Md. Code Regs. 13A.10.01.01 - Home Instruction Program
A. Purpose. The purpose of this regulation is
to establish a procedure to be used by the superintendent of each local school
system to determine if a child participating in a home instruction program is
receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies
usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age.
B. Written Agreement.
(1) A parent or guardian who chooses to
provide a home instruction program for his or her child shall initially sign a
statement on a form prescribed by the State Department of Education which:
(a) Indicates consent to the requirements set
forth in §§C, D, and E of this regulation; and
(b) Shall be submitted to the local
superintendent at least 15 days before the beginning of a home instruction
program.
(2) Annual
Verification. Annually thereafter, before the beginning of the school year, a
parent or guardian shall verify the continuation of home schooling for his or
her child with the local school superintendent or with the supervising
nonpublic school or institution described in Regulation .05 of this
chapter.
(3) Change in Status. A
parent or guardian shall notify the local school superintendent or the
supervising nonpublic school or institution described in Regulation .05 of this
chapter if a change occurs in the home school status of a child during the
school year.
C.
Instruction Program.
(1) The home instruction
program shall:
(a) Provide regular, thorough
instruction in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of
the same age;
(b) Include
instruction in English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music,
health, and physical education; and
(c) Take place on a regular basis during the
school year and be of sufficient duration to implement the instruction
program.
(2) The home
instruction program may include enrollment on a part-time or full-time basis in
courses offered by accredited or unaccredited colleges.
D. Educational Materials.
(1) A parent or guardian who chooses to
provide a home instruction program for his or her child shall maintain a
portfolio of materials which:
(a)
Demonstrates the parent or guardian is providing regular, thorough instruction
during the school year in the areas specified in §C(1) of this
regulation;
(b) Includes relevant
materials, such as instructional materials, reading materials, and examples of
the child's writings, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, and tests;
and
(c) Shall be reviewed by the
local superintendent or the superintendent's designee at the conclusion of each
semester of the local school system at such times as are mutually agreeable to
the local superintendent or designee and the parent or
guardian.
(2) A parent or
guardian who chooses to enroll his or her child under §C(2) of this
regulation may elect to provide to the local superintendent or the
superintendent's designee a copy of a report card or transcript from the
accredited or unaccredited college at the conclusion of each semester of the
accredited or unaccredited college in lieu of a portfolio of materials for the
courses in which the child is enrolled under §C(2) of this
regulation.
E. A parent
or guardian shall agree to permit a representative of a local school system to
review the portfolio of educational materials and discuss the instructional
program, provided that all of the following requirements are met:
(1) The review is at a time and place
mutually agreeable to the representative of the local school system and the
parent or guardian;
(2) The purpose
of the review is to ensure that the child is receiving regular, thorough
instruction as set forth in §C of this regulation; and
(3) There are not more than three reviews
during a school year.
F.
Additional Requirements. A local school system may not impose additional
requirements for home instruction programs other than those in these
regulations.
Notes
Regulations .01 adopted effective July 27, 1987 (14:15 Md. R. 1661)
Regulation .01B amended effective July 21, 2003 (30:14 Md. R. 937); amended effective 43:12 Md. R. 668, eff.
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