We request that the Tigard-Tualatin school board change their policies which currently disallow homeschooled and some privately educated students from having their academic records reviewed and evaluated when transferring into district high schools. This denies students the opportunity to receive credit for prior coursework even when they have a verifiable academic record. We seek a policy change which would provide for a fair and equitable review of the academic record of EVERY student transferring into district high schools. This would bring Tigard-Tualatin school district policies in line with the majority of other districts in Oregon as well as the policies of many other states. Taxpayers are funding the Tigard-Tualatin school district for the benefit of every student within district boundaries. No student should be denied these benefits without compelling and well-substantiated reasons.

Additionally, we are seeking the removal of the explicit exclusion of homeschooled students from participation in graduation exercises. Some Oregon districts allow homeschooled students who have taken classes at a district high school to participate in graduation exercises without receiving a diploma, in a similar fashion to foreign exchange students. In the past, TTSD has allowed participation on a case-by-case basis. Often homeschooled students have represented district high schools in varsity athletics, music and the arts. They have represented their schools at state-level competitions. They are part of the TTSD community. We propose that such students be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies without receiving a district diploma (like a foreign exchange student) if: they are in good standing, have been enrolled at a district high school at least part-time during their senior year, and have completed the number of credits required by the state for graduation although their diploma is from another entity.

The families, students and staff of our high schools form tight-knit communities. When members of this community are unnecessarily excluded, it upsets the broader community. We seek a policy that better reflects the values of the TTSD community.

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