6201.1 R&P

FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

6201.1 R&P

A.

PROGRAM APPROVAL

All organizations operating foreign student exchange programs must receive approval of the program from the English as a Second Language Office prior to placing a student in the Wake County Public School System.  Approval will be based on criteria established by the English as a Second Language Office and will include:

 1.

Documentation that the organization has met the standards established by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET) and appears in the current Advisory List of International Educational Travel and Exchange Programs.

2.

Documentation that the organization has a representative based in Wake County.

3.

Documentation that the program:

*Has well defined and executed administrative practices

*Has stated educational goals compatible with the generally recognized goals of secondary education in the Wake County Public School System

*Has demonstrated successful placement of foreign exchange students

*Is a non-profit organization

*Is incorporated; and

*Makes a complete financial report available to the public.

 The Wake County Public School System will only accept foreign exchange students through approved programs.  Organizations operating foreign student exchange programs must receive approval from the English as a Second Language Office prior to placing a student(s) within a school in the Wake County Public School System.  The number of slots for Foreign Exchange Students is five (5) to nine (9) per school annually as determined by the English as a Second Language Office in consultation with the school, based on projected student enrollment and adequate facilities.

 B.

PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

The foreign exchange program shall be responsible for assuring that all matters associated with the exchange are facilitated.  This includes, but is not limited to:

 1.

Filing a current copy of program guidelines with the English as a Second Language Office;

2.

Working with the appropriate governmental agencies to ensure that the prospective foreign exchange student has fulfilled all requirements for entry into the United States on a J-1 visa;

3.

Assuming all financial and legal responsibility for the foreign exchange student;

4.

Providing the English as a Second Language Office with a copy of the student application packet, which the foreign exchange student agency used to accept the student, by July 31 of the current school year;

5.

Assuming responsibility for all matters associated with living arrangements for the foreign exchange student, such as selecting and orienting the host family involved in the foreign exchange program;  (Host families shall not be recruited through the Wake County Public School System.)

6.

Orienting the foreign exchange student to Wake County and to the Wake County Public School System;

7.

Meeting with an administrator of the school to which the student is assigned to establish a liaison for the program, the host family and the school.

8.

Notifying, in writing, the principal of the assigned school of the need to award and transfer any academic credit back to the student's home country after completion of the foreign exchange year in the Wake County Public School System, and informing the principal of any unique procedures features involved in the process. (Foreign exchange students will not be granted a diploma by the Wake County Public School System but may be recognized during graduation exercises.) and

9.

Informing the foreign exchange student of the policies of the Wake County Public School System at the time of the student's acceptance by the foreign exchange student agency.

 C.

ACCEPTANCE OF STUDENTS

Foreign exchange students who are accepted in the Wake County Public School System must meet criteria established by the English as a Second Language Office.  These requirements include that the student:

1.

Be approved by the English as a Second Language Office;

2.

Apply for admission to the Wake County Public School System by July 31 of the year in which the student wishes to enroll; (application to the school system is formalized by the receipt of a copy of the foreign exchange student's application packet, including the name and address of the host family);

3.

Be eligible for enrollment in grades  11 or 12 and, be between the ages of 16 and 19 years old; and not have graduated in their own country;

4.

Present a valid J-1 visa to the principal of the school to which the student is assigned;

5.

Have adequate command of the English language to function in a regular classroom.  The foreign exchange agency must document the student's English ability as part of the application process.  NO special assistance will be given in English.

6.

Present documentation of acceptable academic achievement and

7.

Provide the school principal with:

a.

Insurance documentation (accident and medical coverage)

b.

Written permission of the program to take driver education and participate in interscholastic athletics, if applicable

c.

Results of a recent physical examination and proof of required immunizations;

d.

A copy of any special rules and requirements contained in the foreign exchange agreement; and

e.

Any other data required by the school or the Wake County Public School System.

 Foreign exchange students will be accepted for a year long course of study or a first semester course of study only.  No second semester placements will be made.

 D.

PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS

 The assignment of foreign exchange students to a school within the Wake County Public School System will be made by the English as a Second Language Office.  Considerations in making such an assignment are based on:

 1.

The number of foreign exchange student slots available within a school during the school year as determined by the English as a Second Language Office;  and

2.

The host family address.

E.

SELECTION OF COURSES/EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

 The selection of courses and extracurricular activities will be made through agreement with the program representative, the host family, school personnel and the students.

 1.

The school shall designate a faculty member to act as a Foreign Exchange Student Advisor who will serve as a liaison between the foreign exchange student and the school.

2.

A member of the host family or the local program representative should contact school personnel to register the student and select courses and activities.  All foreign exchange students must take U.S. History and eleventh grade English.

3.

Students will be allowed to participate in all extracurricular activities and intramural athletics available to them at the assigned school except where prohibited by restrictions of the foreign exchange program.

4.

Exchange students may participate in interscholastic athletics with written permission of the program representative, if they meet applicable eligibility requirements under the policy of the Wake County Public School System and the North Carolina High School Athletic Association and provide any other necessary documentation.

F.

SPECIAL AGREEMENTS

1.

Tuition is waived for all foreign exchange students who enroll into the Wake County Public Schools under these guidelines.

2.

Foreign exchange students are subject to all rules and regulations governing other students in the Wake County Public School System.

 II.

WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM STUDENTS ENTERING AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM

 In order for a student to take courses abroad and receive high school credit for them in the Wake County Public School System, careful planning based on outlined procedures is essential.  The result should be clear expectations on the part to the student, his/her parents and the school administration.  In general, credit can be given for those courses which have substantial equivalency to a Wake County senior high school course in content and in hours.  A syllabus from the school being attended will serve as documentation.

Grades earned in courses taken abroad will not be included in the calculation of the student's grade point average.  A notation of "pass" or "fail" will be made on the permanent record.  This procedure, while resolving the problem of incompatible grading systems, may affect a student's ability to be labeled a "North Carolina Scholar".

A.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT

1.

File "Request for Credit for Study Abroad" by July 1 of the year preceding the proposed study; approval cannot be granted until the student submits a copy of the syllabus of the course(s) for which credit is requested.  The hours of study and grading system in the course(s) must be included.

2.

Notify his/her principal and receive approval of any course changes by December 31 of the year of his/her study abroad.

3.

Mail to his/her Wake County high school a copy of first semester grade report received on approved courses.

4.

Schedule and take required end-of-year tests and teacher examinations of the Wake County course(s) for which substitution is to be made.  This requires the student to be available one week prior to graduation from high school (June or August graduation available).

5.

Notify the school of any changes in permanent address and telephone numbers.

B.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL

1.

Approve or deny “Request for Credit for Study Abroad” no more than two weeks after the course syllabus is presented.

2.

Administer required end-of –course tests and teacher examinations to student.

3.

Enter seniors studying abroad on the principal monthly report as an E1 the last day of school.