Curriculum Standards
SBESE-Approved Home Study Program
General
Any child eligible by Louisiana law to attend Louisiana elementary or secondary schools shall be eligible to participate in a State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (SBESE)-Approved Home Study Program. The home study program does not replace the provisions of the State homebound law.
A child who participates in a home study program approved by the SBESE shall be considered in attendance at a day school. Parents are responsible for all curricula and are required to teach their child(ren) using a sustained curriculum of a quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level. A parent or tutor may be permitted to provide instruction in s SBESE-Approved home study plan. All costs directly attributable to the home study program shall be borne by the parents or guardians.
Parents are responsible for submitting a home study application each year they seek approval for a home study program.
|
Parents are accountable for renewing their application each year.
|
SBESE-Approved Home Study Program Guidelines
Parents are responsible for submitting an application to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (SBESE) each year they place their children in a home study program for which they are seeking SBESE approval.
The SBESE-Approved Home Study Program Guidelines provides an application form, guidelines for compliance, and general information including:
- Links to the Department's resources that may be used for curriculum development,
- How to secure Textbooks,
- How to request State Assessments,
- Provisions for Admission or Readmission to a School System,
- Legislation related to the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS),
- Instuctions for NEW or initial application,
- Instructions for RENEWAL application,
- Contact information for Local School Board offices.
After reviewing the SBESE-Approved Home Study Program Guidelines, parents/guardians should complete the application form if they are interested in seeking SBESE approval of a home study program.
2009-2010 SBESE-Approved Home Study Guidelines & Application.pdf
PDF
|
Send your application by CERTIFIED MAIL for receipt verification.
Due to the volume of applications processed, the Department is unable to provide phone verification that your application has been received. If you need verification, please mail your application by way of CERTIFIED MAIL.
|
Relevant Legislation
Pursuant to R.S. 17:221.3, 17:232 (C) and (D), and 17:236, 17:236.1, and 17:236.2, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education provides for an approved home study program. A SBESE-Approved Home Study Program must offer a sustained curriculum of a quality at least equal to that offered by the public schools, consist of an adequate physical plant, and operate a minimum session of not less than one hundred and eighty (180) days.
NOTICE:
TOPS ELIGIBILITY
Students enrolled in a SBESE-Approved Home Study Program may be eligible to apply for the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarships. The Louisiana Department of Education does not administer the TOPS program. Parents should contact the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Aid (LOSFA) at 800-259-5626, extension 1012 for questions concerned with TOPS eligibility.
It should be noted that R.S. 17:3048.1.Q(1)(a) indicates that students in a SBESE-Approved Home Study Program must have successfully completed the twelfth grade and have begun their studies in the approved home study program no later than the conclusion of the tenth grade. You should also note that there is currently no provision for early exit of students from a SBESE-Approved Home Study Program.
|
Registered Nonpublic Schools (Not Seeking State Approval)
If you are operating an educational program or school but do not wish to either participate in a SBESE-Approved Home Study Program or seek state approval as an Approved Nonpublic School, please click the link to find out how to register your nonpublic school not seeking state approval in accordance with R.S. 17:232 (C) and (D).
Registered Nonpublic Schools (Not Seeking State Approval)
|
