Prince William January 2024

In July of 2023, HEAV contacted the Prince William superintendent’s office regarding several concerns relating to inconsistencies with the law on the district’s notice of intent form. Our concerns were acknowledged, and we were advised the forms would be up for review in October. However, after finding no changes had been made, HEAV followed up and was recently told deadlines for non-pressing issues tend to be fluid, and the new, final deadline is May 1st, 2024.

What You Should Know:

• HEAV believes the district’s NOI form should indicate the following personal data fields as optional: grade level, date of birth, cell phone, and work phone. It does not.
• The law requires parents to provide a “description of the curriculum, limited to a list of subjects to be studied during the coming year.” HEAV believes the district’s NOI form should reflect this specific language, but it leaves the curriculum description requirement subject to interpretation and overcompliance requests.
• The law states parents who notify under option (iii) may provide their child with “a program of study or curriculum which may be delivered through a correspondence course or distance learning program or in any other manner.” The district’s form, however, requires only one type of evidence for option (iii) that confirms enrollment in a correspondence or distance learning school. It does not indicate the Virginia Department of Education suggests parents provide a list of courses for “in any other manner.”
• HEAV encourages parents to use our NOI form that is consistent with the law, case law, and VDOE guidance (see “Reference” bullet below).
• Reference: HEAV Notice Of Intent Form, §22.1-254.1(A)(iii), §22.1-254.1(B), VDOE Home Instruction Handbook, p. 5