HOMESCHOOLING IN MASSACHUSETTS & HOMESCHOOL LAWS
You may be considering homeschooling your children in Massachusetts, but don’t know where to start regarding state laws. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to successfully set up your own homeschool program in accordance with Massachusetts law. We’ll cover the history of homeschooling in Massachusetts, laws and regulations, required notifications and filings, curriculum and testing choices, high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, graduation requirements, and special education services.
History of Homeschooling in Massachusetts
In MA, home schooling isn’t explicitly governed by its own Massachusetts law. A pivotal case in this regard is the Care and Protection of Charles & others from 1987, where the Supreme Judicial Court affirmed the compulsory attendance law. This decision aimed to strike a balance between the constitutional rights of families to homeschool and the state’s interest in ensuring its citizens receive an education in accordance with Massachusetts law.
Homeschooling laws in Massachusetts state it is the duty of the local school districts to approve home education plans, ensuring they match the thoroughness, efficiency, and progress standards of public schools within the same locality. Each city or town has the discretion to determine its own policy for oversight under state laws. Some entrust this responsibility to the school committee, while others assign it to school principals. Most frequently, however, home schooling oversight is managed by the superintendent or an assistant superintendent within the respective local school district rather than a school committee.
Now, approximately 15,000-20,000 students are estimated to be homeschooled in Massachusetts. Homeschool families today run the gamut – from deeply religious Christians customizing curriculums to match their faith, to secular gifted/special needs children dissatisfied with traditional schools.
As home schooling became more mainstream, the state enacted more accommodating state laws. A parent is no longer required to have educator licensing or a teaching background under Massachusetts law. Homeschool co ops and charters have launched giving families alternative options. Another Massachusetts law was enacted allowing homeschoolers to participate in public school electives, sports teams, and special education services. While more restrictive than some states, Massachusetts law has developed to embrace home education.
Current Massachusetts Homeschool Laws and Regulations
Under current Massachusetts law, homeschools are classified as private schools under the umbrella of “non-traditional” learning experience. Home educators must file a notice of intent for approval to open a school site with the school districts’ superintendent or school committee under Massachusetts law. Families are required to teach the state’s core academic standards but are allowed flexibility in choosing instructional materials under the law.
Key components of Massachusetts homeschooling requirements include:
Compulsory Attendance
All children must receive an education starting at elementary from age 6 until age 16 under Massachusetts law. This mandate under the law is fulfilled by attendance at either a public or private school, religious school or registered home-based private school and accredited homeschool programs in Massachusetts.
Families who fail to provide their child with an approved learning path through one of these options are violating the Massachusetts law for compulsory attendance and truancy.
Teacher Credentials
Massachusetts law does not require homeschool educators to have teaching licenses, college degrees, or other credentials for approval. The regulation and approval of teacher qualification is left to the discretion of private school administrators.
Notice Requirements
The first step that Massachusetts law requires is a letter of intent prior to establishing a home-based private school. Notification must be resubmitted if changing school districts under Massachusetts law.
Educational Mandates
According to the law, homeschool requirements in Massachusetts require instruction in subjects that “equip students for responsible citizenship” – covering at minimum reading, writing, US history, grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, physical education and good behavior.
Assessment & Reporting
Annual educational assessments in core subjects showing “reasonable academic student progress” must be filed with the superintendent’s office by October 1 according to homeschool requirements and the law. A homeschool must maintain attendance records and examples of work.
Homeschool laws in Massachusetts are some of the most detailed in the country, requiring families to follow specific guidelines to ensure educational standards are met. Massachusetts homeschooling laws stipulate that families must provide an annual notice of intent to the local school district and a plan for approval. According to these regulations, law equals a set of criteria designed to balance parental freedom in education with the state’s interest in maintaining educational quality.
In summary, Massachusetts homeschooling law gives families considerable freedom over curriculum, methodology, and child advancement – requiring only they cover the minimum academic areas and show their children are advancing year to year through annual assessment reports in compliance with laws for homeschooling in Massachusetts.
How to Set Up a Homeschool In Massachusetts
Families wishing to establish a home-based private school in the state must complete the following steps to comply with laws on homeschooling in Massachusetts:
Submit a letter of intent to homeschool to the local school superintendent’s office.
Provide an Education Plan. Notification alone does not authorize you to begin homeschooling. Removing a child of compulsory school age from school without an approved home schooling plan would cause the child to become truant under the law.
Once the local school district level receives a parent’s notification that they wish to educate their child at home, the school district must provide the district’s policy and process for approval of home schooling and ask for the proposed home schooling plan.
If the parent’s notification includes the proposed plan, the school district should still provide the parent with its policy and process for approval of home schooling plans and then proceed with its review of the proposed homeschooling plan in accordance with the law.
Teachers & Credentials Not Required
Massachusetts homeschooling laws does not require homeschool teachers to hold teaching licenses, college degrees or other credentials under the law. The school district may evaluate the competency of the individual to provide a quality education. The question of competency does not refer to college degrees or certifications but is more about general ability and about good morals.
Document Curriculum and Schedule
Create a high-level overview documenting the subjects to be taught, resources to be used, and general weekly/daily schedules mapping out structured learning time in accordance with Massachusetts homeschooling laws.
Learn the State Homeschool Regulations
Study the Massachusetts homeschooling law for your district, such as homeschooling laws in Boston Massachusetts, to ensure compliance regarding subjects to be taught, hours of instructions, teacher responsibilities, etc.
Set Up Record-keeping System
Establish a plan to track attendance, subjects taught, lesson plans, work samples, and assessments. Homeschools must keep detailed records allowing superintendents to review efforts during annual visits in accordance with the law.
Helpful information on how to homeschool in Massachusetts can be found in the following pages of this guide from the Massachusetts Home Learning Association.
When moving between school districts, families should promptly provide updated letters of intent to their new superintendents declaring their continued homeschool instruction. Include copies of recent records from the previous homeschool program to aid the transition in accordance with Massachusetts homeschooling laws.
Massachusetts homeschooling laws are comprehensive, ensuring that law equals both the right to educate children at home and the obligation to meet specific educational standards.
Maintaining Your Massachusetts Homeschool
To remain compliant with state law, the primary responsibilities for homeschooling families are:
Document number of instructional hours/days in each subject. Teach 900-990 hours per academic year.
Keep records of lessons, subjects taught, and work to verify completing required academic areas.
Keep copies of tests, papers, worksheets and other materials showing adequate progress.
Have students complete annual academic assessments through testing, portfolio review by a certified teacher, or a detailed progress report from a qualified evaluator.
Document grades, credits completed, and classes finished each school year.
Send required annual homeschooling progress reports to your district’s superintendent by October 1 covering the previous academic year in accordance with Massachusetts homeschooling laws.
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides helpful homeschool record-keeping templates to simplify mandatory documentation including attendance sheets, assessment forms, academic logs and more.
Strict record-keeping and reporting are key to satisfying the homeschool law. The Massachusetts HLA warns lax documentation as the most common reason for superintendent complaints/intervention. So stay organized!
Massachusetts Homeschool Reporting Requirements
State law does not mandate what proof is necessary, and it may vary from district to district but the following includes typical compliance with home education standards:
Submit academic assessment results for each homeschooled child by October 1 covering the previous school year. This shows their yearly progress.
Standardized test scores; written evaluation from a certified teacher after reviewing a detailed academic portfolio and student work samples; or a satisfactory progress report from an academic evaluator.
The homeschool is responsible for maintaining attendance records, logs of courses taught, and archive of student tests/assignments should the superintendent request to review records under the law.
Homeschool Testing In Massachusetts
Standardized testing is not required but recommended to satisfy assessment mandates. Commonly used scores include the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Stanford 10 Test, California Achievement Test or others. Many families appreciate the opportunity to evaluate how their homeschooler is progressing in comparison with other students at their grade level.
Funding Your Massachusetts Homeschool
Massachusetts provides no direct financial assistance to families electing to homeschool. All curriculum, activities, consultant fees and other expenses must be covered fully by parents.
However, there are a few options available to lower homeschooling costs:
Use Local Public School Services: Some MA districts allow homeschoolers to utilize resources at public schools like libraries, computer labs, special education services, art/music classes, and sports teams. Availability and policies differ across districts.
Access Remote Public Charters for Homeschoolers: MA has a handful of regional charter school programs created specifically for homeschoolers, like Fitchburg’s Sizer Homeschooling Program. These entities qualify for state education funds, which can help offset costs through a hybrid homeschool/charter arrangement.
Utilize Education Savings Plans: Homeschool expenses like curriculum, online classes, tutoring or supplies may qualify for pre-tax reimbursement through employer benefits like FSAs or HSAs which allow families to set aside funds tax-free earmarked for education costs.
Claim Tax Deductions for Homeschool Expenses: Review eligibility to deduct qualified homeschool expenses from Massachusetts state income taxes, which can provide families with modest tax savings.
While no funding is earmarked specifically for homeschools, exploring these options can help families trim expenses. The largest costs – parent time/effort – remain unavoidable. But a homeschool in Massachusetts can still offer better ROI through customization and flexibility.
Federal Tax Breaks
Homeschooling families may be eligible for certain federal tax benefits to help offset educational expenses. One option is a Coverdell Education Savings Account, which allows money to grow tax-free when used for qualified education costs. Homeschool parents might also be able to deduct a portion of mortgage interest or rent if part of the home is used regularly and exclusively for homeschooling. Finally, tax deductions could be available for required books, supplies, equipment and curricula used for homeschool instruction. To learn more about these potential tax advantages, homeschooling families should review the information and resources provided by the IRS.
Massachusetts Immunization Requirements
Under state law, all Massachusetts school students must receive standard immunizations for preventable contagious diseases like measles, polio, chickenpox and more. This includes children who are homeschooled.
Parents must ensure their homeschoolers stay current on all inoculations required for their age group on the state’s school immunization schedule. Homeschools assume responsibility comparable to public and private schools for monitoring and recording vaccinations in accordance with state laws and health policies.
The only exception is if parents obtain an official medical or religious-based exemption from the immunization requirements. Documents must be kept in the homeschool’s records. More details can be found in the Massachusetts school health manuals.
Standard childhood immunizations are critical preventing outbreaks. Homeschool regulations parallel public schools to ensure consistent statewide adherence and protection. Stay on schedule!
Massachusetts State Graduation Requirements
To earn a high school diploma in Massachusetts, homeschooled students must complete:
4 years of English Language Arts
4 years of Mathematics
3 years of History/Social Sciences
3 years of lab-based Science
2 years of the same Foreign Language
1 year of Arts
5 additional “core” courses (e.g. a business, career preparation, or technology course)
Electives to meet minimum total credits
Passing scores on state-approved competency determination tests like MCAS, SATs, etc. in core subjects
The total minimum credits needed to earn a diploma ranges 60-80 credits depending on the district requirements for secondary education. Homeschool students must cover the same robust college-prep curriculum. Carefully tracking credits earned via detailed transcripts is imperative.
Families have authority to issue their own homeschool diploma. Graduates may also take GED tests or enroll at local community colleges who can evaluate portfolios for degrees. Homeschoolers’ admission and academic performance into MA colleges will be assessed on merits comparable to public/private graduates.
Massachusetts Homeschool Charters
While the state does not have a formal statewide virtual charter school for homeschoolers, it does offer regional homeschool charter programs parents can utilize.
The largest Massachusetts homeschool charter is the Sizer School located in Fitchburg, which serves over 400 hybrid homeschoolers across Central MA and Metrowest. The school receives state education funding and offers a rich mix of in-person and virtual classes, tutoring support, special education services, standardized tests administration, attendance documentation and record-keeping.
Several additional smaller homeschool charter programs exist like the Marblehead Community Charter Public School. These functions akin to homeschool cooperatives but receive public funding.
Interest is growing in expanding homeschool charter options to offer alternative models. Currently, availability remains limited primarily outside major metropolitan areas. Homeschool parents should check with their local school district and charter networks to inquire if any homeschooling partnership or programs exist in their region. Participation can provide funding, resources, and helpful specialization.
Local Massachusetts Homeschooling Resources
In addition to the local Massachusetts homeschool charter schools discussed above, some other resources available include:
Massachusetts Home Learning Association (MHLA): Leading support network and advocacy group for MA homeschooling families providing legal help, news, guides, conferences, field trips, and social events.
Local Massachusetts Homeschool Groups by Region including co ops.
Numerous local Massachusetts homeschool organizations and cooperatives exist across MA tailored to different communities, interests, and needs. Joining helps families connect with other homeschoolers for idea-sharing, group classes, online learning, activities, advice, field trips, and state law.
Virtual Learning Connections: Website offering a diverse catalog of recorded and live online learning covering standard K-12 subjects, AP classes and electives. Open to all MA residents for free – useful for homeschoolers to supplement curriculum and instruction opportunities.
In summary, resources exist for MA families to network, collaborate and support each other in navigating home-based education. While privately run and funded, new homeschoolers don’t need to go it completely alone. Reach out to access help and openings to enhance your children’s learning adventure.
