A parent or guardian who chooses
to teach a child at home must initially complete an
MCPS
Home Schooling Notification Form. The form must be submitted
to the above address at least 15 days before the beginning
of a home schooling program. Each year thereafter, a
parent or guardian needs to verify the continuation
of home schooling and notify the Department of Student
Services or their supervising nonpublic institution
if there is a change in home schooling status during
the school year.
The home schooling program must
be under the supervision of either the student’s local
school system or a nonpublic entity that is registered
with the Maryland
State Department of Education (MSDE). A home schooling
program under the supervision of MCPS will be reviewed
by MCPS staff at the end of each semester. The program
shall be delivered by the parent or guardian and include
instruction in English, mathematics, science, social
studies, art, music, health, and physical education.
A home schooling program under the supervision of a
nonpublic entity registered with MSDE will not be reviewed
by MCPS.
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Do I need to set up a classroom in my home?
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No, but you need to provide an area that includes
a desk or work space with suitable lighting and
ventilation. Resource and instructional material
should be available to your child.
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Must the parent/guardian be the teacher or can
a tutor be hired to take care of the instruction?
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The law is quite
clear that the parent/guardian is to be the primary
provider of the instruction. Other adults can assist
with special areas of interest, but not replace
the parent. The teaching by another adult or group
of adults constitutes a school that must seek accreditation
approval through the Maryland State Department of
Education.
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Am I required to be a certified teacher?
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No, not under
present regulations.
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Am I obliged to follow the public school calendar?
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You need to specify
the hours, days, and length of your instructional
year during the program review. Weekend, evening
hours, and summertime also may be a part of the
schedule if you desire. A minimum of 180 days (based
on 5 hours of instruction per day, it would be 900
hours) per year of instruction is expected.
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Should I develop a planning book for instruction:
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Evidence of a
planning book is included as part of the program
review.
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Should I keep a record of attendance and evaluations/grades
given to my child?
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Yes
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What areas of instruction are mandatory in my
program?
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Evidence of instruction
in all of the following areas is required: Reading,
Math, English/Language Arts, Science, Social Studies,
Spelling, Art, Music, Health, and Physical Education.
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How often are the program reviews?
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Montgomery County
conducts 2 reviews each school year, at the end
of the first and second semester. You will receive
a letter with a date, time and what to bring for
your review.
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What happens if the school system personnel are
dissatisfied with the home schooling program?
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If there are deficiencies
in the program resulting in the child not receiving
a regular, thorough instructional program conforming
with the law, the parent will be notified of the
deficiency and must provide evidence within 30 days
that the deficiency has been corrected. If the deficiency
is not corrected, the child must be enrolled in
a public or private school.
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What sample of my child’s work should be available
during the program review?
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Examples of the child’s writing,
worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, and tests
must be saved for the review. In addition, work
should be dated as it is completed.
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What would the process be if I should decide to
place my child back in school at some future date?
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The parent should
call the school and set up a meeting with the principal
or his designee to review the student’s home schooling
portfolio. The principal, based on the portfolio
will determine if testing is needed in any subject
area. The principal will make the final decision
as to grade placement.
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Will a high school diploma be issued by Montgomery
County Public Schools if I elect to have my child
remain on a home schooling program through grade
12?
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No
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Can a student on Home Schooling receive any services
from Montgomery County Public Schools?
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Children with
disabilities who are home schooled do not have an
individual entitlement to special education services.
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May my child participate in the standardized testing
program offered by the school system even though
he/she is not enrolled?
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Yes. Parents should
call their child’s designated MCPS school to make
arrangements. Parents are reminded that not each
grade level is tested each year.
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Can a child on home schooling participate in extracurricular
activities at the MCPS school (i.e. band, football,
foreign language, etc.)?
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No.
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