Frequently Asked Questions
What are the basic provisions of the compulsory attendance law?
Every parent, guardian or other person residing within Georgia having control or charge of any child(ren) between their sixth and sixteenth birthdays must enroll and and send the child(ren) to a public school, a private school or a home study program that meets requirements.
Parents or guardians must file a Declaration of Intent with the Information Systems Department within 30 days after a program is established and by September 1 annually thereafter. You should continue to file a Declaration of Intent for students who are 16 or older who will be requesting a Certificate of Attendance in order to obtain their instruction permit or driver's license.
Parents or guardians may operate a home study program for their child(ren) only. The parent must have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).
Can the parents or guardians employ someone else to teach in a home school program?
Yes. Any employed tutor must have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).
Does the law address curriculum requirements for home study programs?
Yes. The program must provide a basic academic educational program which includes (but is not limited to) instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies and science.
For more information about the Georgia standards for curriculum, visit the Georgia Department of Education website at www.gadoe.org.
Is a home study program to be operated within specified hours?
No. The law only requires the program to operate the equivalent of 180 days for at least 4.5 hours of instruction per day unless the child is physically unable to comply with this requirement. Even though some public school systems across the state have reduced the number of days students attend school, home schooled students are still required by law to attend the equivalent of 180 days.
Does the law specify any promotion requirements, testing or record keeping by the home study program?
The law does not specify any promotion requirements. However, it does stipulate that an “appropriate” nationally standardized testing program be administered in consultation with a person trained in the administration and interpretation of norm-reference tests. The law further states that the student must be evaluated at least every three years, beginning at the end of third grade. Nationally-normed assessments must be given at the end of grades 3, 6, 9 and 12. Additionally, the records of such tests must be retained for three years.
For more information about testing, visit the Georgia Department of Education website at www.gadoe.org.
The law states that the instructor must write an annual progress assessment report in each required subject area for each student and that the reports must be retained for at least three years. They are not to be turned in to the Information Systems Department.
Are home school students eligible for a Forsyth County School System diploma?
No
Are home study programs required to keep attendance records?
Yes. Attendance reports found on the website must be submitted to the Information Systems Department at the end of each month. Attendance reports may be submitted on line, faxed to 770-781-6602, or mailed to Forsyth County Schools Information Systems Department, 136 Elm Street, Cumming, GA 30040. Monthly attendance reports should continue to be submitted for students who are 16 or older who will be requesting a Certificate of Attendance in order to obtain their instruction permit or driver's license. (Please be sure to keep a copy of the attendance you submit for your records.)
The Forsyth County School System's Information Systems Department will issue a Certificate of Attendance to home school students if the attendance requirements are met. To meet the attendance requirements, the parent must file a Declaration of Intent and also meet all monthly deadlines for submitting attendance reports to the Information Systems Department. The Information Systems Department is located in the Almon C. Hill Education Center at 136 Elm Street, Cumming, GA 30040. Please call or email the Home School Office to schedule a time to pick up your students' Certificate of Attendance. Please note Certificates of Attendance are only valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Home school students must have attendance reports on file for 12 months or verifiable attendance from a public or a private school in accordance with the Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TAADRA).
In addition to the Certificate of Attendance, a student must also submit an Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program (ADAP) card, which may be obtained by taking the free course provided by the Georgia State Patrol. Information about the course offerings may be found at www.dds.ga.gov.
Should officials of the local public school system attempt to monitor the curriculum, the test program, student assessment process, student records or instruction time of home study programs?
No
Are there any requirements in the law pertaining to facilities or health and safety standards?
No
Are public school systems required by law to furnish for home study programs instructional materials, textbooks or services such as testing?
No
Are there any policies or procedures concerning the grade placement of students or validation of credits earned by students in home study programs who are entering or returning to the public schools?
Will high school students entering the public school from home study programs be required to meet all state board rules concerning graduation requirements?
Yes. All students graduating from any state-supported Georgia high school must meet all state requirements in regard to attendance, Carnegie Units and passing scores on the required state assessment.
How does a home school student obtain a work permit?
Work Permits are located on the Georgia Department of Labor website at www.dol.state.ga.us under the heading of Child Labor.
Fill out the required information, print the form, and have the employer fill out their portion. The Forsyth County School System's Information Systems Department (contact Chevi Green ext. 312252, Pam Gunn, ext. 312211, Rita Milford, ext. 312706, or Andrea Wojciechowski, ext. 312210) will issue a work permit when the home school student comes in person with the completed form and provides their birth certificate.
