Frequently Asked Questions - the legal and logistical stuff

There are a number of questions we hear from those considering homeschooling or just starting out. We hope this list will answer some of the more frequent concerns.

Do I have to be a certified teacher to homeschool?

No. Maryland does not require that parents hold any kind of degree to educate their children.

I have been told I must use Abeka (Calvert, or any other program or packaged curriculum), but I'm not sure that is a good fit for us. (or) I'm not sure I can afford to homeschool, the programs are very expensive.

There is no required curriculum or program to homeschool. Homeschooling can be very expensive. It can also be very economical, even nearly free. Many people are told by well-meaning homeschoolers that they "must" use a specific curriculum or method. We suspect this is because they are trying to save you the time and frustration of looking through - and trying on - the seemingly endless choices while trying to find a good fit for your family. Unfortunately, this process is what pretty much everyone goes through. One size does not fit all; if it did, we would be public schooling.

Will my local school system provide curriculum or educational materials for us?

No. You are responsible for obtaining educational materials for your own child(ren).

Can I enroll my children in a virtual public school, such as K-12?

Yes and no. Yes, you can enroll them, if you feel that is a good approach for your child. However, Maryland does not recognize distance schools for homeschooling, so your process will be the same as it would be if you designed each lesson yourself (i.e. you will still be subject to the notification and review process).

*The Calvert School and Griggs University and International Academy, both brick and mortar private schools in Maryland, are approved to oversee distance education for their enrolled students.

Can I hire a professional educator to teach my children at home?

No. The parents or guardians are required to be the primary educators in homeschooling. This does not preclude outside classes such as music lessons, group PE classes, or taking classes at the local community college as a "dual enrollment" student.

Do I have to be Christian (or a member of a specific religious group) to homeschool?

No. Homeschooling is not a religious exemption; it is an option open to all parents of school-aged children.

Do I have to tell anyone we're homeschooling?

Yes. You must notify your county Board of Education at least 15 days before you begin officially homeschooling. "Official" refers to homeschooling children between 5 and 16 years old, the range of mandatory attendance in Maryland.

If you are removing your child(ren) from school, you must notify the Board 15 days before their last day of public or private school. If you are starting at the beginning of the school year, you must notify the county 15 days prior to the first day the public schools are in session.

This is a one-time notification; you do not need to file a new form again unless your status changes, e.g. you move, another child reaches mandatory attendance age, you remove another from school. Speak with your reviewer as to how they prefer to accomplish this.

Assurance of Consent forms (the notification form) are available from your local Board of Ed.

I have the Assurance of Consent form, but I don't understand Part C. I thought you couldn't use correspondence schools in Maryland? What is the difference between the two options?

Part C contains what we consider some unfortunate wording. You are correct - correspondence schools are not part of the picture here in Maryland, with the exceptions noted above. You need to convey the review option you wish to pursue:

Choice A is being reviewed by the county. Each county has a person (or several) who meets with homeschool families throughout the year and looks at samples of their work to determine if they are providing "regular, thorough instruction" in the subjects generally taught in publics schools for students of the same age.

Choice B is for those who have enrolled in an umbrella group for reviews. Umbrella groups in Maryland are, by definition, "bona fide church organizations". Thus, umbrella groups are exempt from having educational requirements dictated by the state. The requirements for participation in an umbrella group are defined by that group, however, and they may or may not have their own curricular requirements.

Do we have to join an umbrella group? Which umbrella should we join? Should we make sure our umbrella is accredited?

No, you do not need to join an umbrella group. You may opt to be reviewed, free of charge, through your local school system. Joining an umbrella is a personal decision and each family should contact umbrella groups to determine which, if any, is a good fit for them. There is no accreditation of non-public schools or umbrella groups recognized by the State of Maryland for the purpose of homeschooling.

Do I need to join any organization to homeschool? (or) Do I need legal representation?

No, you do not have to join or be a member of any organization to homeschool. You do not need a lawyer to homeschool.

Do my children have to take standardized tests?

No. You may opt into or out of standardized testing at your own discretion. However, you should know that standardized tests assume students have learned the subjects covered on the tests in a particular scope and sequence. This may not be the scope and sequence your family uses, so such testing may not hold any value for you.

How do I know my child(ren) is learning what they need to know? How do I know they have adequately learned in any given subject area?

There is no clearcut answer to this. Most homeschoolers can assess their children's understanding of a particular topic through their discussions and activities related to their areas of study. Some prefer to use packaged testing materials that are available with the curriculum they use. Some refer to the "What your Grader Needs to Know" book series or the MSDE website scope and sequence documentation for guidance. The bottom line is that you will decide how to determine mastery to your own satisfaction.

My child receives therapeutic services (e.g. speech, occupational or physical therapy) at school, can we continue this if we homeschool?

School-based health services may not be provided for homeschooled children as of 2008.

Can my child participate in other school-sponsored activities, such as sports, or take selected classes at our local school?

Participation in school-sponsored activities is solely at the discretion of the local school system.

I have received a letter from my County about my review and there is a laundry list of items I am to bring. Is this necessary?

No. No, no, no! The law states that you must provide a portfolio of materials, demonstrating that your child is receiving "regular, thorough instruction" in the areas generally taught in public schools (e.g. Language Arts, Social Studies, science, math, art, music, health and PE), and a materials list. Additionally, the law explicitly states that no local school system may add to these requirements.

What's the big deal if I provide all of the materials the reviewer demands? Won't it make my review easier?

This is an important point. Many reviewers ask for more than they are entitled to see. Because they are in a perceived position of authority, we feel that the request, in itself, is unlawful, though this point has not been adjudicated. Further, there is concern that compliance with these demands can and will result in the local school boards using the precedent to lobby for more demanding laws.

Please familiarize yourself with the actual requirements at Maryland State Department of Education website http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/13a/13a.10.01.01.htm

Does Maryland send my child a diploma when they complete their homeschool journey?

No. There is no one agency who awards diplomas for homeschoolers. Some umbrella groups may opt to award diplomas. You may award a diploma for your own children.

If your child needs an official diploma, they may need to take the exam for a GED.

What about college?

There are a number of ways homeschoolers enter college. First, many universities court homeschoolers because they have found that homeschooled students tend to be more successful in college. Your child will apply to universities using the same methods as any other applicant; generally, they will take the SAT, complete an application, write an essay and participate in the interview process. You may need to look over your child's educational career thus far and create a curriculum vitae (an educational resume) in lieu of an official transcript. Some umbrella groups have programs that will help you compile a transcript and will provide sealed copies for submission to universities.

Another road to university is to simply enroll in classes at the local community college, take classes and transfer with or without a degree. Transferring from a community college to a university, or applying to a university with an Associates degree generally exempts students from having to take the SAT, as they have demonstrated their ability in a college setting.

What about socialization?

HAHAHAHAHA! There is not enough space in this document to include a treatise on "socialization", though we do understand that this is, perhaps, the most frequently asked question you will hear when you decide to homeschool. It is such a popular topic that there are a number of scholarly studies and articles, and many thick books dedicated to it. Suffice it to say: your children will learn how to relate to other people in a variety of situations that have no relationship to their age cohort, a popularity hierarchy, or authority structure. Really, they will be fine and learn to stand in line and all those other things.

As far as socializing, however, there are a number of venues to socialize, for parents and children alike. Look into homeschool co-ops, classes, groups and events in your area. If you don't know where to begin to find other homeschoolers, consider joining online groups, such as

Mid-Shore Homeschoolers

Maryland Homeschool

or hanging out in your local library or at the park during school hours.