Creating professional or educational background requirements for tutors working with homeschool students is unnecessary, intrusive, and sets a dangerous precedent, in terms of potentially requiring educational credentials for homeschool parents. No other Maryland law exists to require a parent of a brick and mortar student to only hire a specific type of credentialed tutor. While we understand that some local school boards are unclear about a parent’s right to use tutors as part of their homeschooling, we believe this is a regulatory matter and not one that can be successfully addressed by creating a new law.

Nothing. The bill has been withdrawn and will not be heard in committee.

Families interested in this school choice option should be aware that by enrolling in such a charter school, they are no longer classified as homeschoolers. Charter-virtual school students would be subject to state testing and other public school requirements. Should this bill pass, it will not affect homeschool families who continue to pay for their own online classes.

Write to the House Ways and Means Committee members to express your support for this bill. While this bill does not directly effect homeschoolers who use online curricular providers, such as K12, Calvert, or Connections Academy; it does offer families the option of enrolling their children in the public school system, through a sponsoring charter school, in order to receive a free virtual school education.

The original version of this bill would have required MSDE to examine current homeschool regulations and to requires families to obtain “approval” for their currently homeschool in Maryland.

No action necessary. This bill was withdrawn by its sponsor.

Write to the Ways and Means Committee members to encourage them to vote in favor of this bill. Homeschoolers will benefit from the expanded sales tax exemption, including textbooks bought within a Maryland-based bookstore, should the bill pass.

Write to the Ways and Means Committee members to encourage them to vote in favor of this bill. Dual-enrolled homeschoolers will benefit from the sales tax exemption, should the bill pass.

Write an email to the Ways and Means Committee encouraging them to vote YES on this bill, to prohibit the implementation of Common Core. Homeschoolers are not required to follow Common Core. The bill is listed for informational purposes for families who have children also attending public school.

No action currently necessary. MSA testing is not required of homeschoolers. The bill is listed for informational purposes for families who have children also attending public school.

No action necessary. Public school holidays do not affect homeschoolers. The bill is listed for informational purposes for families who have children also attending public school.

No action currently necessary. School start times do not apply to homeschoolers. The bill is listed for informational purposes for families who have children also attending public school.