Homeschool Law in the United States of America: Maryland

" Maryland law, Education Article, §7-301, Annotated Code of Maryland, Compulsory Attendance, states that each child who resides in Maryland and is 5 years old or older and under 16 shall attend a public school regularly during the entire school year unless the child is otherwise receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public school to children of the same age. Maryland recognizes nonpublic schools and home instruction as alternatives to public school enrollment as a means for students to receive regular, thorough instruction."

"The procedures for homeschooling in Maryland are simple and straight forward. Parents do need to guard against "creeping regulation" which often comes with the literature sent by your local school system that outlines their procedure for monitoring homeschoolers in their district or during your yearly review. An example would be a form that instructs you to outline your educational plan, hours of instruction and so on. You may be asked to provide specific proof that your children are taking piano lessons, or To protect your rights, you must be familiar with our bylaw which we have provided in its entirety in the Legal & Legislative section on this website."

"The right to homeschool has been law in the State of Maryland since 1987. Regulations written by the Maryland Department of Education (COMAR 13A.10.01) guide the legal requirements of both homeschool parents and the local school boards who oversee homeschooling in their districts.

Once a parent notifies their local school board of their intent to homeschool, families become subject to review by the board's homeschool liaison. A homeschool portfolio review serves to verify that parents are indeed providing regular and thorough instruction. A careful reading of the law helps families to understand the freedoms and limitations of how they may homeschool in Maryland."

"Purpose. The purpose of this regulation is to establish a procedure to be used by the superintendent of each local school system to determine if a child participating in a home instruction program is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age."

"Upon request of a parent or guardian, a child receiving home instruction may participate in the regularly scheduled standardized testing programs that are administered in the public school the child is eligible to attend."

"A. Failure to Consent. If a parent or guardian does not agree to the requirements of Regulation .01B, C, and D, above, a child shall be enrolled promptly in a public school or nonpublic school as defined in COMAR 13A.09.09.02B(9).

B. Deficiencies in the Program. If a local superintendent determines on the review of the home instruction program or inspection of the portfolio that a child is not receiving a regular, thorough instruction program in conformity with Regulation .01C and D, the local superintendent shall notify the parent or guardian in writing of any deficiencies in the program."

"Upon application of a child for admission to a public school from a home instruction program, the local superintendent shall determine by an evaluation the placement of the child and any credits to be awarded toward high school graduation. The evaluation may include administration of standardized tests and examinations and interviews with the child."

"A parent or guardian may provide instruction for a child at home without compliance with the requirements of this regulation, other than the requirements of Regulations .01B(1)(b) and .04 of this chapter."