In 2013, the Maryland General Assembly passed SB 740, creating a new math graduation requirement for public school students.

While the law does not directly effect homeschoolers, it does establish the standard of what is “usually taught” in public school.

§7-205.1 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland

“Beginning with the 9th grade class of 2014, and subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection and subsection (E) of this section, each student shall enroll in a mathematics course in each year of high school that the student attends high school.”

Do I Have to Teach Algebra 1 to My Homeschooler?

Maryland’s homeschool regulation states that parents must provide “regular, thorough instruction during the school year in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age”. To know what is usually taught in public schools, the Maryland State Department of Education looks to other regulations for guidance and definitions.

 COMAR 13A.03.02.02 requires:

  • “One [math credit] with instruction in algebra aligned with the Maryland High School Assessment for algebra or one or more credits in subsequent mathematics courses for which Algebra I is a prerequisite, and
  • One [math credit] with instruction in geometry aligned with the content standards for geometry”

 

MSDE’s Section Chief for Student Services, who oversees homeschooling for the entire state, has issued guidance on the math requirement question. Specifically, county homeschool liaisons have been directed to look for completion of homeschooled Algebra 1 and Geometry by the end of high school, as they are math classes “usually taught” to children of the same age.

College-bound Maryland homeschoolers should also know that beginning in 2009, the University of Maryland System changed their entrance requirements. Beginning with the high school Class of 2015, incoming freshmen will be required to have completed 4 years of high school math, including Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2.

The University System of Maryland includes:

  • Bowie State University

  • Coppin State University

  • Frostburg State University

  • Salisbury University

  • Towson University

  • University of Maryland, Baltimore

  • University of Maryland, Baltimore County

  • University Center for Environmental Science

  • University of Maryland, College Park

  • University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

  • University of Maryland, University College

  • University of Baltimore

What Homeschool Math Classes Do I Need to Teach?

According to the Maryland State Department of Education, any of the following math classes can be used to meet state-madated graduation requirements. Other than Algebra 1 and Geometry, none of these math classes are specifically required by homeschoolers. The list is provided for informational purposes, only.

  • Pre-Algebra
  • Algebra 1
  • Business Math
  • Consumer Math
  • Geometry
  • Algebra 2
  • Trigonometry
  • Precalculus
  • Calculus (regular; AP-A/B; and AP-B/C)
  • Probability and Satistics
  • College Algebra
  • Computer Science (regular math-based CompSci and AP-level)
  • Mathematics Transitions
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Linear Algebra

What Else Do I Need to Know About Homeschooling Math?

MSDE has published a 6-page Frequently Asked Questions about Maryland’s new math graduation requirements document. While much of the document is geared for public school students, the guide also includes helpful information for how the University of Maryland system applies the math high school graduation requirement to their freshmen entrance requirement.

Last modified on September 13, 2019

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