The Superintendent and the Foxborough Public School Committee recognizes and respects the right of parents or guardians to educate their child(ren) at home, in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 76, Section 1 and the Charles Decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
The School Committee Policies IHBG and IHBG-E ensure that the process by which school officials approve, and review homeschool programs is both lawful and equitable. Therefore, the Foxborough Public Schools has established these home-school program procedures.
When a parent or guardian of a student between ages 6-16 wants to establish a home-based educational program for his/her child, the following procedures shall be followed in accordance with the law:
Prior to removing the child from public school:
The parent/guardian must submit written notification of the establishment of the home-based program to the Assistant Superintendent before the program is established. Upon approval of the home school program, the student will be unenrolled from Foxborough Public Schools on the date that the home school program begins. The parent/guardian will need to return any school-issued technology and materials.
The parent/guardian must certify in writing on the Home Education Application provided by the District below the name, age, and place of residence and the number of hours of attendance in each program. Please reach out to the Curriculum Office with any questions and also note that you are welcome to meet with our Assistant Superintendent as part of your homeschool application.
The Assistant Superintendent or designee shall give the notice to produce records required by law if there is probable cause to believe the program does not comply with the law. Factors to be considered by the Assistant Superintendent or designee deciding whether or not to approve a home school proposal may be:
1. The proposed curriculum and number of hours of instruction in each of the proposed subjects.
2. The competency of the parents to teach the students.
3. The textbooks, workbooks and other instructional aids to be used by the students and the lesson plans
and teaching manuals to be used by the parents.
4. Periodic standardized testing of the students to ensure educational progress and the attainment of minimum
standards.
A student being educated in a home-based program within the District may have access to public school activities of either a curricular or extracurricular nature upon availability and approval of the Superintendent.
Additional information:
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Home-educated students do not participate in state testing programs such as MCAS.
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Foxborough Public Schools is not responsible for supplying textbooks or instructional materials.
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Families must reapply each academic year.
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If you are enrolling your student in a private virtual school based in a city or town in Massachusetts, the law requires that the school committee of that town approve the school. If you wish to enroll your child in a private virtual school that is not based in Massachusetts, state law would treat your child as a homeschooled student. In that case, you would need to have your educational plan reviewed and approved by the school district in which you reside. Please refer to theMassachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education FAQ on virtual school for families.pdf for more information on virtual schools.