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.
Although I generally blog on all options for one state in the same blog so that it is easier for those of you who are reading it, Maine has, what I find to be some unusual laws regarding home schooling. There are many states that allow you to home school as a private school. While there are particular requirements to meet, they are generally less than that of operating a home school as a home school. However, in Maine, the requirements to operate as a private school are numerous and so for the benefit of those who may want to do this, I have decided to blog on them separately. I will link them at the bottom of this blog. This blog deals with then, the requirements for option 1.
In Maine, the first option you have to legally home school your children is to operate your own home school. Children are required to attend school if they are 7 years old or under the age of 17. However, the law does provide for a child as young as 15 to stop attending school with the permission of both the parent and the school board.
Notice: Within 10 days of starting to home school, parents must file a one-time notice of intent with both the local Superintendent and Commissioner of Education. It should contain the following information:
*the name, signature and address of the parent/guardian
*the name and age of the student
*the date home instruction will or did begin
*a statement of assurance that home school will be held at least 175 days and will cover the following subjects: English/language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health, library skills, fine arts, Maine studies, in grades 1st-6th and these subjects and computer literacy in grades 7th-12th
*a statement of assurance that the parents will submit a year end assessment
By September 1st of the following year, parents must submit an annual assessment to both the local Superintendent and the Commissioner of Education along with a statement that the parents intend to continue the home schooling.
Records: Parents must keep copies of everything they send in because their records must be made available upon request.
Attendance: Students must attend school 175 days per year.
Teacher Qualifications: None
Testing: Parents may either 1) give the child a standardized test, 2) have the child take a local test or 3) have the child evaluated by a certified teacher, a local advisory board (selected by the local superintendent) or a home school group panel that includes a certified teacher.
Related Articles:
Homeschooling in Maine: Option 2
Resources:
HSLDA
Maine Department of Education Home Instruction Information
State Wide Support Groups
Homeschoolers of Maine
Regional Support Group Information