RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:

The Cobb County Board of Education recognizes the value of international study and authorizes the Cobb County School District to provide regulations for student participation in international student exchange programs. Approved programs must be consistent with the Council of Standards on International Education Travel and Cobb County School District regulations.

RULE:

Definition: A foreign exchange student shall be defined as a student who requests authorization for enrollment through a foreign exchange agency approved by the Council of Standards on International Educational Travel.

1. An approved exchange program must have an office within the State of Georgia and must be registered through the Cobb County Schools International Welcome Center. The exchange program must comply with the following conditions:

A. Prove non-profit status.

B. Assume full responsibility for the student. This includes solving any housing or personal problems the student may have. Exchange students must have complete insurance coverage.

2. Students accepted for exchange programs may be involved in either a full-year program or a one-semester program.

3. Admission of foreign exchange students to the Cobb County Public School System shall be coordinated by the International Welcome Center. Request for admission must include the following documentation: student name and address, biographical information and the name and address of the host family. The completed application must be postmarked to the International Welcome Center no later than June 1 for full semester or full year enrollment, or by October 1 for spring semester enrollment.

4. Foreign exchange students must not be older than 18 on September 1 of their year of enrollment in Cobb County Schools.

5. Students eligible for participation as foreign exchange students must not have completed the final year of high school as organized in their home country. Foreign exchange students will be placed in 10th grade homerooms.

6. Students should be screened for demonstrated maturity and sufficient knowledge of English. It is the responsibility of the exchange program to verify this provision. Foreign exchange students are not eligible for ESOL or Bilingual services.

7. Students accepted for exchange programs will receive course credit but are not eligible for a diploma.

8. The Cobb County School District reserves the right to limit the number of foreign exchange students placed in high schools.

9. Failure of an exchange agency to abide by these procedures can result in a review of the agencies privilege of placing students in the Cobb County Public Schools.

Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04