation when it is received.” Read more on this report here.

HEAV is seeking additional legislative action for homeschool families’ protection. Be sure to sign up for HEAV Communications and Legislative Updates so you can stay up-to-date on HEAV’s efforts to protect your homeschool freedom.

What You Should Know:
The home instruction law states: “G. No division superintendent or local school board shall disclose to the Department or any other person or entity outside of the local school division information that is provided by a parent or student to satisfy the requirements of this section or subdivision B 1 of § 22.1-254. However, a division superintendent or local school board may disclose, with the written consent of a student’s parent, such information to the extent provided by the parent’s consent.”

Although Virginia Code protects the private information parents provide on themselves and their children, it is important to be aware that privacy breaches can happen. Therefore, it is prudent to only provide the personal information that is required by the law.

The law does not require parents to use public school district forms or provide personal information beyond their child’s name, address, and age as of September 30.

To assist parents in ensuring their compliance with the compulsory attendance and home instruction laws, we encourage use of HEAV’s Notice of Intent form. It is consistent with the law, case law, and VDOE guidance.

Resources:

• HEAV Resource: HEAV Communications
• HEAV Resource: 7 Steps to Begin Homeschooling In Virginia
• HEAV Resource: HEAV’s Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction Form (free for use)
• HEAV Resource: Birth Dates and Grade Levels On District NOI Forms
• HEAV Resource: Electronic Notice of Intent Forms
• HEAV Resource: Compliance Cautions
• Virginia Code: § 22.1-254, Compulsory Attendance Law
• Virginia Code: § 22.1-254.1, Home Instruction Law
• Case Law: Supreme Court of Virginia, Sosebee v. Franklin County School Board