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NDSP and Home Schooling

Parents electing to provide home-schooling instruction rather than enrolling their child in a local school must follow the procedures and guidelines included here. Also reference the This linked document is a PDFNon DoD Schools Program Guidance for additional information

Parents electing to provide home-based educational instruction rather than enrolling their child in a local school must proceed through the following steps:

  1. Become aware of and comply with the Host Nation requirements for home schooling
  2. Enroll your dependent in NDSP through your school Liaison Officer (SLO) by electronically submitting the following to ndsp.europe@eu.dodea.edu or by FAX to (49) 611-380-7671:
  3. Select a home-based educational program and indicate U.S. or Host Nation school schedule
  4. Contact the NDSP Education office for assistance with program planning or curricular questions

DoDEA policy is that a child must turn five or six by October 31 of the enrolling school year for entrance into kindergarten and first grade respectively. The only exception to this policy is outlined in DoDEA Policy Memorandum 02-E-001 , dated February 11, 2002, Subject: Minimum Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade Overseas Dependents.

The maximum allowable school-year rate for home-based educational programming is $5,700 for grades kindergarten through eight and $7,700 for grades nine through twelve, subject to the following limitations. Questions regarding allowable expenditures should be directed to ndsp.education@eu.dodea.edu.
Note: This guidance does not apply to families who choose to home-school in overseas locations where DoD schools exist.

Reasonable materials may only be ordered for the current grade in which the dependent will be enrolled (grade/age appropriate basis). Materials may not be ordered for two academic years in one school year. Curriculum materials may be ordered for one grade level above or below the grade of enrollment in one curricular area only

. Allowable home-based educational programming expenses include:
  1. Traditional curriculum textbooks and other supplemental materials as may be appropriate for math, science, language arts, social studies, and other subjects on a grade/age appropriate basis.
  2. Instructional CDs/software, curriculum guides, and manipulative materials for math, etc.
  3. Fees charged for access to libraries and group participation in athletic, extracurricular, or music activities that are normally free of charge in U.S. public schools. Group participation is defined as a lesson or activity with enrollment open to the public, not a lesson provided exclusively for a family group (see Non-Allowable item h).
  4. Travel and transportation costs at post or away from post associated with these activities are not allowable.
  5. Fees for curriculum-related on-line Internet services such as study programs, library services, and distance learning.
  6. Rental of curriculum-related equipment such as microscopes or very large band instruments (such as a Sousaphone) that would normally be provided by U.S. public schools.
  7. Required testing materials by either the formal home-study course or other authorized program.
  8. Advisory teaching service affiliated with the selected formally recognized home-study course.
  9. Tuition charges, shipping costs, lesson postage, on-line Internet and facsimile charges associated with formal recognized home-study course or other authorized program.
Non-allowable home-based educational programming expenses include:
  1. Equipment such as: computers, keyboards, printers, televisions, facsimile and scanning machines, calculators, microscopes, and furniture.
  2. Non-course specific CDs, videos, DVDs;
  3. General reading materials, reference materials (dictionaries, encyclopedias, globes), etc.
  4. Purchase or rental of items that have broader use than the course being studied (i.e. computer hardware, calculators, band instruments except noted above).
  5. Expendable supplies (paper, pencils, markers) that are normally purchased by parents in the U.S.
  6. Parental training in home-study private instruction.
  7. Any form of compensation to the parent such as childcare or supervisory costs.
  8. Travel and transportation costs at post or away from post.
  9. Personal telephone, Internet, satellite, cable or other available communication subscription fees.
  10. Fees for museums, cultural events, or performances that would normally be paid by parents in the U.S.
  11. Private lessons.
  12. Membership in gymnasiums, cultural clubs, spas, and other private clubs.
  13. Textbooks, Bibles, workbooks, daily devotionals, or any material primarily for religious instruction.
  14. Insurance associated with shipping charges. (Do not elect the optional insurance.)
  15. Fees to an independent agency for posting credits and issuing transcripts.
Documentation for Reimbursement of Educational Allowances

Sponsors who elect to purchase educational curriculum materials for home-schooling purposes must submit a Claim for Reimbursement of Educational Allowance (DSE form 960) and receipts to the NDSP. Sponsors are responsible for out of pocket expenses until the purchase is approved and reimbursement processed.

Responsibility for documentation rests with the sponsor. Receipts must be legible. Itemized lists of educational texts or materials must clearly indicate relevance to curriculum areas.

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