For various reasons, many parents decide to home school their children. In a case
where parents have decided to home school, you should ensure that the home schooling
is properly approved and the parents are aware of the services their child is
entitled to.
In order to home school, parents submit an application to the superintendent
(which is submitted to local school board) and the State DOE for Commissioner
approval. A parent may begin to home school once the application has been submitted
to the DOE and need not wait for approval to start. 20-A MRSA 5001-A(3)
Home schooled students must have access to and be able to participate in the
following educational programs/services so long as certain requirements are
met regarding notice and school rules:
- Special Education Services
- Cocurricular Activities
- Extracurricular Activities
- Regular classes (can be specific classes on specific days)
- Use school facilities and equipment
- Use of school textbooks and library books. See 20-A MRSA 5021
To learn more about a specific home school policy, you should check with the
local school district. Each school administrative unit must have a home school policy
on file with DOE.
20-A MRSA 5024, see Maine
DOE Regulations, Chapter 130.
