FCPS' Top Ten Questions about Homeschooling
According to Frederick County Public Schools, the ten most commonly asked questions regarding homeschooling include...
1. Does Maryland law permit a student of mandatory school age (5-16 yrs. old) to
be home schooled? Yes, the law provides this as an option to private or
public school enrollment. Regulations are found in the Code of Maryland
Regulations (COMAR) 13A.1001.
2. Before homeschooling, what must a parent do? The parent or
guardian should contact FCPS for a copy of the Home Schooling Application and
the Home Schooling regulations at least 15 days before beginning homeschooling.
[See How to Begin for links or click the Site Page for FCPS, upper right-hand
corner.]
3. Who provides the curriculum for parents to use for homeschooling their
child/ren?
The curriculum is the responsibility of the parent or
guardian.
FCPS offers academic guidelines to ensure proper
subjects are taught. Instruction must be evident is English, mathematics,
science, social studies, art, music, health and physical education.
[View online.]
4. Is homeschooling supervised in Maryland? Yes, it must be
supervised by one of the following: local school system, nonpublic school with a
Certificate of Approval from the Maryland State Board of Education, or a school
or institution that offers an educational program through a bona fide church
organization. [See Curriculum Options and How to Begin links on this site for
additional information.]
5. Does the parent or guardian have to be a certified teacher?
No, at the present time, parents and guardians are not required to have
certification.
6. Can a tutor be hired to take care of all the instruction? Regulations
require the parent or guardian to be the primary provider of instruction.
However, other adults can assist in a special area of interest but cannot take
the place of the parent or guardian.
7. How much time is spent on homeschool instruction?
The homeschooled child should receive regular, thorough instruction during
the school year.
8. Who reviews the homeschool program? The entity sponsoring
the program will be responsible for the review.
9. For the portfolio review with FCPS, what should I include? COMAR states
that homeschoolers maintain a portfolio of materials. Some suggestions: samples of the
child's writing, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, and tests can be
used in the portfolio. Please date the work completed.
10. Are homeschoolers allowed to participate in instructional or
extracurricular programs offered by my local public school? Homeschooled
students are not authorized to participate in any activities with the exception
of standardized tests held at the local school.
