homeschool@imesd.k12.or.us

Subject: Homeschool registration

InterMountain Education Service District
Attn: Bianca Bates
1604 27th Street
La Grande OR, 97850

1604 27th Street
La Grande OR, 97850

2001 SW Nye Avenue
Pendleton, OR 97801

If your child is enrolled in an accredited online school in the State of Oregon, such as the Virtual Learning Academy, Connections Academy, or Baker Web Academy, etc., you do not need to provide notice of homeschool.

Even though your child is learning from home, they are actually enrolled in a public online school.

Virtual Learning Academy Informational Packet

Parents/guardians are responsible for curriculum, including selection and purchase costs. Typically, each county has an organized Home School Association that can assist in curriculum selection and advice. List of local contacts is included below.

The IMESD does not offer curriculum consulting or purchasing services.

Upon request from the ESD, test results must be submitted for evaluation of satisfactory educational progress, as pursuant to OAR 581-021-0026(5) after grades 3, 5, 8 and 10 are completed. If the ESD determines satisfactory progress has not been made, a plan of assistance may be put into effect according to the Oregon Administrative Rules governing home schooling.

ORS 339.460 allows students who are homeschooled, enrolled in a charter school, or a GED program to participate in interscholastic activities at their resident school. The law specifies that this is allowable in grades K-12, but that in grades K-8 this is restricted to those activities that occur before or after school. Homeschooled students who wish to participate must test annually, by August 15. For more information, please see the OSAA Handbook.

• OSAA Handbook

• OSAA Home School Pamphlet

• OSAA Home School Eligibility Parent Checklist

Under the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act), school districts are obligated to identify students in their boundaries who qualify for special education services, including students who are homeschooled. Oregon requires districts to offer, and document to the parent: (1) the opportunity to receive special education services if enrolled within the district, and (2) the opportunity for an IEP team to consider providing special education and related services to the child with a disability in conjunction with homeschooling. Parents may also request IEP meetings and the district must comply; however, the decision of whether or not to provide services is an IEP team decision.

Students who are home schooled do not earn credits for graduation.

Furthermore, ESDs do not award diplomas to home school students. Local high schools do not award diplomas to home schooled students, nor do they normally recognize a students' home school experience to grant credits toward graduation. However, a school district may have other policies regarding course work done outside school. Please contact your resident district for information about types of course work that may be acceptable.

The ESD does not maintain individual student files for home school students. The student’s cumulative file is maintained by the last public school attended.

Home school students must obtain a Statement of Enrollment form from IMESD prior to receiving a driver’s permit or license. Please contact the IMESD well in advance to obtain the appropriate document.