SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY
Policy for Alternative Education - Home Instruction

Policy #06

            The Medway School Committee commits itself to the education of all children under its responsibility, in an approved manner pursuant to Massachusetts State Laws. (Ch., 76, s. 1; Ch. 71, s. 1, 2, 3, 37) 

            The Committee believes:

1          In its obligation to enforce the Massachusetts Compulsory Attendance Law Ch. 76, s.1. and further believes:

2.         That parents/guardians have a responsibility in their children's education as provided in Ch. 76, s.

            It is the policy of the Medway School Committee that alternative education (home instruction) may be provided as determined by statute.  Administration will consider the following when reviewing requests for home instruction:

1.         Petition for alternative education will be made to the Superintendent in the form of a written plan by May 15 and must include the following:

1. Qualifications of Parents - competence to teach; work experience, transcripts;     references.

2. Hours of instruction - approximate weekly allocation for each subject.

3. Texts - materials; methods to be used.

4. Subjects to be taught - those required by state law; as well as additional content areas.

5. Evaluation procedure - testing; reports of progress.

Guidelines Governing Home Instruction

1.         The plan will be in effect for one year.

2.         If parents/guardians intend to pursue a subsequent year of home instruction, a suitable plan will be submitted to the Superintendent by May 15.

3.         Pre-assessment and post-assessment may be conducted as part of an overall evaluation.  The Superintendent may require that additional appropriate testing be conducted as part of the evaluation plan.  Those tests required by the Superintendent shall be administered by personnel designated by the Superintendent after consultation with the parents/guardians.  The date, time and place of the testing shall be determined by the Superintendent after consultation with the parents/guardians. 

4.         At least one home visitation during the school year will be conducted by the appropriate building principal or other personnel designated by the Superintendent.

5.         Parents/guardians are to keep a weekly log of the activities accomplished.

6.         The Superintendent may require that work samples be submitted for review.

7.         The educational plan is subject to modification as reviewed by school personnel, after consultation with the parents/guardians.

First Reading:  December 17, 1992
Adoption:  January 7, 1993