Home schooling is an increasingly popular option for many parents in Fairfax County, Virginia. Having the responsibility of educating your child at home can be both an exciting and daunting prospect. Many parents are put off by the complexity of the process and the sometimes overwhelming amount of paperwork that is required.
However, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has created a step-by-step guide to make the process of registering for homeschooling in Fairfax easier. The following article will cover the forms that are necessary to satisfy the legal requirements for homeschooling one’s child in Fairfax County.
What Forms Do I Need for Homeschooling in Fairfax County?
The forms needed to legally homeschool a child in Fairfax County are outlined in detail by the VDOE. The first form needed is a Monthly Attendance Record. This form must be completed and kept each month in order to document that the student is meeting the Virginia Homeschool Statute’s attendance requirements.
The second form is the Virginia Homeschool Course of Study Template. This form must be completed each academic year in order to detail the courses taught, topics covered, objectives, and the expected amount of instruction time for each course.
The third form is the Parent Qualified Teacher Agreement form. This form must be signed by the parent/teacher each year in order to document that the parent is in compliance with the VDOE’s Qualified Teacher requirements. Finally, the fourth form is a Record of High School Assignment Completion form.
This form must be completed and kept each year in order to document the student’s high school level courses and to ensure that all courses taken will meet the VDOE’s high school graduation requirements.
What Are the Attendance Requirements for Homeschooling in Fairfax County?
The Virginia Homeschool Statute requires all homeschooled students to attend 180 days of instruction each year and a minimum of 900 hours of instruction each year. Of those 900 hours, at least six hours must be spent in instruction each day.
The instruction must be provided four or five days each week and must cover the following subjects: English, math, science, history/social studies, health/physical education, art, and music. While this may seem like a lot to keep track of, the Monthly Attendance Record form makes it relatively simple.
How Do I Complete the Monthly Attendance Record Form?
The Monthly Attendance Record form is designed to make logging attendance easy. The form has room for up to four students and can be used to keep track of attendance on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. It also has sections for documenting teacher instruction time and any field trips, special activities, and/or educational outings.
Once the form is completed, the parent/teacher must sign and date the form to verify its accuracy.
What Are the Requirements for the Virginia Homeschool Course of Study Template?
The Virginia Homeschool Course of Study Template must be detailed and include the following information: course name, topics covered, objectives, and the expected amount of instruction time for each course. This form is designed to help parents/teachers create an individualized course of study plan for each student in their homeschool. Each student’s course of study should be developed in accordance with the Virginia Standards of Learning and/or any other standards prescribed by the local school division.
Additionally, the courses taught should cover the following subjects: English, math, science, history/social studies, health/physical education, art, and music.
What Is the Parent Qualified Teacher Agreement Form?
The Parent Qualified Teacher Agreement form is the most important form for homeschooling in Fairfax County. This form details the parent/teacher’s qualifications and must be signed prior to the start of each academic year.
The form must be completed by both the parent/teacher and an official witness. The parent/teacher must sign and date the form to verify that they understand the qualifications and meet the requirements to teach their student(s). The official witness must also sign and date the form to verify that they were present when the parent/teacher signed.
What Is the Record of High School Assignment Completion Form?
The Record of High School Assignment Completion form is necessary for any student enrolled in high school level courses. This form documents the courses taken and must be completed each academic year.
The form must include the following information: the student’s name, the name of each high school course, the course objective, the amount of instructional time for each course, and the teacher’s signature. This form must be kept on file for six years after the student has graduated or withdrawn from the homeschool program.
Conclusion
Home schooling is a popular option for many families in Fairfax County. The VDOE has created a step-by-step guide to help parents/teachers register for homeschooling and to ensure compliance with state regulations.
The most important forms necessary for homeschooling in Fairfax County include the Monthly Attendance Record, the Virginia Homeschool Course of Study Template, the Parent Qualified Teacher Agreement form, and the Record of High School Assignment Completion form. Following these steps can make the process of registering for homeschooling easier and help parents/teachers develop an organized and tailored course of study for their student(s).