FILE:  JQK

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

 

 

This policy applies to international exchange program students from other countries who are temporarily in West Baton Rouge Parish without their parents/legal guardians for the purpose of attending school.

 

The Board recognizes the educational and cultural value of international exchange programs and students and authorizes the admission of a limited number.  International exchange students are educated at the expense of the school district.  To protect the interest of the district, its schools and students, the only international exchange students to be admitted are students from district-approved exchange programs.

 

International exchange students are approved by the district on an annual basis.  District approval must be obtained prior to seeking the admission of any international exchange student to a public school in West Baton Rouge Parish.  For the year of admittance, the sponsoring agency of any exchange student must be included in the list published by the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel and be approved by the United States Immigration Agency to qualify for J-1 visas.

 

The Superintendent will establish procedures and regulations for the administration of this program to ensure that the acceptance and placement of international exchange students will be a beneficial experience for all involved.

 

  1. Program Requirements

    To be considered for approval by the West Baton Rouge Parish School system, international student exchange programs must meet the following minimum requirements:

 

    1. The sponsoring agency must be approved by and be in good standing with the Council for Standards on International Educational Travel (CSIET) and be a United States Information Agency (USIA) designated organization.
       

    2. As part of the application process, the local representative of the sponsoring agency must sign a written agreement to abide by all policies and procedures of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board.

 

  1. Student Requirements

 

    1. The student must reside with a legal adult resident of West Baton Rouge Parish.
       

    2. The student must possess a J-1 visa.
       

    3. As of September 30 of the program year, the student must be between the ages of 15 and 18½.
       

    4. The student must not have graduated from high school or its equivalent in his/her home country.
       

    5. The student must not have spent previous time in the United States as part of a Foreign Exchange Program.
       

    6. The student must have average or above average grades in his/her home school and must not be receiving special professional assistance to function in the regular academic program.
       

    7. The student must have sufficient knowledge of the English language to produce effective oral and written communication, to use instructional materials and textbooks printed in English, and to function in the regular educational program without special professional assistance.
       

    8. The student must submit the following documents to request admission:

 

      1. Official transcript and/or record of prior education from the student's home school and an English translation of the same documents.  The records should reflect the number of hours per week the student spent in class, the courses taken and the grades/credits earned.
         

      2. A copy of his/her health/immunization records, translated into English.
         

      3. Evidence of health and accident insurance covering the duration of his/her student visa.
         

      4. The name, address, and phone number(s) of the student's own parents/guardians and the local international exchange program representative.
         

      5. Two character references, one of which must be from a professional staff member in the student's home school.
         

      6. A notarized temporary custody agreement between the international exchange student's parents/guardians and the host family and/or exchange organization must be furnished prior to the students enrollment in school.

 

  1. Admission of International Exchange Students.

    Only exchange students who have met the criteria outlined in the previous section may seek admission to West Baton Rouge Parish schools.

 

    1. All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board by May 1.
       

    2. International exchange students must arrive in time for attendance on the first day of school.

 

  1. Placement of International Exchange Students

    Since international exchange students are educated tuition free at the expense of West Baton Rouge Parish and Louisiana taxpayers, only a limited number of students will be afforded this opportunity each year.

 

    1. So that all high schools may have the opportunity to share in the experience of hosting international exchange students, exchange organizations are asked to disperse students they are sponsoring throughout the parish's high schools.
       

    2. If there is a greater demand than can be accommodated by the parish schools, limits will be imposed.
       

    3. Prior to the start of school, the host family shall accompany the exchange student to the Child Welfare and Attendance office to obtain a permit to register at the prospective school.
       

    4. Upon obtaining a permit to register, the host family will accompany the exchange student to the assigned school to begin the registration process.
       

    5. Student records will be forwarded to the assigned school by the assistant superintendent's office to facilitate academic placement.

 

    1. Suspension, Revocation or Dismissal

       

      Exchange organizations, host families, and/or international exchange students found to be in violation of any of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board Policies and Regulations are subject to having their relationship with the District terminated.  Any change in the immigration status of an exchange student will be reported to the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization service.

 

Ref:     Council on Standards for International Educational Travel

Board minutes, 9-17-03

 

West Baton Rouge Parish School Board