In my last blog post, I mentioned
the IPI option for homeschooling in Iowa. Today, I’ll start wading through the
other homeschool options currently available to Iowa families. While IPI is an
option all its own, the CPI (Competent Private Instruction) has four separate
options which make the CPI a little more tricky. What adds to the ambiguity is
the fact that the Iowa Legislature changed a lot of stuff this year (2013) and
it’s not really all cut and dry. CPI has two option, and with each of those two
options, are two more options. Today, I’ll focus on CPI option 1 – HSAP
Just a note to the reader – understand; I have never homeschooled
under the CPI option. I am fairly new to this myself. I may have chosen the CPI
option if it weren’t so confusing. The CPI option 1 – HSAP is probably the
least confusing of the CPI options, but it’s also the one you may find the
hardest to utilize. What it depends upon is whether or not your school offers a
HSAP. HSAP stands for Home School Assistance Program. Under this option, the
school assigns you a supervising teacher. This supervising teacher will hold
your hand during home schooling. They will help supervise you and they are
required by law to meet face to face with your child a certain number of times
per quarter. I believe it’s currently 4 times per quarter. If your school does
not offer a HSAP, this option is unavailable to you unless you open enroll into
a school which offers a HSAP. Marion Independent Schools in Marion, Iowa
supposedly has a very successful HSAP and it’s my understanding that a lot of
people open enroll in their school just to have access to their HSAP.
Depending on the school, you may
pick your own curriculum, or the school may choose it for you. Many HSAPs I
understand provide curriculum for you if asked. Remember this though, if you
choose the HSAP option, you are obligated to teach your child whatever the
school tells you if they choose. They have that right under the HSAP rules. If
you don’t like their curriculum, this may not be the best option for you.
If you want your child to have
access to classes at school such as band, art, or anything else that you’re not
able to or comfortable teaching, then you have the option to dual enroll. This
also opens the door for those of you who want your children to participate in
sports. If you wish to utilize these services from the school, you must choose
the dual enrollment option. Dual enrollment is not available to IPI. If you
want your kids to participate in sports, choose one of these CPI options.
You must fill out Form A which is
available from the Iowa Department of Education website. Every CPI option
requires that this form be filled out. You also need to have proof of
immunizations filed with the school. You can choose this option anytime during
the school year, but must file Form A within 14 days of pulling your child out
of school. Also, it’s my understanding that the school does not have to enroll
your child into the HSAP program after a certain date in the school year. It
seems to have something to do with funding. My advice to you is to make your choice before
school starts and make sure your paperwork is in before September 1st.
Otherwise, unless you have assurance from your superintendent that they will
allow your child into the HSAP after the cutoff date, it may be best to choose
another option for the rest of the school year.
If you wish to consider this
option further, I would highly recommend contacting your school’s superintendent.
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