Virginia
Birth certificate request retracted
A Home School Legal Defense Association member family recently reported that Frederick County Public Schools was requiring home schooling parents to submit a birth certificate-along with a declaration of grade placement for each child. Neither of these items is required under Virginia law.
HSLDA Attorney Scott Woodruff promptly sent a letter to the school district, describing the legal requirements for home schoolers and addressing Frederick's unlawful requirements.
In response, Frederick County Director of Pupil-Personnel Services Richard Plaugher wrote,
I do understand that neither a birth certificate nor declaration of grade placement is required for a family to educate their children at home under Virginia law.
Plaugher further stated that his district would, as it reviewed Virginia's statutes and regulations, continue to make appropriate revisions to its policy regarding home instruction.
- Scott A. Woodruff
