3142 International Exchange Students
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The board recognizes the value of cultural and academic exchanges. Such experiences provide international exchange students with a balanced understanding of our country and provide U.S. students with a broad world perspective.
Students visiting our state for a short stay (B-2 visa), such as a vacation or visit with friends or family, may not enroll in school in the district. However, with prior written permission from the school, these students may visit classrooms and attend school-sponsored events.
International exchange students who come to the U.S. for a long-term visit (J-1 or F-1 visas) with the intention of attending school may register to attend school in the district through a recognized international exchange program or through the sponsorship of a school.
The district will admit such international exchange students when admission does not adversely impact the instructional program of the district.
The superintendent is directed to develop procedures, including but not limited to: number of international exchange students, selection of international exchange organizations, timing of placement process, district expectations of international exchange organizations, school expectations for international exchange students, school responsibilities and provisions for international exchange students with F-1 visas.
Legal Reference:
RCW 28A.300.240 International Student Exchange
RCW 19.166 International Student
ADOPTED: 12/16/1993
REVISED: 10/22/98; 09/24/09
Procedure No. 3142P International Exchange Students- Definitions
For purposes of this procedure, an international exchange student is defined as a student who has been issued a J-1 or F-1 visa in order to enroll in a school in the district. An international exchange organization is an organization registered with the Secretary of State’s office in Washington State. - Number of International Exchange Students
The district determines the number of international exchange students for placement in each school based on the capacity of the school to integrate the international student in a way that is beneficial for all. The district strives to find an acceptable number that recognizes the needs of schools and the opportunities provided by exchange programs. The district limits the total number of international exchange students to five students per high school annually. - Selection of International Exchange Organizations
- The district will only accept students from international exchange organizations registered with the Office of the Secretary of State of Washington State. (A list of such organizations is available on the website of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction at www.k12.wa.us); and
- The district reserves the right to work with international exchange organizations that have proven their commitment to high standards and responsiveness to student and district needs.
D. Timing of Placement Process
- An international exchange organization wishing to enroll an international exchange student in a school in the district shall submit to the district a request which provides a complete program description, including the name, address, and telephone number of the local representative. The district must receive the application by May 1 for students planning to begin school during first semester the following fall or by October 1 for students planning to begin school for second semester.
- The district staff, in consultation with the appropriate building principal, shall review the application. The district will provide notification of approval or denial in writing to the program representative in a timely manner, but no later than June 1 for the first semester and November 1 for the second semester.
- The district may, at its discretion, choose to accommodate a late applicant because federal J-1 visa regulations permit the placement of exchange students up to August 31 of each year.
E. District Expectations of International Exchange Organizations
Each international exchange organization must:
For the District:- Each year, obtain written school enrollment authorization for student placements before confirming a placement with a host family;
- Follow district policy on placement timing and requirements;
- Maintain a qualified and trained local representative with responsibility for each student including ongoing communication with the school and responding to school needs;
- Provide the name, address and telephone number of the local program representative who shall provide emergency, advisory and liaison services to the district;
- Notify the district as soon as student and host family match-ups are confirmed and provide the name, address and telephone number of the student's host family to the district; and
- Forward the student's cumulative records to the district prior to the approval for admission. The cumulative record will include transcripts and the student academic records, in English.
For the Host Family:
- Arrange host family placements before exchange students leave their home country;
- Personally interview and screen all potential host families, matching student and family interests and personalities; and
- Maintain ongoing contact with the host family and student.
For the Student:
- Screen and place exchange students based on their academic interests and abilities and not knowingly place exchange students based solely on their athletic abilities;
- Prepare exchange students, including providing an orientation to the U.S., Washington state, the school and academic expectations;
- Ensure that the student will receive adequate financial support for the duration of their stay in the district;
- Ensure that exchange students have medical and accident insurance that meets or exceeds U.S. Department of State guidelines;
- Ensure that exchange students arrive in their host homes and school placements by the first day of classes;
- Monitor student progress during the school year and respond to issues or problems as they develop;
- Provide any necessary student tutorial help and support services. In the event that tutoring/ESL or special accommodations are needed, the organization must make arrangements and accept financial responsibility for such services; and
- Inform the student of student activity costs and/or fees as required by the district.
F. School Expectations for International Exchange Students
It is the responsibility of the international exchange organization to ensure that the international exchange student is fully aware of the expectations of the school that has accepted placement of that student.
Each international exchange student must:- Be qualified to participate in regular classes and maintain a typical schedule. This means the student must have an acceptable level of proficiency in the English language, a commitment to treat coursework as important, and the social skills to enjoy participation in social and extra-curricular activities;
- Understand that eligibility of international exchange students to participate in extra-curricular athletics, music, forensics, and other such activities may be limited and is determined by the rules and regulations of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association;
- Attain passing grades by the end of the first semester;
- Know and follow all school policies and rules, and federal regulations related to the visa;
- Meet district and state graduation requirements in order to be eligible to receive a high school diploma. Each international exchange student must also understand that it is not the purpose of the international exchange experience to enable international exchange students to receive a Washington state high school diploma. Therefore, international exchange students shall not be included in any class ranking lists, nor shall a GPA be computed for them. The district will determine whether it is appropriate for the student to participate in graduation ceremonies or to receive a high school diploma;
- Pay all normal expenses, including standard course and extra-curricular activity fees;
- Present required paperwork, including visa information, medical records, transcripts and host family information, to the school staff member designated to coordinate the international exchange program; and
- Understand that enrollment eligibility for international exchange students in public schools is for one school year only.
G. School Responsibilities
- Schools are expected to provide international exchange students with all rights and privileges accorded to resident students — except the right to a diploma; and
- The school shall make every effort to integrate international exchange students into the school's social fabric. In turn, schools shall encourage international exchange students to participate enthusiastically in school activities, to make friends, to make a personal contribution to the school, and to help spread the word about their country and themselves, informally and by making presentations in classes and to community groups and talking to media when asked.
H. International Exchange Students with F1 Visa
To enroll students with an F-1 visa, a school must apply to the US Department of Homeland Security for F-1 visa authority. Upon receiving this authority, the school becomes the sponsoring organization and must comply with all federal regulations for students with F-1 visas. The school must demonstrate receipt of payment for the annual per pupil cost of attendance for the international exchange student before issuing the I-20 form, which is required for the student to apply for the F-1 visa. As the sponsor, the school is legally responsible for the student, including but not limited to screening, placement with the host family and meeting the needs of the student. In addition, the district expects the student and the school to follow all of the relevant expectations outlined in this procedure.
ADOPTED: 09/24/1992
REVISED: 09/24/09 - Definitions
3000 Policies
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QUALIFICATIONS OF ATTENDANCE AND PLACEMENT
3110 Admission and Attendance
3114 Part-time, Home-based, or Off-Campus Students
3115 Students Experiencing Homelessness: Enrollment Rights and Services
3116 Students in Foster Care
3120 Enrollment
3122 Excused and Unexcused Absences
3123 Withdrawal Prior to Graduation
3124 Removal of Student during School Hours
3125 Release of Student during School Day
3126 Child Custody
3131 District Attendance Area Transfers
3140 Release of Resident Students
3141 Nonresident Students
3142 International Exchange Students
3143 District Notification of Juvenile Offenders
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3200 Student Rights and Responsibilities
3205 Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited
3207 Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
3210 Nondiscrimination
3211 Gender-Inclusive Schools
3220 Freedom of Expression
3223 Freedom of Assembly
3224 Student Dress
3225 School-Based Threat Assessment
3226 Interviews and Interrogations of Students on School Premises
3230 Student Privacy and Searches
3231 Students Records
3232 Parent and Student Rights in Administration of Surveys Analysis or Evaluations
3235 Protection of Student Personal Information
3240 Student Conduct Expectations and Reasonable Sanctions
3241 Student Discipline
3242 Closed Campus
3243 Student Driving
3244 Prohibition of Corporal Punishment
3245 Students and Telecommunication Devices
3246 Use of Isolation, Restraint and Other Uses of Reasonable Force
STUDENT WELFARE
3410 Student Health
3412 Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
3413 Student Immunization and Life Threatening Conditions
3414 Infectious Diseases
3415 Accommodating Students with Diabetes
3416 Medication at School
3417 Catheterization
3418 Response to Student Injury or Illness
3419 Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications
3420 Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response
3421 Child Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Prevention
3422 Student Sports – Concussion, Head Injury and Sudden Cardiac Arrest
3424 Opioid-Related Overdose Reversal
3432 Emergencies
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
3510 Associated Student Bodies
3515 Student Incentives
3520 Student Fees, Fines, Charges
3530 Student Fund Raising Activities Involving Students