Maine (ME) State - Homeschooling Laws and Regulations

Homeschooling is legal in every American state.  The Department of Education states, "Parents in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have the option to home school their children" (Department of Education, NCES). School attendance is compulsory for all children; however, parents have the legal right to withdrawal their children from government schools to enroll them in qualified private schools or to educate their children at home.  This is only proper considering the fact that the duty and the right to educate the next generation were appointed by God to parents even before God created governments.

Each state has laws that govern matters such as how parents are to declare their intention to homeschool and what topics must be included in your home-education program.  Some states require periodic standardized tests and more formal records be maintained. One of the great benefits of homeschooling is the liberty of homeschooling parents to choose their own curriculum.  GETTING STARTED CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING, BUT MULTITUDES OF PARENTS ARE HOMESCHOOLING AND SO CAN YOU!  It is my pleasure to help your research efforts.  Below are links to key government and non-government pages.

Maine:  "Individual families who are planning to instruct their own children shall provide information to the Commissioner and to the Superintendent of the public school administrative unit where the family resides. This information will enable the Commissioner to determine if the children are receiving equivalent instruction for the purposes of compliance with the compulsory attendance law. Chap. 130, Rules for Equivalent Instruction Through Home Instruction. By way of the Application for Equivalent Instruction Through Home Instruction, parents agree to provide competent instructor, defined as either a tutor holding or eligible to hold a Maine teaching certificate or a tutor who will be assisted by a satisfactory support system. The support system is provided by a Maine certified teacher, a public or private school in Maine, another family conducting a home instruction program for at least one year, or other support system such as a local home school support group. The instructional day will be of adequate length of time to accomplish the proposed educational program. The instructional year will meet at least 175 days. Instruction will be provided in English Language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health education, library skills, fine arts, and, in at least one grade between grades 6 and 12, Maine studies. Additionally, at one grade level between grades 7-12, the student will demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers. Instructional materials and textbooks must be available and adequate. A plan of assessment must measure the student's academic abilities and progress at least four times each year. Records must be kept and they must be made available to the Commissioner upon request. There will be an annual assessment of the student's progress. Results of the assessment are sent to the local school superintendent and the state department of education. Students in grades 4,8, and 11 must participate in the Maine Educational Assessment at the local school." (Source:  "State Regulation of Private Schools," Maine, by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Non-Public Education (2000).)

LINKS TO HELPFUL SITES

• http://www.maine.gov/education/hs/index.html

• http://www.maine.gov/education/hs/HomeStudyInfoSheet.htm

• http://www.maine.gov/education/hs/resources.htm

• GED 2002 Information and Resources

• Statutes: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/20-A/title20-Asec5001-A.html

Counties

Disclaimer:  Balancing the Sword makes no claims about the timeliness nor the completeness of the links or legal information posted.  These homeschooling laws and legal information are being provided free of charge.  Postings of rules and regulations are subject to change.  Seek the advice of other home-educating parents or homeschooling organizations in your area for more help or contact your county superintendent of schools.  Plan to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool with your county superintendent or child's current principal.  (This document may also be known as an Affidavit of Intent, a Letter of Intent, a Notification of Intent, or a Declaration of Intent.  Sample from Tennessee.)   

• To Homeschooling Laws per State
• To Homeschooling Page
• To Homeschooling Organizations
• To National Homeschool Conventions List
• To Homeschooling Speakers and Workshop Leaders
• To Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
• Please email me if you find a broken link.

Homeschooling Conventions in Maine (ME)
Conferences, Expos, and Book Fairs

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