Home Schooling InformationBack to Home Schooling Homepage FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING HOME INSTRUCTIONQ. DO I NEED TO SET UP A CLASSROOM IN MY HOME? A. You should provide an educational area, which would include a desk, or work area with Q. MUST THE PARENT BE THE TEACHER, OR CAN A TUTOR BE HIRED TO TAKE CARE OF THE INSTRUCTION?A. The bylaw is quite clear that the parent is to be the primary provider of the instruction. Other adults can assist with a special area of interest, but not replace the parent. The teaching by another adult or group of adults constitutes a school, which must seek accreditation through the State Department of Education. Q. AM I REQUIRED TO BE A CERTIFIED TEACHER?A. No, not under present regulations. Q. HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD BE SPENT ON INSTRUCTION EACH DAY?A. Generally, a minimum of five (5) hours of daily instruction Monday through Friday is recommended for a period of 36 weeks (180 days) of instruction. Q. AM I OBLIGED TO FOLLOW THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CALENDAR?A. You need to specify the hours, days and length of your instructional year, during the portfolio review. Weekend, evening hours and summertime may also be a part of the schedule, if you desire. A minimum of 180 days of instruction is expected. Q. SHOULD I DEVELOP A PLANNING BOOK FOR INSTRUCTION?A. There should be evidence of planning your instructional program. Q. SHOULD I KEEP A RECORD OF ATTENDANCE AND EVALUATION/GRADES GIVEN TO MY CHILD?A. Yes. Q. WHAT AREAS OF INSTRUCTION ARE MANDATORY IN MY PROGRAM?A. Evidence of instruction in all of the following areas is required: READING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING HOME INSTRUCTIONQ. WHAT SAMPLES OF MY CHILD’S WORK SHOULD BE AVAILABLE DURING THE PORTFOLIO REVIEW?A. Examples of the child’s writing, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials and test must be saved for the review. In addition, work should be dated as it is completed. Q. HOW OFTEN DO PORTFOLIO REVIEWS TAKE PLACE?A. Portfolio reviews occur two times during the school year, usually toward the end of each semester. A maximum of three reviews is allowed according to bylaws per school year. The Baltimore City Public School System conducts reviews at the Alice G, Pinderhughes Administration Building and in neighborhood schools. A parent needs to be present at the review, and it is suggested that the child also attend. Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE HOME INSTRUCTION PROGRAM DOES NOT MEET ACCEPTABLE CRITERIA?A. If there are deficiencies in the program preventing the child from receiving regular, through instruction, the parent will be notified in writing, and given 30 days to provide evidence that the deficiencies have been corrected .If there is not a satisfactory plan to correct the deficiency, or if the deficiency is not corrected within 30 days, the student will be withdrawn from the home school program. In keeping Maryland attendance laws, students between the ages of 5-16 must then be promptly enrolled in public, private or parochial school. Q. WHAT IS THE PROCESS IF I SHOULD DECIDE TO PLACE MY CHILD BACK IN SCHOOL?A. Parents are requested to send a letter to the Office of Home Schooling indicating their desire to have the student withdrawn. The home schooling office will schedule a final portfolio review. In turn, the parent will make arrangements with appropriate school staff to enroll the student in school. Q. WILL A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA BE ISSUED BY BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IF I ELECT TO HAVE MY CHILD REMAIN ON HOME INSTRUCTION THROUGH THE 12TH GRADE?A. No, diplomas cannot be issued to students who are not enrolled in the school system. Q. MAY MY CHILD PARTICIPATE IN THE STANDARDIZED TESTING PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL SYSTEM EVEN THROUGH HE/SHE IN NOT ENROLLED IN SCHOOL?A. Yes, upon request of a parent or guardian, a child receiving home instruction may participate in the regularly scheduled standardized testing program that is administered in the public school where the child is eligible to attend. Arrangements must be made with the school principal or testing coordinator prior to testing dates. The parent should then report to the zone school for testing. Parents will receive tests results from the Maryland State Department of Education via U.S. Mail. Q. MUST I NOTIFY ANYONE IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES AFFECTING MY PROGRAM?A. Yes, it is very important that you notify this office if there are any changes such as:
Q. WHERE CAN I PURCHASE HOME SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL?A. Home school curriculum and learning supplies may be obtained from a variety of sources. The following list represents some of the most popular sources. 1) Home and School Connection 1 877 766-06992) Educators’ ONE Source 1-888- 869-9777 204 US 41 Bypass South 3) Sonlight Curriculum(Literature –Rich Homeschooling) 303-730-6292 4)Peterson's Get Wise Curriculum(High School including SAT preparation) Barnes and Noble Or Amazon.com 5) Saxon Publishers1320 W. Lindsey
Norman, OK 73069.4310 (405) 329-7071 Math Curriculum for Grades K-12 Phonics Program 6) American School850 East Fifty Eighth Street
Chicago, IL 60637 1-800-288-5600 Correspondence for Grades 9-12 7) Abeka SchoolsPensacola, FL 32523 8) Home and School Connection7130 Minstrel Way
at Snowden River and Broken Land Pkwys Columbia, Maryland 21045 410 381-7350 *Offers free home school seminars in June, July, August, September and January 9) Lakeshore Learning Store16210 E. Joppa Road 10) Coach Test Preparation (MSA & HSA1-800 221-9372 For additional questions or concerns, please contact me via U.S. Mail addressed to: Office of Home Schooling |
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