EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND INSTRUCTION
604.9.1 - REQUIREMENTS FOR HOME SCHOOL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
To be eligible for a Home School Assistance Program Certificate of Completion, a WACO-enrolled student must have participated in the WACO Home School Assistance Program or have a documented history of an alternative instructional pathway. Examples of approved instructional pathways that may include dual enrollment in another public school district, Competent Private Instruction (CPI) under Iowa Code, participation in another district’s Home School Assistance Program, or enrollment in accredited online or correspondence programs.The student must also demonstrate satisfactory academic progress, as verified through a comprehensive portfolio review conducted by a Home School Assistance Program teacher. The portfolio should include evidence of coursework, learning activities, and assessments that show the student’s academic growth over time. Results from standardized achievement tests—or an equivalent assessment—may be included in the portfolio but are not required to be taken a specific number of times.
Students may earn a Home School Assistance Program Certificate of Completion upon meeting the minimum expectations established by the program; however, this certificate does not constitute a WACO High School diploma and does not reflect completion of the district’s graduation credit requirements. Students receiving a Home School Assistance Program Certificate of Completion will be eligible to participate in WACO graduation exercises.
Credit will be awarded for the following types of coursework:
A. Courses taught by the home school assistance teacher(s).
B. Courses taken at an accredited school or community college that would be accepted for credit by the WACO Community School District.
C. Courses taught by parents that meet the following criteria:
- To the greatest extent possible, the courses should follow the curriculum guidelines for equivalent courses offered by the WACO Community School district.
- Parent and home school assistance teacher have agreed on the specific requirements for the course
- Courses completed through enrollment and completion of a correspondence course such as A.C.E, A BEKA Video School, or Bob Jones Link.
- Independently designed courses that have the prior approval of the home school assistance teacher. Credit would be given based upon a review of the student’s portfolio by the home school assistance teacher.
Approved: 2/20/97
Revised: 7/20/09; 1/25/26
Reviewed: 10/19/15, 12/20/21