Equivalent Instruction Private Schools

What is an equivalent instruction school? 

Under Maine law, this term refers to private schools that do not have basic school approval from the Maine Department of Education, but do allow students to meet compulsory attendance requirements if the school files a certificate of enrollment with the local superintendent where the student resides. This is outlined in 20-A M.R.S.§5001-A(3)(A)(2): “A student is credited with attendance at a private school only if a certificate showing the name, residence and attendance of the person at the school, signed by the person or persons in charge of the school, has been filed with the school officials of the administrative unit in which the student resides.” 

The Maine DOE has no knowledge or information about “equivalent instruction schools”, as they do not seek Department approval. Recognition should not be interpreted as assurance from Maine DOE that these schools follow the health and safety requirements required of approved schools, teacher certification or background check requirements, or that they provide instruction in all of the content areas of Maine Learning Results.  These schools may have a wide variety of internal policies and procedures, and they may have a physical campus or be entirely virtual. The Department has no knowledge, nor any opinion related to the safety, quality, or effectiveness of these private schools. Questions concerning “equivalent instruction schools” are best directed to the administrators of the schools. 

For more information, please refer to the Guidelines for Private Schools Recognized by the Department as Providing Equivalent Instruction.  The Department will provide an acknowledgment of the annual letter, a copy of which will be provided to any member of the public upon request, along with an explanatory statement about recognized schools in Maine. 

Schools seeking to be recognized by Maine DOE as providing equivalent instruction may provide an annual letter prior to October 1 to the Maine Commissioner of Education stating the intent to operate as such. Letters can be emailed to the School Approval & Enrollment Specialist or mailed to Maine Commissioner of Education, 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0023. 

Is home instruction the same as equivalent instruction?  

Equivalent instruction private schools are different from home instruction; a student is either enrolled in an equivalent instruction school or receiving home instruction. In home instruction, the parent submits a Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction and takes full responsibility for the child while the child is being provided home instruction—they legally direct the child's education by choosing the curriculum, facilitating the process and determining academic needs, even if they engage other persons or programs to provide instruction or complete the required annual assessment. For home instruction requirements and laws, please visit the Home Instruction webpage.