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SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 133
July 26, 1996 |
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | Richard T. La Pointe
Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Correspondence Courses for Home Instruction |
Attached is an updated list of correspondence schools whose courses may be used to comply with Section 254.l (A), Option (iii) of the Code of Virginia pertaining to home instruction. These approvals are effective until June 30, l997 (Attachment A). The list may be updated periodically. It should be made available to parents or other interested parties upon request. Parents who wish to use courses offered by a school not appearing on the list should contact the school and request the appropriate official to obtain information from the Department of Education about requirements for including courses on the list, or they may submit the curriculum to your office for review in accordance with the requirements of Option (iv) of 22.l-254.1(A). You will note that the list identifies those schools accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the U. S. Department of Education and sets restrictions on the use of courses offered by some schools. Of special note again this year, the Driver Education course offered by the University of Nebraska continues to satisfy Virginia's requirements for the classroom phase of driver education. This is the only course approved for this purpose to date. Questions regarding correspondence courses (schools) should be directed to Charles W. Finley, Policy Associate, at (804) 225-2747 or by e-mail to cfinley@pen.k12.va.us. RTL/cwf Attachment: This memo and its attachment will be sent to the superintendent's office. ATTACHMENT A CORRESPONDENCE COURSES APPROVED FOR HOME INSTRUCTION EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 1996 Academic courses offered by the schools listed below have been approved for use by parents who choose Option (iii) of Section 22.1-254.1 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, pertaining to home education as an alternative to compulsory attendance. A BEKA Correspondence School* P. O. Box 18000 Pensacola, FL 32503 1-800-874-3592 Grade Levels: K-12 (*Parents using the Video Program must choose Option 1-Credit.) American School (The)1,2 850 East 58th Street Chicago, IL 60637 (312) 947-3300 Grade Levels: 9-12 Brigham Young University3 Department of Independent Study 206 Harman Building P. O. Box 21514 Provo, UT 84602-1514 (801) 378-2868 Grade Levels: 9-12 Calvert School* 4 105 Tuscany Road Baltimore, MD 21210 (410) 243-6030/6054 Grade Levels: K-8 (*Parents must subscribe to the Advisory Teaching Service) Cambridge Academy 1111 S. W. 17th Street Ocala, FL 34474 1-800-252-3777 (904) 620-2717 INTERNET: CAMACAD@AOL.COM Grade Levels: 9-12 Citizen's High School1 188 College Drive P. O. Box 1929 Orange Park, FL 32067 (904) 276-1700 Grade Levels: High School Home Study International* 1 12501 Old Columbia Pike P. O. Box 4437 Silver Spring, MD 20914-4437 1-800-782-4769 (301) 680-6570 Grade Levels: K-12 (* Parents must subscribe to the Partnership Program) ICS Newport/Pacific High School1 925 Oak Street Scranton, PA 18515 (717) 342-7701 Grade Levels: 9-12 Indiana University2 Independent Study Program Owen Hall Bloomington, IN 47405 (812) 855-3693 INTERNET: EXTEND@INDIANA.EDU (Enrollment) Grade Levels: 9-12 International Institute, Inc.* P. O. Box 99 Park Ridge, IL 60068 (312) 823-7416 Grade Levels: K-8 (*Parents must subscribe to the Advisory Service) McGuffey Academy International P. O. Box 109 Lakemont GA 30552 (706) 782-7709 Grade Levels: K-12 Phoenix Special Programs2 3132 West Clarendon Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85017-4589 (602) 263-5601 1-800-426-4952 Grade Levels: High School Seton Home Study School 1350 Progress Drive Front Royal, VA (703) 636-9990 Grade Levels: K-12 Southeast Academy P. O. Box MM Ball Park Avenue Saltville, VA 24370 (703) 496-7777 Grade Levels: 1-12 University of Arkansas2 Division of Continuing Education #2 University Center Fayetteville, AR 72701 (501) 575-3647 Grade Levels: 9-12 University of Nebraska-Lincoln* 2 Independent Study High School 269 Nebraska Center for Continuing Education Lincoln, NE 68583-9800 (402) 472-4321 INTERNET: DCSREG@UNL.EDU (Enrollment) Grade Levels: High School (* Student must be enrolled for credit toward a UN-L diploma) University of Oklahoma2 Independent Study Department 1700 Asp Avenue, Room B-1 Norman, OK 73072 (405) 325-1921 Grade Levels: High School 1 Accredited Member, Distance Education and Training Council(formerly the National Home Study Council) 2 Accredited Member, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools 3 Accredited Member, North West Association of Schools and Colleges 4 Accredited Member, Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges DISCLAIMER Approval of correspondence courses by the Superintendent of Public Instruction is not an endorsement of the program as a substitute for public school programs nor is it an endorsement of the educational or operational philosophy of the school. Additionally, the approval of courses is not intended as an endorsement of the quality of the courses nor is it a conclusion that they are appropriate to meet the educational needs of the student or the assessment required by Section 22.1-254.1 of the Code. It is manifest that parents who choose to educate their children at home through a correspondence course are directly responsible for the educational progress of their children and the adequacy of instruction. The General Assembly has provided a mechanism to ensure that a child is receiving adequate instruction at home by requiring annual competency testing evaluation. This testing program or evaluation is a measure of educational adequacy and the determining factor in the decision regarding the continuation of home study. The approval of the Superintendent does not guarantee that a school has a refund policy for uncompleted courses. The Superintendent assumes no liability for damages or financial loss to parents using any course to meet Option (iii) of the home study legislation.