Compulsory Attendance

The law states that “Every child between the minimum and maximum ages established for school attendance by the board of education,” must attend school. In Massachusetts, compulsory attendance begins the calendar year in which your child turns 6 and ends at the age of 16. The word “homeschooling” does not appear in any statute in Massachusetts which places homeschoolers into the “otherwise educated” category.

Requirements under Charles and Brunelle

There are no laws to specifically regulate homeschooling in Massachusetts. Instead, homeschoolers must look to what is called case law, specifically the Charles and Brunelle rulings. According to Charles, there are four pieces of information that a school district can (not must) request:

An education plan which simply provides a brief description of the proposed curriculum and the length of the homeschooling year may be requested. Unlike some other states, Massachusetts does not have a state approved curriculum that homeschoolers must use. This freedom allows homeschoolers to choose a curriculum that best suits the needs of their child. Your education plan also does not need to duplicate the public school system. A sample education plan can be seen at the Advocates for Home Education in Massachusetts website.

According to the Charles ruling “…Certification would not appropriately be required for parents under a home school proposal…nor must the parents have college or advanced academic degrees.” The Massachusetts General Laws chapter 71, section 1 states that teachers “shall be of competent ability and good morals.” To comply, parents can simply state in their plan that they are of competent ability and good morals or they can list their academic credentials if they wish.

A review of materials, texts and resources, but only to determine the subjects to be taught and the grade level of the child is also an allowable request. The Brunelle ruling indicated the courts understanding that “…some of the most effective curricular materials…may not be tangible.” The majority of homeschooling parents simply provide either a list of the texts, materials and resources they intend to use or photocopies of the table of contents section of their textbooks.

One mutually agreed upon method of assessment may be requested annually. While Charles does allow for school district to use standardized testing as a measure of acdemic progress at the end of the school year, they are not required to take the statewide MCAS test required under No Child Left Behind. The other assessment options available to homeschooling families include portfolios, dated work samples and narrative progress reports however, under the Brunelle decision, home visits may not be required.

Important Considerations

* It is important to know your district’s policies as well as familiarizing yourself with the case laws in order to be your own advocate.
* Once you have submitted your education plan you have fulfilled your legal obligation to the district. You should keep all contact with your district in writing and always send your education plan to your district by way of certified mail with return receipt requested.
* Some towns will send you an approval letter and some won’t. It is not necessary to receive an approval letter, however some businesses may ask you for one in order to extend their educator discounts to you.

Massachusetts Home Learning Association

In conclusion, homeschooling in Massachusetts is fairly easy if one adheres to the guidelines outlined in the case laws. An educational plan, list of curricular materials, competency of the parent as an instructor and a method of assessment all should be considered when planning a homeschool program. For more information, or to connect with a local support group visit Massachusetts Home Learning Association.

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An essential part of education for most parents is developing an appreciation for art and creativity in their child. In this aspect, many public schools have cut funding for the arts, while homeschool programs work ideally. These programs encourage artistic talent in your child as well as enhancing their retention and learning ability. If your child is interested in learning about astronomy, you can focus the learning environment on the stars from the comfort of your home with the help of Internet.

Homeschool programs are a great option especially for those parents who to give their children a complete education with safety. It allows the parent to tailor the study schedule according to the needs of their children. Curricula for Homeschool programs vary by method but tend to be less costly. Inculcating a child’s moral values, which is just as important as academic results, comes easier as well.

Generally in schools it is quite impossible to tailor a specific teaching schedule for each child because a teacher has to teach 40-50 students at the same time. But if you choose the homeschool option, you may give special attention to your child and easily cater to all the study needs of your child. Homeschools programs can cater to your religious and moral views as well.

Homeschool programs are also beneficial for those individuals who are fond of study but cannot attend an institutional high school due to personal problems, financial troubles, or poor health. Indeed it can be a great alternative for those who are keen on finding more lucrative career opportunities.

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1.

Scouting. Scouting offers not only the chance to meet kids with similar interests but also to teach survival and life ski9lls. Kids learn to do fun things like build a campfire, read a compass, and make useful tools out of common items. These same kids also learn about CPR, first aid, and different forms of communication in an emergency.

2.

Sports. Kids who like to move and shake need an outlet. One such outlet is community sports teams. Just like public school teams, community leagues have practices, schedules of games, and tournaments. In addition, community teams play during the summer so kids don’t get lazy and out of shape for two months.

3.

Seminars. These can be turned into field trips for school credit as well. At the local zoo or museum, experts teach about caring for animals and how to appreciate art and literature. They are used to conducting seminars for school children to make the presentation more hands-on and interesting.

4.

Theater groups. Most cities have a local theater group for kids. They can audition for several plays performed throughout the year. Children interested in drama and the stage can stretch their acting chops. Check with the state to see if these plays can qualify as credit for part of the child’s curriculum requirement.

5.

Community activities. The one thing that kids need to learn is how to serve others. We are a nation of people who work together to get things accomplished. Community service teaches humility, patience, and a respect for all people. Kids can participate in soup kitchens, food banks, nursing homes, or create their own community project to implement.

6.

Music lessons. Many public schools are cutting back funding to creative arts programs like art classes and music. Learning to play an instrument or sing is a part of a well rounded education. Children that show an interest in these subjects can be signed up for lessons with a local instructor. Get together with other home school households and the instructor may give a discounted rate to the group.

No shortage of activities exists for home schooled children. In fact, opportunities for them are increased because of the lack of time constraints involved in a public school education.

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There are parents who would respond with a big “yes.” One difficulty that children with special needs have is the necessary time and attention to make education possible. Each state offers resources for parents to mainstream their special children. Some offer more and some less. In the end, it is up to parents to see that their children get what they need to succeed.

What any child is entitled to is an excellent education. For too long, parents and children have settled for a mediocre education because that was what public school offered. Home schooling has changed that. The evidence of the success of home schooling is seen in the lives of special needs children.

Let’s look at attention deficit disorder. It is considered by the school system to be a special need. Children have a hard time concentrating and keeping still. School work that is not challenging enough just increases the anxiety. This situation can be resolved through home study.

No, being home schooled doesn’t provide an instant fix for educational problems. It merely allows a child with special needs to learn in a more relaxed environment and at a pace that suits them. If reaching them requires three hours one day and four the next, a home school curriculum works with the child. Their grades won’t suffer because they can’t keep up in a traditional classroom.

Parents know their children better than anyone. No one else will take the time that is warranted to keep him or her on track with their education. Your child may be a visual learner. In a classroom of thirty students, it is hard to create a lesson that will challenge both the visual learner and those who can read and comprehend. It isn’t enough time.

With the help of tutors (if needed) and counselors, students with special needs enjoy a fulfilling educational experience at home. No longer do they have to suffer through being picked on or frustration because they “just don’t get it.” The home school environment is conducive to helping them learn the way that feels comfortable to them.

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There are many reasons why parents choose to home school. One reason is religious freedom. We aren’t talking about religious persecution, but the right to integrate church and state. For these parents, the basis of their life is the spiritual. Without it, education will not be complete.

A Christian curriculum adds classes that deal with the Bible and study of it. Direction in curricula and the continuing decision to home school are made with forethought and prayer. Each day of school may begin with prayer. This is nothing new for homes with a strong religious base, but it becomes a part of the school day to show children that God wants to be a part of their education.

Parents make the decision to home school together. Everything from who will teach what subject to how to improve the academic performances of the children is discussed as a family unit. One parent is not left to conduct the entire affair while the other remains detached.

All home schooling classes still comply with the state and federal guidelines. Complete Christian home school programs have taken the guesswork about that out of the equation and left you with required courses of study plus biblical education classes for a well rounded student. Children are taught responsibility, love for life, respect for others, and social and community issues from a Biblical perspective.

Christian home schoolers have their own network of resources. You can reach other Christian parents and discuss the mutual challenges faced through home schooling. One thing that lessens the load is the fact that they control the influences of other religious on their children.

In public schools, there is no right or wrong religion, but all are explored. Many Christian parents are not comfortable with their children exploring other religions. In a home school environment, the kids get to delve into an in-depth study of their own religion. This is not to bash other religions, but to emphasize the importance of their personal beliefs to their children.

A Christian child is not drilled on the Bible all day in a Christian home school curriculum. Instead, their religious beliefs are given a place of importance that can’t be attained in public school. Parents are more comfortable with the teaching because their children are exposed to the spiritual side of life as a part of the educational process.

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What is your philosophy of teaching? Many parents may think that they don’t have one but if you have a reason for taking your child out of public school, then you do. The philosophy is directly related to those reasons. You want to influence change that will give your child a better education. The public school is not doing a satisfactory job in your opinion or you would be considering the option of teaching your children at home.

There are several curriculum plans in existence today. Each is based on a different philosophy of teaching. Some curriculums are less stringent which allows for children to experience a variety of subjects and teaching structures. Children can experiment with their learning process to find what fits.

Other programs are quite rigid. Every aspect of each subject is planned down to the day as to what will be taught and in what order. For the new home schooling parent, this takes the guesswork and headache out of the structure of the learning process.

Home school curricula are not just based on academics, but religion. Spiritual components of education resulted in Christian home schooling. These programs comply with the state requirements but emphasize Biblical education.

Once parents become comfortable with home schooling, they can move from a rigid program to a less structured one or a curriculum guide. Curriculum guides are cheaper but only serve as rough guidelines. The parents still have to purchase worksheets, study guides, and other materials for teaching. This is not a concern with complete packages because they include everything for your dollar.

Some curricula have an online component as well. Part of the program involves book work and activities that kids can do online. It is easier to record keep online than with a paper and pencil. Some people like paper and pencil though because computers crash or get temperamental and lose your stuff. After all of that, it is time to do a lesson plan for each class for each student grade level.

Before the fun of teaching your children can begin, you need to have a plan. This is the tough part. It will involve a lot of head scratching and sweating, but once it’s done, the next time will be easier.

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Home schooling doesn’t require an advanced degree or that you write a dissertation. What it does require is a love of your child and a love of learning. Because a parent understands their child and their quirks, creating a curriculum to fit their unique needs is a bit easier than a cookie cutter program created to fit everyone.

As a part of the research into home schooling, check with the state to find out what specific qualifications are needed to pursue the title of home school teacher. States may require that a parent be observed by a licensed teacher for a school year to evaluate technique and the thoroughness of the program. Along this same line, the state can require that the schooling consist of the same amount of instructional days as public school.

There are no qualifications such as a teaching certificate or a bachelor’s degree. Parents who are not familiar or strong in a subject can hire a tutor to aid in teaching the subject matter. Any state testing can be administered by a licensed teacher if it is mandated by the state.

All of these legal and state educational requirements can be found online. Begin far in advance preparing the paperwork that has to be filed and letters of intent to home school your children. The state probably wants to see that a curriculum is in place already before they allow a child to participate in alternative education, especially if a child is removed in the middle of the school year.

One bonus to purchasing established curriculum packages is that they already comply with the state requirements for home schooling. Part of the package includes grading services, administrative needs pertaining to recordkeeping, report cards, and other services. A parent can speak to customer service personnel for support, information, and help with any additional paperwork.

Persistent parents who care for their children are not daunted by rules and regulations. The education and safety of their children far exceeds any frustration they may encounter. In the long run, no one is better qualified to teach our children than the parents who have their best interests at heart.

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