Districts would check home instruction after serious school absences

A district would review whether the home instruction plan is being followed and required instruction is happening. This applies to a child of compulsory school age who leaves public school for home instruction after missing at least 20 percent of instructional days in the school year they start home instruction, through their last day in public school, or in the school year just before. A parent or person responsible for the child must provide one or more reasonable forms of evidence. No particular form is required if other evidence reasonably shows that required instruction is happening. If the evidence reasonably shows the plan follows the rules, the review ends. The district must review within 60 days after home instruction begins.

A district could require more checks if evidence remains insufficient after notice and a chance to fix the listed gaps. These steps apply to children and families subject to the review described above. The district must explain each deficiency and say what additional evidence could help. The family must get at least 15 days after receiving notice to submit evidence or correct each deficiency. Further checks may include a conference, an assessment, or more records or work samples. If they show required instruction is not happening, the district must follow the laws and rules that apply. Being subject to review alone would not allow a district to require entry into a home. The bill does not limit other authority provided by law or regulation. The family must have at least 15 days from receiving a deficiency notice to respond or correct the listed problems before the district may require more checks.

The state education department would collect and publish yearly totals about students moving from public school to home instruction and the review process. The information would cover students' attendance, severe absenteeism, reviews, review outcomes, and later findings that home instruction did not meet requirements. The department must publish the information in aggregate form and protect students' identifying information. The department would collect and publish the information annually.