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201.3 TANF Manual 07/24 Page 4d

K. Children Excused by the Local School Board* - Children may be excused from school attendance by the local school board.

1. Children excused for the reasons below are not truant and no further action is required:

a. children who are home schooled or tutored by someone other than the parent, as verified by the local school board/division;

b. children whose parents are conscientiously opposed to attendance at school for religious reasons;

c. children whose parents are opposed to attendance at school for health or safety reasons; and

d. children age five who will not reach their sixth birthday until after September 30 of the school year, whose parent or guardian notifies the school board that he does not wish the child to attend school until the following year because the child is not mentally, physically, or emotionally prepared to attend school.

Note: The local agency must distinguish between virtual learning and homeschooling.

A child enrolled in a virtual Virginia public school program that provides Virginia licensed teachers and instructional material, is not classified as a home school child. They are remotely attending a public-school program and must comply with the state required minimum number of 180 instructional days or 990 instructional hours. **

2. The agency must explore the availability of alternate programs for children excused for the following reasons:

a. children in violation of school board policies, including weapons, alcohol or drugs charges, or intentional injury to another person; and

b. children who cannot benefit from education at the school.

If a program is located in which the child can participate, a plan must be developed. If no program is available or appropriate, the child is not truant and must not have his needs removed from the payment.

* Code of Virginia, Section 22.1-257 ** Code of Virginia, Section 63.2-602

TANF Transmittal 78