This is not legal advice. As someone who lives in a state that is highly regulated, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to advocate for yourself and make a point to know your state laws. While the school district will most likely provide you with a printed copy of the laws and regulations for home schooling, a local home schooling group can be a valuable asset when it comes to navigating your way through the system.
Your only option to home school your child in Massachussetts, is to obtain approval in advance by the local school committee or superintendent. This makes it sound as if the local school authority has the right to deny or approve your home school arbitrarily however, HSLDA notes the following precedents set by various court cases in Massachusetts:
1. The school has the authority to examine the competency of educating their own children BUT may not require certification, advanced degrees, or college degrees.
2. The school committee must be allowed to examine the textbooks and lesson plans (if they request) but only to compare the materials with that of the local public school. They may not dictate the manner in which subjects should be taught.
3. The school committee may request information about the number of hours and days that you home school.
4. The school committee may require periodic standardized testing. They may say when and what type of test should be taken, but only in consultation with the parents. Other methods of evaluation, such as progress reports, home visits, or written evaluations may be substituted for the standardized testing as mutually agreed upon by the school district and the parents.
There have also been numerous other rulings that state the home schooling is a parental right, and that it is in the interest of all parties for school districts to approve home education programs. In other words, the school committee cannot arbitrarily deny someone to home school. In order to deny a request they have to prove that the home school is worse than the public school in the local town.
Compulsory Attendance: Your child must be in school, (or you must begin filing paperwork), the year your child is 6 by December 31. Compulsory attendance ends at age 16.
Required Days: There are no required days, however, the school board will use the public school’s schedule to compare your program. Public school is in session for 180 days; or 900 hours at the elementary level and 990 hours at the secondary level.
Required Subjects: Reading, Writing, English language, and grammar, geography, math, drawing, music, history and Constitution of the United States, duties of citizenship, health (including CPR), physical education and good behavior.
Teacher Qualifications: None
Testing: Parents have two choices. They can submit standardized tests results. The school board does have the right to insist that a third party administer the standardized test. Parents can insist on an alternative form of assessment. This would usually include progress reports, dated work samples, portfolio review, or an assessment by a certified teacher of the parent’s choice.
Resources:
State Support Groups
Massachusetts Home Learning Association
Regional support here.