Palmetto Independent Educators believes that each home school family needs to have a full understanding of the home school laws and their requirements. The following section enumerates each part of the law and what were required in order to be in compliance with it.
- LAW A. A parent must hold at least a high school diploma or other equivalent general educational development (GED) certificate;
PIE requires one copy of the parent - teacher's diploma or GED certificate to be kept on file in the office.
- LAW B. The instructional year is at least one hundred eighty days;
PIE requires an attendance record for each student.
- LAW C. The curriculum includes, but is not limited to, the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, and in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature; and the parent - teacher shall maintain educational records.
PIE understands that because each student has different needs and different learning styles, the parent-teacher is the best person to determine in what manner to present the required subjects. Even though we do not review any specific lesson plans or diaries in order to check for compliance to the law, it is understood that it is the responsibility of each parent-teacher to cover all of the required subjects with each student.
The office of PIE does not approve or disapprove a member's curriculum. However, the office of PIE does recommend comparing the content of the user's core curriculum against South Carolina's curriculum standards to ensure the content of the curriculum of the user's choice is competitive with the states standards.
- LAW D. Educational records shall be maintained by the parent - teacher and include:
- a plan book, diary, or other record indicating subjects taught and activities in which the student and parent - teacher engaged;
- a portfolio of student's academic work;
- a semiannual progress report including attendance records and individualized documentation of the student's academic progress in each of the basic instructional areas specified in item (C) above.
PIE suggests that a daily lesson planner, diary or journal be kept on each child that includes a list or description of lessons/activities for each subject taught. A separate folder (portfolio) should be kept that includes a list or description of student's best work in each subject throughout the year. Also this folder should contain any tests, quizzes, report papers or other documents that indicates a student's mastery of the required material.
Please be advised that if your home schooled student returns to the public/private school setting, it is the home school parent's responsibility to provide required transcripts and student records to the school. Learn about obtaining and maintaining your student's/child's educational records, and when you will be required to provide your student's/child's educational records on the Records Page. Sample forms are provided from the member center in PDF, Word 2000, and Excel format.
Important Note: According to the SC Code of Law: Section 59-65-20 Penalty for failure to enroll or cause child to attend school.
Any parent or guardian who neglects to enroll his child or ward or refuses to make such child or ward attend school shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than fifty dollars or be imprisoned not more than thirty days; each day's absence shall constitute a separate offense; provided, the court may in its discretion suspend the sentence of anyone convicted of the provisions of this article.
PRIVACY POLICY ACCORDING TO PARENT/ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT FORM
I understand that all information given to Palmetto Independent Educators is confidential and cannot be released without my written consent. I do agree, however, if inquiry is made concerning my membership in PIE, my good standing in the organization may be acknowledged.
Important Note: It is important that both parents names appear on the application form. Only the names on this form will have access to their information that is currently on file.
Please be aware the following year's Application Package will not be sent until the prior year's record is completed (The Attendance Form and the School Year Review Form are due June 30).
APPLICATION PACKAGE CONTENTS
To become a member of PIE, you must fill out an application package which will consist of the following: Documentation to be turned in at the beginning of the school year, or your home school program.
Application Form: (Annually) This form provides PIE with your contact, mailing and enrollment information.
Parent-Association Agreement Form: (First time applicants only)
Notification of Student Transfer Form: (Each student, if coming out of public or private school) This form notifies the school that your child is legally home schooling under the auspices of Palmetto Independent Educators.
Registration Fee: (Make check or money order out to Palmetto Independent Educators)
Copy of the Parent-Teacher’s diploma or GED: (First time applications only)
Documentation to be turned in at the end of the school year. PIE members may subscribe to the end of school year reminder mailing list, located in the Members Center.
School Year Review Form: (Annually, due by June 30th) This form closes out the current school year and informs PIE of your need for the next school year application package.