Homeschooling has become hugely popular over the past few decades and more parents in Maine are searching for answers about who is qualified to homeschool their child. Whether you are looking for a professional, certified teacher, or a relative with education experience, learning who can homeschool in Maine can be complicated. To help you make an informed decision, here are 15 questions you should ask before deciding who will teach your child.
1. What qualifications should a homeschooler have?
When thinking about who can teach your child at home, first consider their qualifications. Although the Maine Department of Education does not require homeschoolers to have a college/education degree, they do prioritize individuals who have certificate/credentials in teaching or a related field.
If a homeschooler does not have such credentials, they must have at least two years of successful experience teaching in Maine. This means they should have a good track record with students, understand educational principles, and have a minimum baseline of subject knowledge. To assess potential homeschoolers’ credentials and experience, you should ask to view their resumes, inquire into their specific qualifications, and find out if they have any experience homeschooling children.
Additionally, parents may want to look into prospective homeschoolers’ backgrounds to ensure their child will be in a safe and positive learning environment.
2. Who can act as a homeschooler in Maine?
Although Maine does not have strict requirements for who can become a homeschooler, it does state that homeschoolers must be at least 21 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, and pass a school liability screening. As such, homeschoolers can include: certified teachers, experienced individuals who have worked in educational settings, qualified family more mature family members, individuals with prior experience teaching in a home setting, and qualified individuals who possess the right credentials and background to become a Maine homeschooler. A potential homeschooler cannot act as a homeschooler until they are fully compliant with Maine’s regulations.
This means they must complete an application process and pass a school liability screening. Additionally, they must submit a current resume, provide contact information, and provide an appropriate background check.
3. How do I make sure the homeschooler is right for my child?
The most important part of the home education process is finding the right homeschooler for your child. When considering a potential homeschooler, parents should research their qualifications, make sure they have the experience, training, and personality to best invest in and build relationships with their child. When speaking to a potential homeschooler, make sure you engage in conversation about your child’s overall interests and learning needs.
In addition, you want to create a schedule with the potential teacher that outlines expectations and hours. Creating this plan up front will help both you and the teacher determine how successful the homeschooling experience with that particular teacher will be.
It’s also important to determine if the potential homeschooler has the necessary resources to create interesting lessons and activities for your child. Learning styles can vary for each child, and this can affect their engagement with the instructor.
Some homeschoolers may have access to a greater variety of resources, while some may not.
4. Are there any special requirements for homeschooling in Maine?
In Maine, homeschoolers are subject to the same regulations as public schools and must adhere to all state and local laws. This includes using a state-approved curriculum, tracking student progress, filing paperwork, and sometimes submitting to standardized testing.
Additionally, homeschoolers must register with the State of Maine Department of Education and submit a home instruction plan once a year. Under Maine law, homeschoolers must also attend an annual seminar or similar learning experience to obtain additional training on the home instruction process. Finally, homeschoolers must provide proof of student progress annually, either in the form of standardized test results or results of an evaluation conducted by a professional who has direct knowledge of the student’s academic progress.
5. What are the costs associated with homeschooling in Maine?
The cost of homeschooling in Maine largely depends on whether homeschoolers choose to use public, private, or homeschooler-specific materials. Public materials are provided by the Maine Department of Education which are typically inexpensive or free to use. Private materials are more expensive, but may offer an extended range of curriculum options and materials.
Lastly, homeschooler-specific materials are specifically designed for homeschoolers and are typically more affordable than private materials. In addition, homeschoolers must purchase educational supplies like books, paper, art supplies, and computers.
Additionally, parents should factor in the cost of field trips, dual-enrollment classes, and other educational opportunities they may want to explore.
6. Who is responsible for the curriculum and instruction delivery in the home?
Maine homeschoolers typically have some freedom when it comes to curricular decisions. Parents may choose to use a state-provided curriculum, develop their own curriculum, or use an alternative homeschooling model like online or distance learning.
Once the homeschooler has chosen a specific curriculum, they are then responsible for delivering instruction. Of course, there are a variety of ways to deliver instruction; some homeschoolers choose to use lectures, some prefer project-based learning, and others combine a variety of methods to create the best learning experience for their child. Additionally, homeschoolers can use books, videos, podcasts, and more to supplement lesson delivery.
7. How often should home instruction occur?
Homeschoolers have a great deal of flexibility when it comes to determining when and how often instruction should occur. According to Maine homeschooling law, parents should create a home instruction plan that outlines a schedule of activities and outlines the days and times that instruction will occur. The home instruction plan must include a minimum of 175 days per year with at least four hours of instruction each day, or a total of 800 hours of instruction annually.
This includes instruction in the five core academic areas: language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and health.
8. What types of assessment should I expect?
In order to ensure students are keeping pace with their progress, Maine homeschoolers must provide periodic assessments of student progress. This includes both standardized testing and evaluations conducted by professional educators.
Standardized tests must be given to students every two years, typically at the end of the third, fifth, eighth, and eleventh grade level. Maine homeschoolers must choose an approved standardized testing platform for their child and provide proof of testing results annually. Additionally, an evaluation conducted by a professional educator must be submitted annually and can include a variety of methods such as samples of student work, interviews, portfolios, and other non-standardized assessments.
9. Are there any specific activities or experiences a homeschooler should plan for?
In addition to academics, homeschoolers should plan for a variety of experiential learning activities that allow students to explore interests and passions. These experiences can include visiting museums, attending field trips, visiting farmers markets, learning foreign languages, or building small businesses or websites.
Homeschoolers should also engage students in service learning opportunities such as projects, internships, and volunteer opportunities. This will provide opportunities for students to understand the larger community, practice good citizenship, and learn important interpersonal communication skills.
10. Are there any digital resources I should explore for homeschooling?
Fortunately, today’s homeschoolers have access to a variety of digital resources that can help enhance the educational experience. Digital resources can provide students with interactive content, customizable lessons, and ideas that reach beyond the traditional curriculum.
Some popular digital resources include Khan Academy, NoRedInk, IXL Learning, Project Gutenberg, and Prodigy Math. Additionally, there are learning services like HSLDA and Time4Learning that provide guidance and tools to create a successful homeschooling plan.
11. How do I decide which course of study is right for my child?
In Maine, homeschoolers can choose from the state’s approved curriculum, develop their own curriculum, or choose an alternative homeschooling model. It is important to think about your child’s interests, learning styles, and goals when deciding on a course of study.
If you decide to use the state’s approved curriculum, you will want to familiarize yourself with the state’s educational standards and specific course requirements. This will help ensure that the curriculum meets your child’s individual learning needs. If you develop your own curriculum, you will want to create standards that are in line with the state’s standards.
Additionally, you will want to select curriculum materials or resources that are engaging, developmentally appropriate, and tailored to your child’s interests.
12. Are there any organizations or networks that provide support for homeschooling families in Maine?
Fortunately, there are a variety of organizations and networks that offer support for homeschooling families in Maine. These organizations can provide advice and mentorship to new homeschoolers, and offer a variety of experiences and resources.
For example, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) offers legal support, resources, and an incredibly supportive community for homeschoolers in Maine. Additionally, there are several regional Homeschool Groups and Co-ops throughout Maine that offer lively opportunities for extracurricular activities, social and educational experiences, and more.
13. Are there legal requirements for homeschoolers in Maine?
Yes, Maine has specific laws, regulations, and requirements for homeschoolers. As mentioned above, homeschoolers must submit a written home instruction plan including student evaluation and standardized testing proof to the Maine Department of Education once a year.
Homeschoolers must also attend an annual seminar or similar learning experience to receive training in the home instruction process. Additionally, all homeschoolers must be compliant with state and local laws and homeschoolers must provide their own liability insurance.
14. Can a child who has been homeschooled attend public school?
Yes, a child who has been homeschooled can attend public school in Maine. As with all public school admissions, the child must fulfill local school district requirements for admissions, demonstrate proficiency in the five core academic areas, and provide proof that they meet state requirements for educational achievement.
Homeschooled children may also enroll through the dual enrollment program, which allows them to attend classes on the public school campus while still being considered homeschooled. Additionally, the State of Maine may offer a special diploma for students who have been homeschooled, although requirements vary from district to district.
15. Are there any additional resources I should explore?
Finally, parents should explore additional resources to get a better idea of the homeschooling process. For instance, HSLDA provides resources and information on homeschooling law and legal requirements in Maine.
Additionally, the Maine Department of Education has resources to support homeschoolers, including monthly webinars and other learning opportunities. Other organizations like the Learning at Home Center offer guidance in creating a home instruction plan and ways to support social and educational experiences for homeschoolers in Maine. Researching these resources and understanding the homeschooling landscape can help make for a successful homeschooling experience for your child.
Conclusion
Finding the right homeschooler for your child requires careful consideration and thought. Although Maine does not have strict requirements for who can become a homeschooler, it is important to research potential homeschoolers’ qualifications, background, and experience to ensure your child will be in a safe learning environment. In addition to researching homeschoolers’ credentials and background, it is important to understand the laws and regulations, choose the right curriculum and materials, and explore additional resources that can help make homeschooling more successful for your child.