How to homeschool in Maine

Home instruction program · 20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A(3)(A)(4)

The parent teaches the child at home and takes full responsibility for the program. You file a Notice of Intent with your local superintendent and the Maine Department of Education (the online portal reaches both), and each later year you file again with the prior year's assessment attached.

Notice

• Send to: the superintendent of the school administrative unit where you live and the Commissioner of Education (one submission through the Maine DOE Home Instruction Portal notifies both; paper forms go to the superintendent's office only).
• When: First year: within 10 calendar days of beginning home instruction (Maine DOE says within 10 days of withdrawing from school, or by September 1 if starting in the fall). Each later year: on or before September 1.
• How often: annually.
• How: Online through the Maine DOE Home Instruction Portal, or mail/hand-deliver the Notice of Intent form to your resident superintendent's office.

Instruction time

At least 175 days per year.

Required subjects

• English and language arts.
• Math.
• Science.
• Social studies.
• Physical education.
• Health education.
• Library skills.
• Fine arts.
• Maine studies (in at least one grade from 6 to 12).
• Computer proficiency (at one grade level from 7 to 12).

Records to keep

• Copies of every Notice of Intent and assessment you file (keep them until home instruction ends; the commissioner may ask to see them).

Testing / evaluation

Annually, using one of: (1) a standardized achievement test given through your school district or another arrangement approved by the commissioner; (2) a test made by local school officials (agreed to before you file); (3) review and acceptance of progress by a person holding a current Maine teacher's certificate; (4) review of a portfolio by a local homeschool support group that includes a Maine-certified teacher or administrator; or (5) review by a local advisory board chosen by the superintendent (agreed to before you file). Not required with your first-ever notice; a copy goes with each later year's notice.

Parent qualifications

None.

Also

• If home instruction ends for a child of compulsory age, the child must enroll in public school or another approved equivalent-instruction option.
• Tell the superintendent's office about mid-year changes (stopping home instruction, graduating, or moving).
• Only one notice per child per school year (Maine's school year runs July 1 to June 30).

What the notice must include

• Parent or guardian's name, signature, and address.
• Child's name and age.
• Date the home instruction program begins.
• Assurance of at least 175 days of instruction per year in the required subjects.
• Assurance that the child's academic progress will be assessed annually using one of the approved assessment options.
• Continuing years: a statement of intent to continue plus a copy of one annual assessment from the prior year.

Checklist

• File first-year Notice of Intent with your superintendent and the Maine DOE (online portal reaches both): within 10 calendar days of starting home instruction.
• Teach at least 175 days covering the required subjects: ongoing through the school year.
• Complete an annual assessment (test, certified-teacher review, support-group portfolio review, or advisory board): each year, before the next September 1 filing.
• File a new Notice of Intent with a copy of the prior year's assessment: each subsequent year by September 1.
• Keep copies of all notices and assessments: ongoing, until home instruction ends.

Recognized equivalent instruction private school (REPS) · 20-A M.R.S. § 5001-A(3)(A)(1)-(2); Maine DOE guidelines for private schools recognized as providing equivalent instruction

Some homeschooling families join together to run a small private school that the Maine DOE recognizes as providing equivalent instruction. The school, not each parent, files an annual letter with the commissioner and reports its students to their superintendents. Maine DOE treats this as separate from home instruction: a child is either enrolled in such a school or in home instruction.

Notice

• Send to: the Commissioner of Education (annual letter) and the superintendent of each student's home school administrative unit (enrollment report).
• When: Within 2 weeks after the school opens, or by October 1, whichever comes first.
• How often: annually.
• How: Letter signed by the school's chief administrative officer, emailed to Maine DOE's School Approval & Enrollment Specialist or mailed to the Commissioner, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023; written enrollment report to each superintendent.

Instruction time

At least 175 days or 875 hours per year.

Required subjects

• Reading, writing, spelling, and grammar (in English).
• Math.
• Science.
• American history.
• Maine history and geography.
• Civil government, including the privilege and responsibility of citizenship.
• Health education.
• Fine arts.

Records to keep

• Attendance records (an attendance certificate must be filed with the superintendent for the child to receive attendance credit).
• Progress reports given to parents (at least 4 per year) and assessment results.

Testing / evaluation

School chooses its own assessment; results and methods must be shared with parents, plus at least 4 progress reports a year.

Parent qualifications

Teachers must be examined and approved for competency by the school's administration; the letter must state whether staff have a DOE clearance or criminal history records review.

Also

• Annually notify parents in writing of the school's commitment to meet the DOE guidelines.

What the notice must include

• Statement that the school teaches, in English, reading, writing, spelling, grammar, math, science, American history, Maine history and geography, civil government (including the privilege and responsibility of citizenship), health education, and fine arts.
• Statement that all teachers have been examined and approved for competency by the school, and whether staff have a Department clearance or criminal history records review.
• Statement that the school operates at least 175 days or 875 hours.
• Statement that the school complies with state and local fire, health, and safety laws.
• Statement that parents receive assessment information (methods, subjects, grade levels, results) and progress reports at least 4 times a year.
• Statement that the school will report students to superintendents.
• To each superintendent: names, residences, and grade levels of the students attending.

Checklist

• School sends annual letter of intent to the Commissioner of Education: within 2 weeks after school opens or by October 1, whichever is first.
• School reports students' names, residences, and grades to each superintendent: within 2 weeks after school opens or by October 1, whichever is first; update as needed.
• Give parents progress reports: at least 4 times a year.