How to homeschool in Maryland

Home instruction with local school system portfolio review · Md. Code, Educ. § 7-301(a); COMAR 13A.10.01.01

You notify your local school system and agree to keep a portfolio showing regular, thorough instruction in the required subjects. A school system representative reviews the portfolio at mutually agreed times, no more than three times per school year.

Notice

• Send to: the local superintendent (your county school system's Home Instruction Coordinator).
• When: At least 15 days before starting home instruction; then an annual verification before the start of each school year.
• How often: annually (annual verification), plus notify of any change in status during the year.
• How: Submit the state Home Instruction Notification form (Form A) to your county school system; many counties also accept it online or by email.

Instruction time

Regular, thorough instruction during the school year, of sufficient duration (no set number of days or hours).

Required subjects

English, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Art, Music, Health, Physical education.

Records to keep

• A portfolio showing instruction in each required subject: instructional and reading materials, writing samples, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, and tests.
• College report cards or transcripts for any college courses taken (may substitute for portfolio materials for those courses).

Testing / evaluation

No required testing. A school system representative reviews your portfolio and discusses the program with you twice a year, at the end of each semester, at a mutually agreed time and place (no more than 3 reviews per school year). Standardized testing at the local public school is optional on request.

Parent qualifications

None; parents may also use tutors or other instructors, but remain responsible for compliance.

Also

• If a review finds instruction is not regular and thorough, the superintendent notifies you in writing and you have 30 days to show the deficiency is being corrected, or the child must be enrolled in school.
• Local school systems may not add requirements beyond the state regulations.
• Co-ops and hired tutors may supplement, but regular daily instruction of a group of children from different families by someone other than their parent may count as an unapproved nonpublic school.

What the notice must include

• Each child's full name, gender, date of birth, and current grade (race optional).
• Parent or guardian's name and address (phone and email optional).
• Certification that you have read and understand COMAR 13A.10.01.01-.05.
• Whether you want your child to take part in the public school standardized testing program.
• For each child: agreement to keep a portfolio and comply with COMAR 13A.10.01.01C, D, and E.
• Parent or guardian signature and date.

Checklist

• Submit the Home Instruction Notification form to your county school system: at least 15 days before starting home instruction.
• Keep a portfolio of work samples and materials in all eight required subjects: ongoing.
• Attend portfolio reviews with the school system: twice a year, at the end of each semester (at mutually agreed times).
• Submit annual verification that you are continuing home instruction: each year before the school year begins.
• Notify the superintendent if your child's home instruction status changes: within the school year, when it happens.

Home instruction supervised by a church-exempt or state-approved nonpublic school (umbrella) · Md. Code, Educ. § 7-301(a); COMAR 13A.10.01.05

You homeschool under the supervision of a nonpublic school holding an MSDE Certificate of Approval, a church-exempt nonpublic school, or an education ministry run by a bona fide church organization registered with MSDE. The umbrella provides conferences and materials and reports your child to the superintendent each year; the school system does not review your portfolio.

Notice

• Send to: the local superintendent (county Home Instruction Coordinator); the umbrella school also verifies enrollment with the superintendent annually.
• When: At least 15 days before starting home instruction.
• How often: annual verification is handled by the supervising school; notify of any change in status.
• How: Submit Home Instruction Notification form (Form A), selecting option B and naming the supervising school.

Instruction time

Regular, thorough instruction during the school year.

Required subjects

• Studies usually taught in public schools to children of the same age (as set by your umbrella).

Records to keep

• Whatever records your supervising school requires.

Testing / evaluation

None by the school system; the umbrella holds conferences with parents (church umbrellas) or assigns a teacher who issues progress reports and grades tests (approved nonpublic school umbrellas).

Parent qualifications

None.

Also

• Church umbrellas must provide a pre-enrollment conference, materials designed for home use, and conferences at appropriate intervals.

What the notice must include

• Each child's full name, gender, date of birth, and current grade (race optional).
• Parent or guardian's name and address.
• Certification that you have read and understand COMAR 13A.10.01.01-.05.
• Certification that you will homeschool under the supervision of a church-operated school/institution or a State Board-approved nonpublic school.
• Name and address of the supervising school.
• Parent or guardian signature and date.

Checklist

• Enroll with a church-operated or state-approved nonpublic school umbrella: before starting.
• Submit the Home Instruction Notification form naming your umbrella school: at least 15 days before starting home instruction.
• Meet your umbrella's conference and reporting requirements: ongoing, as the umbrella sets.