| MAINE HOMESCHOOL LAW
Compulsory School Age: 7 - 17 Maine state law offers two legal homeschooling options: 1) operate a homeschool or 2) operate a homeschool as a non-approved private school. -
The first option is to operate a homeschool. Under this option, a notice of intent must be filed with the local school board and also to the Commissioner of Education. This initial notice must be filed within 10 days of starting the homeschool program and a letter indicating the child's continued homeschooling must be submitted each year thereafter. The child must attend instruction for 175 days per year and subjects must include English, language arts, math, science, social studies, health and physical education, library skills, fine arts, Maine studies (for one grade between grades 6 and 12), and computer proficiency (for one grade between grades 7 and 12). Testing must be conducted annually and may be any of the following methods: 1) standardized test; 2) local test; or 3) evaluation performed by either a certified teacher, local advisory board selected by the superintendent, or a homeschool support group that includes a certified teacher. Any and all copies pertaining to the homeschool program should be kept until the child has completed the homeschool program. There are no requirements regarding parent/teacher qualifications. -
The second option under Maine statute is to operate a homeschool as part of a non-approved private school. Under this option, the non-approved private school must teach at least two students not related to one another. Notice must be given annually by October 1 by filing a letter with the Commissioner of Education. Children enrolled in an non-approved private school must attend 185 days or 875 hours of instruction per year. Required subjects include English (including, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar), math, science, American history, Maine history and geography, and government and citizenship. Teachers must be considered competent (competence determined and approved by the non-approved private school) and must issue four progress reports to parents each year. There are no regulations that require specific records to be kept or reported. View these websites for more information about Maine homeschool laws: Please note: This is a brief summary of Maine homeschool law and is presented for informative purposes only and not as legal advice. |
