The Legalities of Homeschooling in Maryland

Maryland State Law:

Here are links to important websites with information on current homeschool laws and any relevant homeschool legislation occurring that you need to know about.

- Current Homeschool Law for Maryland - including the recent changes involving annual notification beginning fall of 2003.

- Maryland General Assembly Home Page - This is the website for researching bills and the state legislature.

- Homeschooling Information from the National Home Education Network - Probing Questions to Ask about Homeschool Regulation in Your State - NHEN Legislative Information

- FAQ on Home Education from the National Home Education Network - Maryland homeschool information.

- HSLDA - Home School Legal Defense Association's Home Schooling in Maryland Page

- Maryland State Department of Education Nonpublic Schools - make note that this FAQ page is Maryland State Department of Education biased.

Registration and Homeschool Information by County:

Anne Arundel County

Don Sholl
Home School Coordinator
2644 Riva Rd.
Annapolis, MD 21401

Phone: 410-222-5457

E-mail: dsholl@aacps.org
AA County Public Schools Home Page: http://aacps.org/
Curriculum Resources: http://aacps.org/html/instr/default.asp

Calvert County

Marlene Stewart
Coordinator of Home Instruction
1305 Dares Beach Road
Prince Frederick, MD 20607

Calvert Co. Public Schools Home Page: http://www.calvertnet.k12.md.us/

Charles County

Tom Weirich
Home Instruction Coordinator
7775 Marshall Corner Road
Pomfret, MD 20675

Phone: 301 753-1757 or 301 934-9061

Charles Co. Public Schools Home Page: http://www.ccboe.com/

Prince George's County

Cyn Hadnott
Home Instruction Specialist
Division of Instruction
9201 E. Hampton Drive
Capitol Heights, MD 20743

Phone: 301-333-1001

E-mail chadnott@pgcps.org
PG County Home Instruction webpage: http://www.pgcps.org/~homeinst/
Portfolio Review Form: http://www.pgcps.org/~homeinst/portfolio.pdf Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
Administrative Procedures: http://www.pgcps.org/~homeinst/procedures.pdf Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
Scope & Sequence: http://www.pgcps.pg.k12.md.us/%7Einstruct/doc_home.html

St. Mary's County

Home Instruction Coordinator
23160 Moakley Street
Leonardtown, MD 20650

Phone: 301 475 5511 ext 152

SM County Public Schools Home Page: http://www.smcps.k12.md.us/
Internet Resources: http://www.smcps.k12.md.us/doi/internet/internet-resources.htm


Tips on Dealing with Authorities:

Jumping Through Hoops - by Helen Hegener for Home Education Magazine.

Read your state law and ask questions of knowledgeable people until you understand the law well.

Keep a copy of the current state law on hand.

Answer your superintendents' queries in a timely manner.

Respond politely and confidently.

Communicate with school officials in writing and keep copies of all papers so you have documentation of all exchanges.

Seek information and support from other homeschool parents in a local support group or discussion list before you look for an organization to act on your behalf.