Elementary Shared Schooling
Elementary Coordinator: Becky Wigton
247-5411, ext. 3618
Introduction
The elementary shared-schooling program is a home-school
support organization for students in first through fifth
grades. It was established to support parents who choose
to instruct their children at home. In addition, the
district has formed partnerships with several private
schools in the area to provide students instruction in
areas that the private schools don’t offer.
What is shared schooling?
Shared schooling is defined as attendance at a district
elementary school for at least 60 hours per trimester,
the equivalent of a minimum of six hours a week. Students
may fulfill the requirement in one of two ways.
One option
allows a family to pursue a partial-day placement in
a regular classroom at the elementary school within
their attendance area. Parents, administrators, and teachers
may explore options for this type of individual program.
The second option allows families seeking an enrichment
program to enroll students at Needham Elementary. Enrichment
classes have included Spanish, music, art, literacy activities,
computer, physical education, and library. They’re
offered in three-hour blocks two days a week. Additional
classes have been provided based on need and interest.
The
enrichment program also is available to students attending
private schools. Riverview Elementary maintains a partnership
with New Life Christian School. Park Elementary has a partnership
with the Durango Early Learning Center. And Needham Elementary
has a partnership with Columbine Christian School The same
six-hour requirement applies. Depending upon the needs
of the partner school, district-employed teachers also
may provide instruction at the partner school’s location.
In both situations, participants enroll and become registered
students of Durango School District 9-R.
Registration
Registration will begin in May for the following fall.
Interested families and private schools will be notified
by, and the district will place an announcement in The
Durango Herald. Families also may register throughout the
summer by contacting the Student Services Office at 247-5411,
ext. 3618.
Unless prohibited by capped enrollment, families
may continue to register throughout the school year. All
required registration
forms must be filled out and a copy of the student’s
immunization record and birth certificate must be provided.
Parent
Responsibility
Parents of shared-school students remain the primary instructional
providers, with district schools supplementing their efforts.
Parents do not need to provide copies of the home curriculum.
Parents are welcome to consult with shared-school teachers
regarding their child’s education. Standardized test
materials can be made available to parents, or shared-school
students may participate in scheduled testing at district
schools. Because shared-schooling is a partnership program,
we understand the need for flexibility and accommodating
family scheduled. However, we do expect students to attend
regularly to maintain the program’s continuity. We
also depend on parent feedback to ensure the continued
quality of our program. Parents generally provide transportation
to Needham for the enrichment program, although when established
bus schedules coincide with shared-schooling schedules,
the district can elect to provide transportation.
Support
Programs
Once enrolled, shared school students have access to various
support programs, such as those provided through English
Language Learners, Special Education, Title I, and Independent
Study. Normal screening procedures will be applied, and
attendance and participation become subject to scheduling
options and existing service locations.
Additionally, shared-school
families can approach the host school to access materials,
supplies, and use of office
equipment that can benefit the home-learning environment.
Middle School Shared-Schooling
Guidelines: Miller Middle School Counselor's Office: 247-1418
Deb Worthy: ext. 2561
John Lawson: ext. 2560
Escalante Middle School Counselor's
Office: 247-9490
Chad Novak ext. 2804
Kim Osby ext. 2805 Introduction
The following guidelines for shared schooling will determine
how those students attend middle-school classes and how
they will move through the middle-school completion process.
Definitions
Shared schooling is defined as attendance at Middle School
for at least 6 clock hours per week (equivalent to 8 class
periods in our current schedule) but less than full-time.
The student is under the supervision of their parent/legal
guardian for non-enrolled hours, and the parent supervises
and is responsible for course work not supervised by the
District, however accomplished (i.e., correspondence, homestudy,
attendance elsewhere.)
A middle-school shared-schooling
student is one whom, during their 3-year course of study,
includes both home-supervised
course work to officially complete their middle-school
education. This student may, in any given term, do complete
homestudy or complete middle school attendance.
The minimum
attendance for a shared-schooling student during the
term when that student is taking district courses
is determined by Colorado State regulations determining
half funding (90 clock hours per term which in our current
schedule translates to a minimum of 6 clock hours per
week). This minimum attendance does not apply to any term
when
the student chooses to be completely homeschooled.
Attendance/Registration
For each trimester/quarter that the student will be attending
middle school, the shared schooling student and parent/legal
guardian must submit a shared schooling form provided by
the school prior to the first day of the student’s
attendance indicating their intentions. On this registration
form, the family will list that student’s expected
middle school attendance. At the end of that trimester/quarter,
the form is completed, and families inform the school of
changes, additions, and/or deletions to their expected
trimester/quarter plan. This form is then used by the middle
school to complete the student’s transcript.
Class
Assignments
For the shared schooling student, enrollment in district
classes following non-district classes is the same as for
transfer students. Students are enrolled for 30 days based
on student/guardian request, but the district reserves
the right to reassign after that time if the student is
not successful. In addition, the building principal has
the prerogative to make rules for attendance on an individual
basis.
Extracurricular & Interscholastic Activities
Both homeschooling and shared-schooling students are eligible
to participate in all extracurricular and interscholastic
activities, regardless of the number of hours of in-building
attendance for that trimester/quarter.
These students are
eligible to participate in activities sanctioned by CHSAA
if they:
a) comply with all laws governing homeschooling;
b) meet all middle-school eligibility requirements for
participation in the activity except class attendance requirements;
c) have established academic eligibility to participate
in interscholastic activities as prescribed by the middle
school and CHSAA procedures;
d) fulfill the same responsibilities and standards of
behavior and performance including related classroom and
practice requirements as other participating students;
e) reside within the attendance boundaries of the district
and middle school.
Grade Completion Requirements
In addition to the above, the following guidelines apply
specifically to those shared-schooling students who wish
to earn middle school completion status.
Registration
When registering at the beginning of a term, the student
will list on the registration form, in addition to middle
school courses, any other courses for which the parent
plans to award grades at the end of that term. Changes,
additions and deletions can be made at the end of the term
before this information is placed on the student’s
transcript; however, this pre-planning is helpful to both
the family and the school in preparing for transition to
high school. The transcript will then show all courses
that apply toward a middle school completion.
For terms in which the student is not in the building,
the families will update the transcript upon their return
to middle school. These non-middle school attendance terms
do not require pre-planning. However, completing transcript
forms for current term or past terms allows the school
to standardize records.
Credits
Homeschool credit is available for all classes (core,
required and elective). Parent notification to the middle
school counselor of completed classes is required for these
classes to appear on the transcript. “Homestudy” will
be listed beside any classes accomplished under parent
supervision. Each home study class will be assigned the
letter grade awarded by the parent.
Any course may be accomplished for credit by:
a) in-building attendance;
b) for credit elsewhere (public, private, correspondence,
etc.);
c) home study
Acknowledgment of completion for middle school required
core classes (defined as English, Math, Science, and Social
Studies) must be awarded by either middle school or by
the parent/guardian, in similar fashion as for in-building
students of the same grade level class.
Transition to high school is also contingent on either:
a) successful completion of middle school supervised courses;
OR
b) successful completion of middle school classes and/or
home school courses as certified by parent/guardian.
OR
c) home school courses as certified by parent/guardian.
High School Shared Schooling
DHS Counseling Office, 259-1630, ext. 2309
What is shared schooling?
Shared schooling at Durango High School (DHS) is an opportunity
for students to combine the benefits of both home and public
school. Students may participate in classes offered at
DHS, while also receiving credit for home school study.
What is a shared-school student?
A high school shared school student is one who, during
his/her course of study, includes some home supervised
course work to officially complete his/her high school
education. The student is under the supervision of his/her
parent or legal guardian (and is not on campus) for non-enrolled
hours. The parent supervises and is responsible for any
course work not supervised by the district; it can be accomplished
via correspondence, home study or attendance elsewhere.
This student may, in any given trimester, enroll in complete
home study or complete high school attendance. This student
may or may not pursue a DHS diploma.
How does a shared school student register to get credit
for the home school part of his/her classes?
For each trimester that the student will be attending
DHS, his/her parent/legal guardian must fill out an application
form. Application forms are available from the Shared School
Coordinator at the Student Services Office located at 201
East 12th Street or at DHS office of Dean of Students.
All shared school applications must be submitted by the
established deadline date. See the current addendum detailing
application deadline dates for each term. At the end of
the trimester, the Time and Grade Sheet Summary and any
requested material must be turned in to receive credit
for the class. Grades can be mailed to DHS Dean of Students
or to the Shared School Office. Parents may also deliver
grades to either of the above offices. It is requested
that participants submit shared school grades within the
designated time period for each term.
First time families
are required to meet with the district Shared School
Coordinator or DHS Dean of Students in order
to become familiar with the program requirements and
expectations.
How does a shared school student register for classes
at the high school?
The student must fill out the regular DHS registration
forms for the classes that will be accomplished at the
high school. The best way to accomplish this is to make
an appointment with a DHS counselor. The counselor will
help determine available classes which best fit the student's
needs.
How does the shared school student determine which level
of classes to register for at DHS?
For the shared school student, the process for determining
which district classes are the correct classes will be
agreed upon by the parent and counselor. The district reserves
the right to reassign if the student is not successful.
What if a shared school student DOES NOT want a DHS diploma?
A non-diploma seeking student is a shared school student
who is attending DHS part-time, but is not preparing to
receive a DHS diploma. A transcript will be kept by DHS
to record all of the student's courses taken under district
supervision. The student does not need to include on the
DHS transcript any of their home school work, since they
are NOT seeking a diploma. Upon request, DHS will provide
the non-diploma seeking student/parent a copy of that transcript
for personal use (i.e., seeking employment or receiving
a diploma from another institution).
Even if a family does
not think they want a DHS diploma, the district recommends
that all families consider preparing
for one in case they change their minds as graduation
draws closer.
What if a shared school student WANTS a DHS diploma?
A
diploma-seeking student is a shared school student who
is pursuing a DHS diploma by meeting the 9-R graduation
requirements of the class with which he/she enters the
high school. They must register all home school classes
through the Shared School Coordinator or DHS Dean of
Students in order to receive credit for them toward a DHS
diploma.
If a diploma-seeking shared school student enters
the program in a year other than his/her freshman year,
and
wants retroactive credit for the classes which he/she
accomplished at home, the family must provide a transcript
of completed
course work.
Graduation from DHS requires currently enrolled
students to accumulate a total of 245 credits. However,
beginning in Fall 2005 with the Freshman Class, students
will have
to meet more rigorous requirements. (See a COMPARISON for more details) Credits toward graduation may be accumulated
by completing courses offered through DHS, combining
home/shared
school credits, and through other institutionally transcripted
credits. If a student chooses to earn credits through
the shared school option, one of the following two options
must be fulfilled in order to receive a diploma from
Durango
High School:
Option #1:
The student must accumulate a minimum of sixty-five (65)
credits over the duration of their high school career by
earning passing grades in courses offered at DHS. Twenty-five
(25) of the sixty-five (65) total credits must be completed
through Durango High School during the graduation year.
AND
Of the sixty-five (65) credit total, thirty (30) credits
must be earned from the list of acceptable courses (of
these 30 at least one course from each of the four core
subject areas of MATH, COMMUNICATIONS, SOCIAL STUDIES
and SCIENCE).
Option #2:
Designed for those students who
have exclusively home schooled up to their graduation
year
The student must earn a minimum of twenty-five (25)
credits at DHS during his/her graduation year, of which
at least
twenty (20) credits must be earned from the list of acceptable
courses. From the list of acceptable courses a student
must earn at least one trimester of credit from each
of the four core areas (MATH, COMMUNICATIONS, SOCIAL STUDIES
and SCIENCE) in order to receive a DHS diploma.
"Shared Schooling" (SH)
will be listed beside any classes accomplished under
parent supervision. Each
home study class will be assigned a number of credits similar
to district offerings and the letter grade awarded by the
parent. These grades will not be calculated into the student's
GPA. In addition, shared school students must meet all
standards, take assessments and complete the career portfolio
required for a diploma.
Syllabi of DHS required and core
courses shall be made available to shared school students
upon request. Also,
textbooks such as Health may be available for loan for
some courses to assist shared school students.
Can a shared school student participate in extracurricular
and interscholastic activities?
Both home school and shared school students are eligible
to participate in all extracurricular and interscholastic
activities, provided they meet eligibility requirements
set by 9-R and CHSAA.
Please note, a copy of the CHSAA and
DHS academic eligibility guidelines may be obtained from
the Activities Secretary
at the high school, 259-1630, ext. 2302. As of this printing,
the performance guidelines will be in the 2003-04 student
handbook.
Guidelines
The following guidelines for shared schooling will determine
how those students attend high school classes and how they
will move through the high school graduation process.
1.
Students may take no more than 30 units of credit that
can be applied toward a DHS diploma in any given trimester.
This may be a combination of regular DHS classes, home/shared
school classes, or any institutionally transcripted credits
(i.e. correspondence courses).
2. Taking a shared school class may or may not qualify
freshmen or sophomores to have a free period in their schedule
at DHS.
3. Shared school physical education course requirements:
students may earn physical education credit toward graduation
through the shared school program in two ways:
(a) PE credit may be earned through participation in an
established and recognized program such as the Durango
Nordic Ski Team, Durango Whitewater, Dance in the Rockies
and others. The program director is simply required to
register yearly with the Shared School Coordinator or DHS
Dean of Students. Students then apply to take the course
by submitting the appropriate shared school application.
At the end of the term, the coach or program director submits
a roster of students who applied for and fulfilled the
requirements of the program to the shared school coordinator.
Along with a grade of "pass," these students
shall receive the number of credits for which they have
applied.
(b) Physical education courses may be designed and supervised
by the parent and/or a non-registered private coach/trainer.
Students/parents must submit a shared school application,
a course outline, and a basic schedule of activities. When
the course has been completed, the parent shall submit
the Grade and Time Sheet Summary along with a daily log
detailing activities and time spent working on the course.
(c) Students who apply for shared school courses in the
academic areas are required to submit an application and
provide a course outline. At the time of the application
approval, students may be notified that they will need
to provide a body of evidence, showing examples of work
completed, in order to receive credit. Upon the completion
of the course, a Grade and Time Sheet Summary and any previously
requested materials must be submitted in order to receive
credit for the course.
5. All shared school courses must be completed and all
required materials submitted by the end of the school year
for which the course was requested. If a student is unable
to complete the shared school course work for which he/she
registered, notification must be given to the Shared School
Coordinator or DHS Dean of Students by April 1st of that
same year. If notification is received by the required
date, the non-completed course will be dropped from the
student’s schedule. If notification is not given
and course work is not completed, the student will be issued
a grade of "No Credit" (NC) on his/her DHS transcript.
Shared school summer courses must be completed during the
summer vacation time period and all required materials
for credit should be submitted by the beginning of the
next term.
6. Participation in the shared school program is dependent
on the student having an attendance record in good standing.
Any student who has been classified as "habitually
truant" under Colorado statutes or who has been identified
as having poor or questionable overall attendance, may,
at the discretion of the Shared School Coordinator or DHS
Dean of Students, be prohibited from participation in the
shared school program.
7. After the student completes his/her freshman year,
a maximum of 10 units of shared school credits may be completed
during the summer. In addition, students may earn up to
10 credits toward graduation through transcripted summer
school course work.
8. The principal or his/her designee must approve any
exceptions.
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