Students in grades K-12 may be home schooled. The decision you make about your child’s primary education are critical.

1. A “qualified instructor” must have a high school diploma or equivalent on file at Putnam County Board of Education.

2. Instructors must complete an initial Notice of Intent to Home School, which is available at the Putnam County Board of Education attendance office, or a letter outlining the plan of instruction being used to educate the student(s) while being home schooled.

3. Due to accreditation requirements by the State Department of Education, students being home schooled in grades 9-12 cannot advance to the next grade level upon their return to public school.

4. Approval of qualified instructor(s) will be granted by the county superintendent, once application is submitted by parent or legal guardian to attendance office.

5. Parent(s) must notify the county in writing if the student is enrolling in public/private school or moving out of county or state.

In order for your child to obtain maximum benefits from home school instruction, the Putnam County Board of Education requests the following.

1. Requests for public school text books must be submitted with application. Please allow ample time for processing and books are given upon availability.

2. Parents must notify their district school counselor to request their child take the State Assessment by December 1st of the school year.

3. Public school assessment requires the student be present for essay/written exam.

4. Home school parents must obtain an annual assessment for your child/children and you must maintain a record of that assessment for three years.

5. Academic assessment of children grades 3, 5, 8 & 11 must be received no later than June 30th of the school year being assessed and results submitted to county superintendent at parents’ cost (if done outside public school).

   • a. Assessment satisfied by taking nationally normed standardized achievement test in reading, language, mathematics, science and social studies.

   • b. Written narrative indicating that a certified teacher has reviewed a portfolio of samples of the child’s work in same areas as above; or

   • c. Alternative academic assessment of proficiency mutually agreed upon by parent and county superintendent.

6. When the annual assessment fails to show acceptable progress as defined under the appropriate assessment option, the person or persons providing home instruction shall initiate a remedial program to foster acceptable progress.

In the event that the child does not achieve acceptable progress as defined under the appropriate assessment.

1. The county board shall notify the parents or legal guardian of the child, in writing, of the services available to assist in the assessment of the child’s eligibility for special education services.

2. If the problem continues for a second consecutive year, the person or persons providing instruction shall submit to the county superintendent additional evidence that appropriate instruction is being provided.

3. County superintendent may seek from circuit court an order denying home instruction upon clear and convincing evidence that student(s) will suffer neglect in the child’s education or other compelling reasons.

4. Any child being home schooled may compete for the opportunity to participate in any special event that is within their grade level. Please complete and return the form to your neighborhood public school if interested. Click here for a list of events for 2019-2020.

Jennifer Campbell, Attendance Director
304-586-0500 ext. 1117

Home School Association
800-736-9843