First Substitute S.B. 39

Senator Aaron Osmond proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
HOME SCHOOL AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Aaron Osmond

             5     
House Sponsor: John Knotwell

             6      Cosponsor:Mark B. Madsen              7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill modifies provisions pertaining to home school students.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    modifies procedures for excusing from public school attendance a school-age minor
             14      who attends a home school;
             15          .    eliminates instructional requirements for a school-age minor who attends a home
             16      school;
             17          .    specifies procedures for the placement of a home school student who transfers to a
             18      public school; and
             19          .    makes technical and conforming amendments.
             20      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             21          None
             22      Other Special Clauses:
             23          None
             24      Utah Code Sections Affected:


             25      AMENDS:
             26           53A-11-102 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 335
             27      ENACTS:
             28           53A-11-102.7 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             29     
             30      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             31          Section 1. Section 53A-11-102 is amended to read:
             32           53A-11-102. Minors exempt from school attendance.
             33          (1) (a) A [school-age minor may be excused] local school board or charter school
             34      governing board may excuse a school-age minor from attendance [by the local board of
             35      education and a parent exempted from application of Subsections 53A-11-101.5 (2), (5), and
             36      (6)] for any of the following reasons:
             37          (i) a school-age minor over age 16 may receive a partial release from school to enter
             38      employment, or attend a trade school, if the school-age minor has completed the eighth grade;
             39      or
             40          (ii) on an annual basis, a school-age minor may receive a full release from attending a
             41      public, regularly established private, or part-time school or class if:
             42          (A) the school-age minor has already completed the work required for graduation from
             43      high school, or has demonstrated mastery of required skills and competencies in accordance
             44      with Subsection 53A-15-102 (1);
             45          (B) the school-age minor is in a physical or mental condition, certified by a competent
             46      physician if required by the [district board] local school board or charter school governing
             47      board, which renders attendance inexpedient and impracticable;
             48          (C) proper influences and adequate opportunities for education are provided in
             49      connection with the school-age minor's employment; or
             50          (D) the district superintendent or charter school governing board has determined that a
             51      school-age minor over the age of 16 is unable to profit from attendance at school because of
             52      inability or a continuing negative attitude toward school regulations and discipline.
             53          (b) [Minors] A school-age minor receiving a partial release from school under
             54      Subsection (1)(a)(i) [are] is required to attend:
             55          (i) school [part-time] part time as prescribed by the local school board or charter school


             56      governing board; or
             57          (ii) a home school [part-time] part time.
             58          (c) In each case, evidence of reasons for granting an exemption under Subsection (1)
             59      must be sufficient to satisfy the local school board or charter school governing board.
             60          (d) A local school board or charter school governing board that excuses a school-age
             61      minor from attendance as provided by this Subsection (1) shall issue a certificate that the minor
             62      is excused from attendance during the time specified on the certificate.
             63          (2) (a) [On an annual basis,] A local school board shall excuse a school-age minor
             64      [shall be excused] from attendance [by a local board of education and a parent exempted from
             65      application of Subsections 53A-11-101.5 (2), (5), and (6)], if the school-age minor's parent files
             66      a signed and notarized affidavit with the school-age minor's school district of residence, as
             67      defined in Section 53A-2-201 , that:
             68          (i) the school-age minor will attend a home school [and receive instruction as required
             69      by Subsection (2)(b).]; and
             70          [(b) Each minor who attends a home school shall receive instruction:]
             71          [(i) in the subjects the State Board of Education requires to be taught in public schools
             72      in accordance with the law; and]
             73          [(ii) for the same length of time as minors are required by law to receive instruction in
             74      public schools, as provided by rules of the State Board of Education.]
             75          (ii) the parent assumes sole responsibility for the education of the school-age minor,
             76      except to the extent the school-age minor is dual enrolled in a public school as provided in
             77      Section 53A-11-102.5 .
             78          (b) A signed and notarized affidavit filed in accordance with Subsection (2)(a) shall
             79      remain in effect as long as:
             80          (i) the school-age minor attends a home school; and
             81          (ii) the school district where the affidavit was filed remains the school-age minor's
             82      district of residence.
             83          (c) [Subject to the requirements of Subsection (2)(b), a] A parent of a school-age minor
             84      who attends a home school is solely responsible for:
             85          (i) the selection of instructional materials and textbooks;
             86          (ii) the time, place, and method of instruction[,]; and


             87          (iii) the evaluation of the home school instruction.
             88          (d) A local school board may not:
             89          (i) require a parent of a school-age minor who attends a home school to maintain
             90      records of instruction or attendance;
             91          (ii) require credentials for individuals providing home school instruction;
             92          (iii) inspect home school facilities; or
             93          (iv) require standardized or other testing of home school students.
             94          [(3) (a) Boards excusing minors]
             95          (e) Upon the request of a parent, a local school board shall identify the knowledge,
             96      skills, and competencies a student is recommended to attain by grade level and subject area to
             97      assist the parent in achieving college and career readiness through home schooling.
             98          (f) A local school board that excuses a school-age minor from attendance as provided
             99      by [Subsections (1) and (2) shall] this Subsection (2) shall annually issue a certificate stating
             100      that the school-age minor is excused from attendance [during the time specified on the
             101      certificate] for the specified school year.
             102          [(b)] (g) A local school board shall issue a certificate excusing a school-age minor from
             103      attendance:
             104          (i) within 30 days after receipt of a signed and notarized affidavit filed by the
             105      school-age minor's parent pursuant to Subsection (2)[.]; and
             106          (ii) on or before August 1 each year thereafter unless:
             107          (A) the school-age minor enrolls in a school within the school district;
             108          (B) the school-age minor's parent or guardian notifies the school district that the
             109      school-age minor no longer attends a home school; or
             110          (C) the school-age minor's parent or guardian notifies the school district that the
             111      school-age minor's school district of residence has changed.
             112          (3) A parent who files a signed and notarized affidavit as provided in Subsection (2)(a)
             113      is exempt from the application of Subsections 53A-11-101.5 (2), (5), and (6).
             114          (4) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit or discourage voluntary
             115      cooperation, resource sharing, or testing opportunities between a school or school district and a
             116      parent or guardian of a minor attending a home school.
             117          Section 2. Section 53A-11-102.7 is enacted to read:


             118          53A-11-102.7. Placement of a home school student who transfers to a public
             119      school.
             120          (1) For the purposes of this section, "home school student" means a student who
             121      attends a home school pursuant to Section 53A-11-102 .
             122          (2) When a home school student transfers from a home school to a public school, the
             123      public school shall place the student in the grade levels, classes, or courses that the student's
             124      parent or guardian determines are appropriate based on the parent's or guardian's assessment of
             125      the student's academic performance.
             126          (3) (a) Within 30 days of a home school student's placement in a public school grade
             127      level, class, or course, either the student's teacher or the student's parent or guardian may
             128      request a conference to consider changing the student's placement.
             129          (b) If the student's teacher and the student's parent or guardian agree on a placement
             130      change, the public school shall place the student in the agreed upon grade level, class, or
             131      course.
             132          (c) If the student's teacher and the student's parent or guardian do not agree on a
             133      placement change, the public school shall evaluate the student's subject matter mastery in
             134      accordance with Subsection (3)(d).
             135          (d) The student's parent or guardian has the option of:
             136          (i) allowing the public school to administer, to the student, assessments that are:
             137          (A) regularly administered to public school students; and
             138          (B) used to measure public school students' subject matter mastery and determine
             139      placement; or
             140          (ii) having a private entity or individual administer assessments of subject matter
             141      mastery to the student at the parent's or guardian's expense.
             142          (e) After an evaluation of a student's subject matter mastery, a public school may
             143      change a student's placement in a grade level, class, or course.
             144          (4) This section does not apply to a student who is dual enrolled in a public school and
             145      a home school pursuant to Section 53A-11-102.5 .


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