DISTRICT ASKING FOR NAME of YOUR “SCHOOL DISTRICT” or SCHOOL

The provision of the “school district” is not a requirement of the notification section of the regulations. It is incumbent upon home educators to ascertain the appropriate superintendent to notify of intention to home educate. (OAC 3301-34-03(A) )

“(A) A parent who elects to provide home education shall supply the following information to the superintendent: … ”

Therefore, information regarding “school district ” is provided in several regards: (1) by virtue of the notification being sent to the superintendent of the “school district of residence” and (2) by virtue of the provided information in which the parent states his/her full name and address. Presumably, this information would be sufficient for the superintendent’s office to ascertain the “school district” of the notifying parent.

School district of residence and superintendent are defined in the Definitions section, OAC 3301-34-01:

(D) “School district of residence” means the public school district within which the parent resides.

(E) “Superintendent” means the superintendent of schools of the city, county, or exempted village school district in which the parent resides.

Furthermore, the home education regulations meet state’s mandate of compulsory attendance. School districts may not increase, delete from, or alter the home education regulations. In the Ohio Department of Education Questions and Answers Regarding Home Education, June, 1993 , to all superintendents :

Question 13: Are the requirements in Rule 3301-34-03 just minimum standards that local districts may make more restrictive?

Answer: No. These rules of the State Board carry the same effect as law, and school districts may not add to these requirements.

School districts may not request information from parents, such as provision of the name of the school district or even school which child would be attending if enrolled, which is not required in the home education regulations. A parent may not be denied an excuse from compulsory attendance for failure to provide this UNrequired, additional information.

You may wish to review the discussion on this site regarding Minimal Compliance.

Prepared and Submitted by S.M. Duncan (C), May, 2000

Please do not reprint for publication or distribution without prior permission.

May 1, 2008 | Filed Under Uncategorized