ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS. General Information

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ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS

General Information

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Introduction

1 Home Education

2

Section 504

3 Alternative Schools

4 (Assignment Procedure)

Department of Juvenile Justice Programs

5 Alternative Education Contacts

6

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MARION COUNTY ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS

1517 SE 30

th

Ave, Suite 1, Ocala, FL 34471

Phone: (352) 671-6860 Fax: (352) 671-6861

Dr. Lou Archibald, Supervisor

Alternative Programs encompasses Dropout Prevention

Services, Home Education, Department of Juvenile

Justice Schools, and Section 504.

The alternative program schools focus specifically on the

diverse learning and behavioral needs of students who

are at risk. Staff members share in the responsibility for

accommodating the learning and behavioral needs of the

individual to the maximum extent possible

– with the goal

of success for all learners. The mission is to provide a

continuation of educational services that empowers

reassigned, expelled, and referred students by creating a

culture that supports a personalized learning experience.

Special programs to address the diverse learning needs

of students are provided by Silver River Mentoring and

Instruction (SRMI) and Kingsbury schools. SRMI’s Fast

Track program focuses on academically deficient 8

th

grade students. Kingsbury has a special unit for regular

education elementary students focused on a continuum

of education services and progression back into the

student’s base school.

All programs in the Alternative Programs department

strive to provide customer friendly service with quality

assurance of programming.

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HOME EDUCATION

Home Education Law

By definition, a Florida home-education program is “sequentially progressive instruction of a student directed by his or her parent or guardian” in order to satisfy the requirements of Florida Statutes 1002.01 and 1002.20. The parent or guardian is not required to be a certified teacher, nor does the law require any other educational qualification (such as high-school or college graduate status) in order to teach your children at home. As the parent or guardian, you are your child’s primary instructor and the supervisor of his or her education.

Six Responsibilities of Parents are:

1. Send a notice of intent to your district school superintendent designee. 2. Maintain a portfolio of records.

3. Make your portfolio available for inspection by the superintendent upon a 15-day notice.

4. Submit an annual evaluation for each child to the superintendent designee. 5. Preserve your child’s portfolio for two years.

6. Submit a letter of termination upon completion of your home-school program, upon enrollment in a public or private school, or upon moving from the county.

Participation in Interscholastic Extracurricular Student Activities

Home education students may participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities under Florida Statute 1006.15.

HOME EDUCATION STUDENTS:

♦ Are eligible for Bright Futures scholarships ♦ Are not bound to specific hourly attendance

♦ Are not provided instructional materials from their base school ♦ May be dually enrolled

♦ May return to public school within compulsory attendance age ♦ In returning from home school to public school, placement is

validated during the first grading period upon return

♦ May take standardized tests at their base school

CONTACT: Diana Henderson 671-6859 x57870 fax 671-6899

ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS. General Information