L.D. 160, An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Home Instruction, was approved by the 121st Maine Legislature and signed by Governor Baldacci on May 16, 2003. This law applies to homeschooling for the 2003-04 school year and beyond.

What Has Changed?

• Parents/guardians wishing to homeschool their children in Maine for the first time will file a “Notice of Intent” instead of a state application. Parents/Guardians who homeschooled their children in Maine will file a “Subsequent Year Letter”.  The “Notice of Intent”, and/or the “Subsequent Year Letter”, which shall be filed with the Commissioner and the local Superintendent of schools within 10 calendar days of the beginning of home instruction, shall contain the following:

1.       The name, signature and address of the student’s parent or guardian;

2.     The name and age of the student;

3.     The date the home instruction program will begin;

4.     A statement of assurance that indicates the home instruction program will provide at least 175 days annually of instruction and will provide instruction in the following subject areas: English and language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health education, library skills, fine arts, and in at least one grade from grade 6-12, Maine studies. At one grade level from grade 7 to 12, the student will demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers; and

5.     A statement of assurance that indicates that the home instruction program will include an annual assessment of the student’s academic progress using one of the types of assessment in accordance with existing regulations. To include:

                                                              i.      a standardized achievement test; or

                                                           ii.      a test developed by the school officials of the administrative unit in which the student resides; or

                                                         iii.      a review and acceptance of the student’s progress by an identified individual who holds a current Maine teacher’s certificate; or

                                                          iv.      a review and acceptance of the student’s progress based on, but not limited to, a presentation of an educational portfolio of the student to a local area homeschooling support group whose membership for this purpose includes a currently certified Maine teacher or administrator; or

                                                            v.      a review and acceptance of the student’s progress by a local advisory board selected by the superintendent of the administrative unit in which the student resides.

• Parents/guardians may list more than one child on the “Notice of Intent” or the “Subsequent Year Letter” and the annual assessments.

• The Department will not be sending to parents/guardians assessment cover letters or letters of approval.

A sample “Notice of Intent” and “Subsequent Year Letter” can be located on the Department of Education’s website at www.maine.gov/education/hs. Parents/guardians should feel free to develop their own format for the “Notice of Intent”.

What Has Not Changed

• The annual assessment must still be submitted to the Department of Education and the local Superintendent of Schools. The assessment options remain the same.

• If you registered with the Department of Education to homeschool your child(ren) during 2007-08, then you need to enclose a copy of the assessment for 2007-08 along with your “Subsequent Year Letter” for 2008-09.

A list of homeschooling resources can still be located on the Department of Education’s website at wwww.maine.gov/education/hs.

The annual assessment (only for those students who were registered with the State of Maine to homeschool during the 2007-08 school year) and the “Subsequent Year Letter” should be sent to:

Edwin N. Kastuck, Ph.D.

Department of Education

#23 State House Station

Augusta, ME  04333

& your local Superintendent of Schools

FMI – contact Edwin N. Kastuck, Ph.D. at edwin.kastuck@maine.gov or by phone at (207) 624-6776.