Mount Lebanon reviews home‑education policy; notarized affidavit, portfolio and evaluator deadlines outlined

The Mount Lebanon School District reviewed draft policy 1.37 on home education programs during its Sept. 8 public policy meeting, outlining registration, documentation and oversight requirements for students of compulsory school age who are educated at home.

The draft specifies that home education is conducted by a supervisor chosen by the parent or guardian and that a notarized affidavit must be filed with the superintendent before a home education program begins and annually thereafter on or before Aug. 1. Dr. Friess summarized that the affidavit must include “certification that the supervisor of the home ed program and all adults living in the home and persons having legal custody of the child or children in the home education program have not been convicted of criminal offenses” and other information required by law.

Why it matters: the policy sets the district’s procedural requirements for recognizing home education programs, the district’s role in maintaining records and the steps for reentry or participation in district curricular or extracurricular programs.

Key provisions and discussion - Registration and affidavit: A notarized affidavit is required prior to commencement of the home education program and annually by Aug. 1; the affidavit must contain information required by state law, including certain certifications about the supervisor and household adults. - Participation and ineligibility: The draft states a person expelled from any public school is not eligible for placement in the district or participation in district curricular or extracurricular programs, including interscholastic sports, notwithstanding bona fide home education status; administrative regulations set the board's guidelines for a home‑schooled student's entry or reentry and participation in district offerings. - Instructional requirements and assessment: The policy requires a student portfolio and periodic evaluations to demonstrate completion of a year of home education; graduation and diploma issuance rules for home‑educated students are addressed in the administrative regulations. - Students with disabilities: The draft requires that home‑educated students with disabilities receive appropriate educational services in compliance with state and federal law; a home education evaluator must certify annually that an appropriate education is occurring and submit certification to the superintendent by June 30. If certification is not submitted, the superintendent will notify the supervisor and give 10 days to comply; failure may lead to a hearing by an impartial hearing examiner within 30 days and potential further appeal to the Title IX coordinator, the secretary of education, Commonwealth Court, or Court of Common Pleas as applicable. - Transfers: If a home education program relocates to another Pennsylvania district, the supervisor must request a letter of transfer by registered mail 30 days prior to relocation.

Discussion and clarifications Board members asked whether this policy affects existing contracts with educational supervisors used for homebound education. The presenter clarified that homebound education (services provided by the district to a student confined at home) is distinct from home education (parent‑directed instruction) and that the draft governs the latter. The presenter said external providers hired by families do not automatically fall under the district’s confidentiality provisions unless the district retains control over the provider.

Next steps The policy was presented for review; the board will consider adoption at the upcoming voting meeting. No formal vote on policy 1.37 occurred on Sept. 8.

Ending If adopted, the policy will formalize registration, documentation, evaluator certification and participation rules for home‑educated students, including specific deadlines for affidavits (on or before Aug. 1) and evaluator certification (by June 30).