Maine homeschool checklist for this year

Things to do, with their deadlines

• Within 10 days of withdrawing from school, or by September 1 if you start with the new school year

  File a Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction. One notice goes to both the superintendent's office and the Department.

  Source: 20-A M.R.S. 5001-A, compulsory attendance (Maine Legislature); Department of Education: Home Instruction Frequently Asked Questions

The state's own form: Notice of Intent (online portal or paper form, Maine DOE).

All year

• All year

  Teach the subjects Maine names: English and language arts, math, science, social studies, physical education, health education, library skills, fine arts, Maine studies (at least one grade from 6 to 12), computer proficiency (one grade level from 7 to 12).

  Source: Department of Education: Home Instruction Frequently Asked Questions
• All year

  Keep count of the days. The notice must state the program will provide at least 175 days of instruction a year. The Department of Education says at least 175 instructional days are required and there is no hourly requirement, per day or per year.

  Source: Department of Education: Home Instruction Frequently Asked Questions
• This year

  Each year after the first, an annual assessment of the child's progress is sent with the notice. Choose one: a standardized achievement test, a test agreed with the school officials, review by a Maine-certified teacher, review of a portfolio by a support group that includes a certified teacher or administrator, or review by a local advisory board.

  Source: 20-A M.R.S. 5001-A, compulsory attendance (Maine Legislature)
• All year

  Parents keep copies of the notices and assessments they file until the home instruction program ends, and must make them available to the commissioner on request.

  Source: 20-A M.R.S. 5001-A, compulsory attendance (Maine Legislature)

Good habits (not in the law)

• Keep a copy of everything you send, and of any acknowledgement you get back, with the date.

• Start simple records on day one: the days you teach, the books you read and a few samples of work in each subject. They help if you move, return to school or apply to college.