Louisiana

*This letter is the filled-companion to the official BESE-Approved Home Study Program Application. File the application itself through the LDOE online system (or the paper application in the LDOE guidelines); this letter carries the statutory contents of R.S. 17:236.1 — the application, the certification, and, at renewal, the evidence.* --- APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF A HOME STUDY PROGRAM To the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, through the Louisiana Department of Education La. R.S. 17:236.1 Parent / legal guardian: [NAME] Mailing address: [ADDRESS, PARISH] Telephone: [TELEPHONE] · Email (optional): [EMAIL] Student: [CHILD'S NAME] Date of birth: [DATE OF BIRTH] · Grade level: [GRADE] School previously attended: [TYPE AND NAME/ADDRESS OF SCHOOL, OR "NONE"] Date the home study program commences / commenced: [DATE] *(Initial application: within fifteen days after commencement. A certified copy of the child's birth certificate is enclosed / uploaded.)* Certification: I certify that this home study program will offer a sustained curriculum of a quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level. Assurance: I am the parent / legal guardian of the child named above; the information in this application is true and correct; and I have read and agree to comply with the requirements of the home study program under R.S. 17:236.1. Signature of parent / legal guardian: ______________________________ Date: ______________ **At renewal** (by October 1 of the school year, or within twelve months of the initial approval, whichever is later), attach ONE of the following as satisfactory evidence: 1. A packet: outline of the subjects taught · list of books and materials used · samples of the student's work · and a report card, copies of tests, or a statement from a third party who has observed the child's progress; **or** 2. Standardized test scores at or above grade level, or showing progress equal to one grade level for the year, on a board-approved test (or a passing score on the state competency-based examination); **or** 3. A written statement from a teacher certified to teach at the child's grade level who has examined the program. --- *Route (2) — Nonpublic School Not Seeking State Approval:* file the LDOE online attendance submission annually (school name, school address, parish, school year, school leader's name, total student enrollment, and the assurance statement), reporting total attendance as of the 30th day of the term; maintain attendance records at the school; and, if the child last attended a public school, send that school a written notice of enrollment within 10 days containing at least the student's legal name, date of birth, gender, and race (R.S. 17:221.3). Students on this route are not eligible for TOPS scholarships and do not receive a diploma carrying the weight of a state-issued diploma.