8.3 Educational Neglect Reports Learned or Found to be Home Schooling
Home Schooling is when a parent(s) or other responsible caretaker(s) is educating their children at home. Many times CA/N reports accepted as educational neglect reports come in with indications that the child may be being educated at home. In such cases the worker will need to rule out educational neglect by verifying that a child is being “home schooled”.
- Upon receiving a CA/N report where the only allegations are Education Neglect with indications that the child is being educated in the home, the worker will:
- Initiate investigation according to Investigation or Family Assessment Response.
- If educational neglect is the only allegation the worker is required to see the victims within 72 hours.
- Upon being advised that the parent(s) or other responsible caretaker(s) is providing education in the home and there are no prior substantiated educational neglect reports, the investigation/family assessment shall:
- Cease further investigation into the matter.
- Notify the superintendent or designee of school district of child's residence and inform parent(s) of this action.
- Forward written report to the school within (3) working days of being advised by parent(s). (See Guidelines for Letter to School District on Reports Concluded as Home Schooling below.)
- Conclude the report using CA/N-1 Conclusion Code "I” for Home Schooling. The category of CA/N should be coded "7” for None – Home Schooling. Worker's specific findings and severity should be left blank.
8.3.1 Guidelines for Letter to School District on Reports Concluded as Home Schooling:
The following information should be sent to the superintendent of the school district where the child would attend:
- Name and address of the parent.
- Names and ages of the children for whom home schooling is reported.
- Date of CA/N report.
- Date and summary of contact with family.
- A statement to the effect that this report is being made pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 210 RSMo.
If advised that the parent(s) or other responsible caretaker(s) is providing education in the home,
but there is prior substantiated educational neglect.
- Refer the family to the juvenile office.
- If the juvenile office opts to pursue the case in order to rule out educational neglect, the worker will assist the juvenile office and conduct the report as an educational neglect investigation/family assessment until home schooling is verified.
- If home schooling is verified by the juvenile office:
- Cease further investigation into the matter.
- Notify the superintendent or designee of school district of child's residence and inform parent(s) of this action.
- Forward written report to the school within (3) working days of being advised by parent(s). (see Guidelines for Letter to School District on Reports Concluded as Home Schooling )
- Conclude the report using CA/N-1 Conclusion Code "I” for Home Schooling. The category of CA/N should be coded "7” for None – Home Schooling. Worker's specific findings and severity should be left blank.