Homeschooling in Massachusetts

Are you a new homeschooling parent looking for information on Massachusetts home school laws, Massachusetts support groups, or homeschool curriculum? If so, you've come to the right place.

If you have any questions or comments about homeschooling in Massachusetts, contact the Massachusetts Parent Forum.

Massachusetts Homeschooling Resources

For more information on specific homeschooling requirements in Massachusetts, visit one of these sites:

Massachusetts MCAS Test Prep resource page - Overview for families with children taking the Massachusetts MCAS.
Home-Ed Magazine’s MA resource page - Includes information, articles, and state-specific resources
The Home School Mom's Massachusetts support page Includes Massachusetts state legal requirements, homeschool conferences, local field trip ideas, events, support groups and other resources
Home Education in Massachusetts by Ann Zeise

Legal disclaimer: This section is one family’s story and how they meet the mandatory school attendance laws in Massachusetts. It is not intended and should not be used as definitive legal advice. In most states, parents find a variety of legal methods to pursue the educational approach that they prefer for their child.

Massachusetts Home School Resources

Both new and veteran homeschoolers can benefit from the wealth of Massachusetts homeschool resources available. There are two statewide organizations, the Massachusetts Homeschool Organization of Parent Educators (MassHOPE) and the Massachusetts Home Learning Association, specifically designed to support homeschooling in MA. MassHOPE also holds an annual homeschooling convention. Many counties in Massachusetts have at least one local support group for homeschoolers, as well.

We've listed a few of the starting points for finding out more about homeschooling resources in Massachusetts:

Massachusetts Support Groups -List of local support groups in MA
About Homeschooling in Massachusetts -A one-stop source for homeschooling in MA
MHLA Email List - A Yahoo Group for those homeschooling, or thinking about homeschooling in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Home School Laws

The state of Massachusetts requires compulsory school attendance of children between the ages of 6 and 18. Massachusetts recommends that homeschools operate a number of days or hours comparable to public schools, and cover the following subjects: reading, writing, English language and grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, history and constitution of United States, duties of citizenship, health (including CPR), physical education, and good behavior.

Because homeschooling in Massachusetts is considered "private education", homeschools must be approved by local school districts. These districts take the following items into account when choosing whether or not to approve a home education plan:

Proposed curriculum and number of hours of instruction per subject:
Competency of parents to teach their children
Materials, instructional aids, lesson plans, and teaching manuals used to teach the curriculum
Periodic assessments, which may or may not include standardized tests or alternate forms of assessment

Choosing Homeschool Curriculum

Massachusetts homeschool law includes the freedom for families to pick and choose their own curriculum based on what works best for their child. However, families new to homeschooling quickly discover a dizzying array of choices when it comes to selecting homeschool curriculum. There is no more popular discussion among homeschoolers on the web than the pros and cons of various homeschool programs.. After sifting through the homeschool curriculum reviews, most parents end up mixing and matching homeschool curricula, trying to create the best match for their child.

For families with more than one child, choosing a homeschool programs can be even more problematic. What works for one child may not work for another. What works for one subject may not work on the next. What works one year, may fall flat the very next year.

Time4Learning's experience shows that there is no single, best homeschool material. Rather than feeling torn between homeschool resources, parents should select a diverse blend of materials and activities.

The Benefits of Using Time4Learning's Curriculum

Some of the features that make Time4Learning so successful include:

Time4Learning appeals to a wide range of learning styles. Our online learning materials are especially well-suited to children who are visual or kinesthetic learners. These children can take advantage of Time4Learning's interactive, multimedia materials.
Children like using the computer to learn. It's a convenient, interactive homeschool resource that provides a welcome change each day to paper-and-pencil workbooks and textbook-based lessons.
Parents like that it tracks progress and helps children advance by clearly presenting and reinforcing each lesson. Quizzes and tests are graded by the computer, saving valuable time and effort for parents who would be happier concentrating on other areas.
Time4Learning's self-paced, modularized lesson plans allow you to move forward and back through the materials whenever you want. You can skip lessons that teach concepts your child has already mastered and repeat those he or she has not. The choice is yours. With Time4Learning, you are always in control.
Time4Learning is proven effective with homeschoolers, has a low monthly price, is easy-to-use, and provides a money-back guarantee so you can make sure that it works for your children, <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/program/faq.html#guarantee">satisfaction guaranteed</a>! Sign up for Time4Learning as part of your overall homeschool program.

If you have any questions or comments about homeschooling in Massachusetts, why not contact me on the Massachusetts Parent Forum.