It seems Step Up has updated their faq section and the instructions for new PEP students is completely contradictory. Could you guys get clarification on this as any avenue we have as parents will not be reliable.
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Well it seems like they are once again changing the rules, without announcing that it’s a change (like how they interpreted testing requirements).
They removed the word AWARDED and changed it to FUNDED. Are they now setting themselves up to having to switch AWARDED accounts to waitlisted as they may have over awarded from what actual funds they have available? It just seems a strange procedural change, and unnecessary unless there’s an ulterior motive.
Ok thank you, I can definitely follow that line of thinking but then they also posted a little further down completely contradicting the first statement, without mention of it being tied to submitting your final evaluation. I do think they are getting confused themselves with this awarded/funded wording or possibly changing the criteria without removing the old procedures. But those are just assumptions that could definitely use some clarifying, I appreciate your response and any help bringing this to their attention
Hey there! Jason here. I think I can see the confusion. The question about when to unenroll from home education has been swarming around the internet and mixed signals have definitely been going out among parents and others.
Here's the link to the page on SUFS's website: https://www.stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/personalized-education-program/
Find the FAQ and here we go.
What the FAQ is saying here is that once you've been AWARDED, it is your responsibility as the parent to unenroll the student from home education with the district.
It's not automatic, and it's important that you do it.
Also, complete your Home Education Evaluation prior to applying for PEP even if it's not exactly your anniversary date yet. This will make sure you satisfy all of your Home Education-enrolled year's requirements as you move into PEP for the present/coming year.
The first question seems to be stating that you do not need to submit an evaluation as a part of your application process. It is NOT saying that it is not a part of completing your year of home education that you are completing. You DO need to complete that year's requirements.
You CAN apply for PEP BEFORE you complete your evaluation for Home Education. That's what they're intending to convey.
ONCE AWARDED means that you have been granted a scholarship that will be funded when the funding dates occur. So, once you have been alerted that you have been funded, you can THEN unenroll/withdraw with the district.
Now, the second question about truancy. In the event that you DO NOT complete an evaluation and you do not get awarded, your child could be found truant. The part that states, "please do not withdraw as a home education student in your school district if you have not been funded, or do not wish to use, a PEP scholarship." Is additionally confusing as I believe they are using "funded" internally as a status recognition that you are "going to be receiving funds." They ARE NOT saying WAIT UNTIL THE FUNDS HIT YOUR ACCOUNT TO WITHDRAW.
I can see how this is confusing, and we are going to pass these insights on to them to clarify these issues. Hopefully they will get it updated soon.
Thanks for bringing this up. Hope it helps everyone to hear some clarity.