The director of pupil personnel has the responsibility to enforce the compulsory attendance and census laws in the attendance district he/she serves.

When a question arises as to whether a child is actually being schooled at home it is within the authority of the director of pupil personnel to ask for evidence that a bonafide school exists.  Evidence that a school actually exists might include:

1. Whether the parent/guardian has notified the local board of education by letter of intent to teach the child(ren) at home giving the names, ages, and address of each child.
2. Whether instruction is taking place over a term at least as long as the term in effect for the public school in the district where the child resides. (175 instructional days times 6 hours = 1050 instructional hours per school year)
3. Whether instruction covers at least reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, mathematics, and civics.
4. Whether the teacher records and maintains scholarship reports of each student’s progress at the same interval as in the local public school, grading all subjects taught.
5. Whether an accurate record of pupil attendance is being kept.

 
When there is reason for concern the director of pupil personnel should notify the private school of the parent’s need to provide this information.  If the records are incomplete, the director of pupil personnel has the option of making a visit to inspect the private school to determine whether instruction is taking place.  In the case of a home school, if the parents refuse access to the home, the director of pupil personnel may arrange a meeting at the school district office or at a neutral site.  Following assessment, if the director of pupil personnel concludes that minimum standards of instruction are not being met, he/she may take action under KRS 159.

KRS 159.130 defines the powers and duties of directors of pupil personnel:  The director of pupil personnel and his assistants shall be vested with the power of peace officers, provided however they shall not have the authority to serve warrants.  They may investigate in their district any case of nonattendance at school of any child of compulsory school age or suspected of being of that age.  They may under the direction of the superintendent of schools and the Kentucky Board of Education, institute proceedings against any person violating the laws of compulsory attendance and employment of children.