13A.08.01.06

.06 Educational Programs for Pregnant Girls.

A. The local school system has responsibility to provide appropriate school programs for all students including pregnant girls, married or unmarried. These programs shall include provisions for counseling, pupil personnel work, social work, and psychological services as needed.

B. A girl, 16 years old or older, who is pregnant, either married or unmarried, who has not completed her high school education may elect to remain in the regular school program and may not be involuntarily excluded from any part of this program. The decision to modify this program or provide an appropriate alternative educational program as defined in Regulation .06D, of this chapter, shall be reached in joint consultation with the girl and appropriate educational and medical personnel.

C. A girl who is pregnant, either married or unmarried, who is under compulsory school age, may voluntarily withdraw from the regular school program provided that she enrolls in an appropriate educational program planned for her. The decision concerning an appropriate educational program as defined in Regulation .06D, of this chapter, for the pregnant girl shall be reached in joint consultation with the girl, her parents, guardians, or husband, and appropriate educational and medical personnel.

D. Appropriate educational programs may be:

(1) Continuation of the regular school program (modified in terms of individual needs);

(2) Enrollment in a special school or special class for pregnant girls;

(3) Enrollment in a residential school (may be regional);

(4) Telephone teaching;

(5) TV teaching;

(6) Home teaching;

(7) Programmed instruction;

(8) Admittance to a private maternity home;

(9) Combination of the above programs.

E. It is the responsibility of the local school system working with the home to cooperate with other State, county, and city agencies, such as health, welfare, and juvenile services and with private physicians or agencies to assure that the pregnant girl receives proper medical, psychological, and social services before termination of pregnancy and for as long as needed after that.