Legal/Homeschool Laws
Laws that regulate home education vary from state to state. It is important to understand the legal requirements in your state and to be aware of legislative and other legal issues that affect homeschoolers in your community. We've compiled resources that will help you become informed. Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and the vast majority of homeschoolers face no problems, you may find that you need legal assistance at some point in your homeschooling career. We've compiled a list of resources to help you find the support you need. And if you'd like to become more involved in working towards homeschooling freedoms, we discuss some of the issues facing homeschoolers that we hope you find compelling.
State Laws
Read the laws regulating home education in Maryland and browse through the case law and legal opinions relating to those laws, along with government publications relating to homeschooling and summaries of the laws.
Forms
Which forms do you need to fill out? Where can you get them? Here is a list of useful forms for homeschooling in Maryland.
Legal Support
If you need legal information or have run into a legal situation regarding your decision to homeschool, these resources will be helpful.
Lobbying Groups
A listing of local and national lobbying groups and information on how you can become involved in the political process to ensure the freedom to homeschool is protected.
Attorneys
When searching for an attorney, it is helpful to know whether he or she has experience working with homeschoolers and is interested in protecting the right to homeschool.
Legal Issues
Is homeschooling legal? Which laws pertain to homeschoolers and which don't? How do homeschoolers protect their rights to freely educate their children and to preserve their privacy?
Government Resources
A listing of local and state government resources, including your state's Department of Education, school districts, and Senate and House of Representative information.
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13A.10.01.04 Placement in Public School.
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.
Maryland State Home School Notification
This is a blank printable form for Maryland State Home School Notification.
Maryland Home Education Association (MHEA)
Maryland Home Education Association (MHEA) serves and supports families of all religious, philosophical, and ethnic persuasions. They provide information about homeschooling and networking opportunities.
The Legalities of Homeschooling in Maryland
Here you will find information any current legislation that may affect homeschool environment in Maryland. Also includes registration and homeschool information by county.
Know the Law, Act on the Law
A look at some of the ways that homeschoolers in different counties in Maryland have been challenged when attempting to comply with the laws regulating home education.
13A.10.01.02 Voluntary Participation in Standardized Testing.
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.
Maryland Home School Laws from HSLDA
The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a brief summary of the homeschooling laws in Maryland. Includes a link to a legal analysis of laws relating to homeschooling in Maryland.
Homeschooling FAQ for Unschoolers in Maryland
This summary of the homeschool laws and climate in Maryland is geared towards unschoolers.
13A.10.01.03 Noncompliance with Requirements.
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 loc...
Homeschool Attorneys in Maryland
These attorneys have indicated that they are willing to provide legal information, consult with or represent homeschoolers on homeschooling or other legal issues they may have in their states. Most of these attorneys homeschool or have homeschooled their own children.
Maryland State Department of Education
Marylandpublicschools.org is the online source for information on Maryland’s preK-12 public education, public libraries, and rehabilitation services.
13A.10.01.01 Home Instruction Program.
A. 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.
B. Written Agreement.
(1) A parent or guardian who chooses to teach his or her child at home shall initially sign a statement on a form prescribe...
13A.10.01.05 Home Instruction Under Supervision of Nonpublic School.
A. 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, if that instruction is offered through correspondence courses and is under the supervision of a:
(1) School or institution offering an educational program operated by a bona fide church organization, and the supervision includes at a minimum all of the following components:
(a) Preen...
§ 7-301. Attendance and Discipline of Students.
a) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each child who resides in this State 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 schools to children of the same age ...
Nonpublic Schools: Home Instruction Fact Sheet
This fact sheet regarding home instruction in Maryland is provided by the Maryland State Department of Education.
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Featured Resources
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Greenleaf Press
Greenleaf Press is a small family-owned and operated publisher and supplier of quality books for children. They are committed to "twaddle-free", living books, and approach teaching history to children using biography and chronology. You will find sec...
Considering God's Creation
Life science truly comes alive with this 270-page lap-book style notebook for 2nd-7th graders. A Charlotte Mason type discovery approach is easily implemented with creative activities, music and topical Bible studies, making this program a perfect ch...
Discover Your Children's Gifts
This comprehensive work on children's learning styles and creativity expression is a tremendous help to parents as they begin homeschooling. The authors discuss how God gifts children in different ways with different ways of learning and expression. ...
Morning by Morning : How We Home-Schooled Our African-American Sons to the Ivy League
Home schooling has long been regarded as a last resort, particularly by African-American families. But in this inspirational and practical memoir, Paula Penn-Nabrit shares her intimate experiences of home-schooling her three sons, Charles, Damon, and...
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