A student's parent must file a notice of intent with the local school superintendent and Maine Commissioner of Education within 10 days of starting a homeschool. It must contain the name, signature and address of the teaching parent, the name and address of the student and the date homeschooling began. A statement of assurance must be included that confirms instruction will be provided at least 175 days per year and will teach approved subjects.
Maine has two types of recognized home school: Home school statute, and non-approved private school. A non-approved private school is defined as parents of at least two unrelated students forming a school. Home school statute is a traditional home school environment, where a parent teaches his own child.
Home-schooled students must be taught math, English and language arts, Maine Studies between grades six and twelve, science, computer proficiency, library skills, fine arts, social studies, and physical and health education, according to Maine law MRSA tit. 20-A, §5001-A, sub-§3A.
A parent must submit a letter to the local superintendent and the Maine Commissioner of Education enclosing an assessment test and the intention to home school in the next school year by September 1.
Non-approved private schools do not have to procure annual test results. A traditional home school environment must submit official standardized test results to a local superintendent and the Maine Commissioner of Education. A test created by local school officials can also fulfill the request. A Maine certified teacher or home school support group can also review the student's progress.
In Maine, it is a good idea to keep a portfolio of homestudy. Some college scholarships are hard for children to receive if the parent does not keep good documentation of school work. Keep a log of field trips, books read and daily schedules to show the school board what your child has done. Keep graded tests and reports.
Maine does not have higher education requirements for parents. Home school parents are not legally required to begin school at kindergarten, but a child must begin home-schooling by age seven.