The Massachusetts General Law requires the School Committee to determine that a Homeschooling program meets with the minimum standards established for public schools in the Commonwealth prior to approving such a program.
When a parent or guardian of a student below the age of 16 wants to establish a home-based educational program for their child, the following procedures shall be followed in accordance with the law:
The parent/guardian must submit written notification on an annual basis of establishment of the home-based program to the Superintendent 14 days before the program is established, and resubmit notification on an annual basis as long as the student is being educated in a home-based environment.
The parent/guardian must certify in writing the name, date of birth, home address, and number of hours of attendance of each child in the program.
The Superintendent shall give the notice to produce records required by law if there is probable cause to believe the program is not in compliance with the law. Factors to be considered by the Superintendent or School Committee in deciding whether or not to approve a home education proposal may be:
1. The proposed curriculum and the number of hours of instruction in each of the proposed subjects.
2. The competency of the parents/guardian to teach the children,
3. The textbooks, workbooks and other instructional aids to be used by the children and the lesson plans and teaching manuals to be used by the parents/guardian.
4. Periodic standardized testing of the children to ensure educational progress and the attainment of minimum standards.
A student being educated in a home-based program within the District may have access to public school extracurricular activities upon approval of the Superintendent.
If the Committee determines that a home instruction situation is inadequate, a conference between the parents or legal guardian and the Superintendent will be scheduled to find mutually
acceptable ways to correct any deficiency.
SOURCE: MASC
LSSC Amended and Adopted: 12/21/21
LEGAL REFS.: M.G.L. 69:1D; 76:1, Care and Protection of CharCare and Protections of Charles MASS. Supreme Judicial Court 399 Mass. 324 (1987)
Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School District