This regulation sets forth the procedural requirements for admission of foreign exchange (FE) visitor students to the District.

1. Area representatives will obtain school authorization for enrollment of exchange students prior to contact with a host family.
2. A maximum of four (4) FE students per year may be enrolled. They may stay the full year or for a semester only.
3. Placement of the student in the high school should be arranged at least five weeks in advance of the student's departure from the student's native country. In any event, such placement must be made before the student's arrival in the United States.
4. All FE students seeking enrollment at Carthage High School must be at least sixteen (16) years old and less than nineteen (19) years old at enrollment date.
5. The prospective FE student must demonstrate adequate English skills.
6. Before being enrolled at Carthage High School, the student must supply a file that contains a completed student application form provided by the sponsoring agency, a complete school record, including transcripts (in English or translatable form), and a signed medical release with complete health records.
7. The host family should be familiar with, and transmit to the school, information about the student's interests and general behavior.
8. The educational placement of a FE student will be determined by the building principal, with the assistance of any additional staff required. Although it is recognized that much benefit results from the exchange program, it is necessary for the student to arrive with a level of basic skills that are consistent with those students who are currently enrolled in the high school. In the event that an exchange student requires educational services or programs above and beyond those that are regularly provided to the District's students (i.e., special tutoring, special reading programs, etc.), District personnel may participate in the identification of the services, but the costs associated with outside services will not be paid for by the Carthage R-9 School District. In the event that unusual educational problems arise during the placement of the exchange student, it will be the responsibility of the sponsoring agency to rectify the situation.
9. The principal will check to see whether:
   1. Orientation, both pre-departure and upon arrival in the United States, has been provided to the exchange students. The orientation is to be designed to give the students basic information about the United States, its people, family and school life, and the nature of the program in which they are participating.
   2. Orientation has been provided to host families at least five weeks prior to the student's arrival in the United States.
   3. Each visiting student and host family has been provided with a copy of the Department of State's Criteria for Exchange Visitor Programs.
   4. The representative has made sure the student has appropriate health, accident and liability insurance.
   5. Students are provided with an identification card with address and telephone numbers of the sponsoring organization and the Facilitative Services Staff, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State, and Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET).
10. FE programs placing students in Carthage High School will:
    1. Provide a coordinator who will be available to school personnel for consultation and advice on any problems or matters relative to their program and students who are enrolled in Carthage High School.
    2. Provide a written statement explaining any change in the home placement status of students to the Carthage High School principal.
11. Representatives of the FE program must maintain close contact with the school and host family, provide active supervision and support to their participating students, and assume responsibility for resolving problems including, if necessary, the changing of host families and the early return home of the exchange student because of personal or family difficulties.
12. All exchange students are under the same policies, rules, and regulations as resident students and enjoy the same rights and privileges as other Carthage High School students. The FE student must abide by the rules and regulations of the high school regarding attendance, discipline, school work, etc.
13. Eligibility of a FE student to participate in inter-scholastic activities will be determined by the Carthage High School athletic director in accordance with applicable MSHSAA guidelines.
14. School expenses (i.e., sports equipment, fees, lunches, etc.) are the responsibility of the student. Should a FE student be placed with a host family that qualifies for free or reduced lunches, he/she may participate in that program.
15. Diplomas may be issued to exchange students when both the District graduation requirements and the student's home school requirements have been met. The Carthage High School principal will determine if the FE student may participate in graduation ceremonies and other senior activities.
16. District students should be recommended by the local units of exchange visitor programs for reciprocal privileges and responsibilities.

Board Approved Date: May 2010

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