Frequently Asked Questions
How do I transfer home education course credits to West Fargo Public Schools?
When a home school family requests to return to the public school system for the awarding of a West Fargo Public Schools' diploma, high school principals have a responsibility to provide for the integrity of our diploma and to ensure that the home school courses awarded by the parent/guardian are equivalent to those awarded by North Dakota licensed educators who are highly qualified in their respective subject area, as mandated by the state of North Dakota, and have been hired by West Fargo Public Schools.
To receive credit for courses completed through home education, the student's parent/guardian must provide West Fargo Public Schools with an outline of the course material covered in each subject, demonstration and/or examples of student work, a gradebook listing assignments and earned grades, and a transcript of the student's grades and what course is being requested for credit.
If any of the four required documents is unavailable, West Fargo Public Schools may evaluate whether other reasonable proof is acceptable for the student to meet applicable requirements for high school graduation. West Fargo Public Schools may also probate awarding of course credit.
All transfer credits will be reviewed be all high school head principals (or their designee); this is to ensure the responsibility of reviewing and editing does not fall upon a single school or principal, as well as to provide more discussion regarding the awarding or withholding of credit. All home school transfer credits will be identified on the student's transcript as homeschool and will be recorded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
As we have respected each family's right to home educate their child, as administrators we must protect the right of our students to ensure the integrity of their diploma and that some degree of equivalency exists regarding rigor and time commitment.
The decision to award or withhold transfer of home school credits is at the sole discretion of the building principals.
Who can teach a home schooled child?
A guardian is qualified to supervise a program of home instruction if the guardian has a high school diploma, GED, or greater. Proof of guardian’s level of education is required.
Home educators may attend classes, staff development programs, and training sessions provided to WFPS teaching staff. A homeschooled child must be taught by one of the child’s parents or legal guardians.
Can home school students receive a high school diploma?
Yes, if they meet the requirements. West Fargo Public Schools grants diplomas only to those students who have completed all North Dakota and WFPS requirements for a high school diploma.
To receive credit for courses completed through home education, the student’s parents or legal guardian must provide West Fargo Public Schools with the following:
1) An outline of the course material covered in each subject,
2) A list of the course objectives,
3) A written description of how the course objectives were met, and
4) A transcript of the student’s performance in grades.
If any of the four items of required documentation is unavailable, West Fargo Public Schools may evaluate whether other reasonable proof is acceptable for the student to meet applicable requirements for high school graduation. All home school transfer credits will be identified on the student’s transcript as “home school.”
To be eligible to graduate from West Fargo Public Schools, home school students must be enrolled in, and successfully complete, their senior year at one of West Fargo high schools. Students are required to earn six credits their senior year, including four credits in the senior level classes in the four core classes (math, science, social studies, and English/language arts).
Any home school student and parent seeking a West Fargo Public School diploma must schedule a meeting with the high school principal in the spring or summer PRIOR to the student’s senior year.
Can home school students participate in school activities?
Yes, but they are required to follow the same eligibility requirements established by the school, the district (link to district policy), and the North Dakota High School Activities Association (link to state policy). Home school students can only participate at the school determined by their address, they do not get to pick. For home school students, a parent must provide the athletic or activity director a written report indicating their academic progress using the same academic eligibility dates as the school.
How do home school educators get curriculum materials?
Posted by: West Fargo Public Schools
Parents are responsible for purchasing all materials. School district textbooks may be borrowed by home school parents if the school has extra copies available.
There are many companies and organizations that sell or provide curriculum materials for home schools. You may also contact:
North Dakota Home School Association
1854 107th St NE
Bottineau, ND 58318
Telephone: 701‐263‐3727
Email: office@ndhsa.org
Website: www.ndhsa.org
Author:
West Fargo Public Schools
info@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
How do home school educators find nationally normed standardized tests?
Here are some sources of standardized tests frequently used by home school parents:
Iowa Test of Basic Skills
Riverside Publishing Company
PO Box 1970
Iowa City, Iowa 52244
Stanford Achievement Tests
The Psychological Corporation
757 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10017
California Achievement Test
Piedmont Education Services
1629 Turfwood Drive
Pfafftown, NC 27040‐9513