The Non-DoD Schools Program (NDSP) provides support and funding for the education of eligible dependents of sponsors assigned at locations where the DoD does not operate a school within commuting distance. Parents electing to provide home-schooling instruction rather than enrolling their child in a local school must proceed through the following steps: 1. Select a home-study program. 2. Submit the following documentation to your local Non-DoD School POC:

• A copy of the sponsor’s orders plus any amendments.
• A copy of the sponsor’s overseas tour extension approval if the DEROS has or will expire prior to the beginning of school. Documentation of a current DEROS is required for continued enrollment in the Non-DoD Schools Program.
• DoDEA Form 610, "Application for Enrollment in a non-DoD School", for each dependent. A new DoDEA Form 610 is required anytime there is a change in schools.
• If the child(ren) is/are applying for entry to Kindergarten or First grade, we require a copy of that child's Passport or Birth Certificate to verify age. The child must attain the age of 5 by 31 October of the enrolling year to enter Kindergarten, or age 6 by 31 October of the enrolling year to enter First grade.
• If the dependent’s names are not listed on the sponsors’ orders or in a separate approval authorization, a completed "Certification of Command-Sponsored DoD Dependents" form is required.

The maximum allowable school-year rate for home schooling is $5700 for grades kindergarten through eight and $7700 for grades nine through twelve, subject to the following limitations.

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.

Non-allowable home-schooling 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 and 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 Payment or Reimbursement

Sponsors who elect to purchase educational curriculum materials for home-schooling purposes must submit to the local NDSP liaison receipts and an itemized list indicating the appropriate dependent(s) for each purchase. 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.

Additional Resources:

Home-schooling Information from all 50 States in the U.S. http://homeschooling.miningco.com/library/weekly/aa072999.htm?PM=ss12_homeschooling

DoDEA Curriculum Standards
http://www.dodea.edu/instruction/curriculum/curriculum.htm

DoDEA Materials/Textbooks
http://www.dodea.edu/instruction/curriculum/adopted_materials.xls