COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON DEALING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Q. I have decided to homeschool. What should I do if my child is enrolled in public or private school?

A. The first thing you need to do is decide what curriculum you will use for your child and purchase it. In the state of Oklahoma you are not legally required to contact the school district. However, if your child is listed on the school roll, he will be reported as truant if he does not show up for class. Therefore, once you have a curriculum in hand, write the principal of the school your child attends and tell him or her that you are withdrawing your child to teach him or her at home (See sample withdrawal letter). It is preferable to withdraw your child before school begins or at the end of the school year. The next best choice is at the semester break.

Q. I have decided to homeschool. What should I do if my child is NOT enrolled in any school?

A. If your child has not been previously enrolled in public or private school, it is not necessary to contact the school or the State Department of Education. Simply obtain curriculum and get started. It is wise to find a local homeschool support group to help you in this endeavor.

Q. What if the truant officer comes to the door?

A. First and foremost, DO NOT allow him or her to enter your home or to speak to your children. The only legal ways into your home are with your permission or a search warrant. In addition:
* Be polite and friendly. Stay calm.
* Get his or her name and business card.
* Ask what prompted his or her visit or call.
* Tell him or her you are teaching your children now and that he or she will need to make an appointment to meet with you at another time and place.
* Kindly request that he or she address his questions to you in writing.
* A prepared public relations sheet may be enough to satisfy the need to determine if you are legitimately educating at home. Include your school name, Oklahoma state law concerning homeschools, and a synopsis of your educational philosophy. If associated with an organization or school, include a copy of the membership letter.
* After he or she leaves, write down everything that occurred.


Q. May my child participate in classes at the public school?

A. This is dependent upon each local school district's policy. And the policy of each district may change when the administration of that district changes. Call your local school district's office if you need questions of this
nature answered.


Q. May my child participate in extracurricular activities at the public school?

A. Public school activities, athletic and some non-athletic, are governed by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association. The OSSAA is an organization independent of the state government or individual school districts. Public schools may choose to be members of the OSSAA and have events sanctioned by the organization. For a student in grades 7-12 to participate in activities he must attend class at a member school 90% of the time for the semester. Since OSSAA regulates competitions only, it is at the discretion of the school district to allow homeschooled students to participate in practices or non-competitive activities.

Q. May my child go out in public during the school day?

A. Yes. You should not feel the need to hide your children during the day. However, it is strongly recommended that you, as the parent or guardian, accompany them. It is advisable to visit with your neighbors explaining that you are a homeschooling family so that they will not be concerned if your child is outside during school hours. If someone asks you or your child why he or she is not in school, you should simply state that you homeschool. Be aware that if your children are seen during public school hours it will generate questions about truancy, so use discretion in deciding when and where your child may go during that time.

Q. What happens if we want to re-enroll our child in the public school?

A. Children under high school age will usually be given some type of standardized test (or the results of one will be requested) and placed with their age mates unless a need exists for remedial work. Beginning with 9th grade, students begin accumulating credits for high school graduation. High school students re-entering public school will be given a test covering each subject taught beginning in 9th grade. These are usually tests made by the teachers in the school and given to their classes at the conclusion of the year. It is a good idea to borrow the textbooks used by the school and spend a week or two reviewing major concepts before taking the tests. Requirements for passing these tests are dependent upon the standard set by each local school district, but often the student is required to score at the 90th percentile in order to get credit for having taken that class. Credit for the course will be given on a pass/fail basis of test results. No grade for the course will be given. Grade point average will be established on the performance of the student after he begins attending the school.