Intent to Home Educate
The Milford Public Schools recognizes and respects the right of parents or guardians to educate their child(ren) at home, in accordance with Massachusetts General Law Chapter 76, Section 1 and the Charles Decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
The Massachusetts General Law requires the School Committee to determine that a Home School program meet 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 between ages 6-16 wants to establish a home-based educational program for his/her child, the following procedures shall be followed in accordance with the law:
Prior to removing the child from public school:
The parent/guardian must submit a written notification of the establishment of the home-based program to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment 10 days before the program is established, and resubmit the notification on an annual basis as long as the child or children are being educated in a home-based environment. Upon approval of the home school program, the Assistant Superintendent's Office will notify the child's school of the approval and the student will be withdrawn to begin homeschooling.
If your student is intending on a home education program, please use the Intent to Home Educate form and be sure to provide all required information. The complete Homeschool Plan should be mailed/emailed to the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.
The Assistant Superintendent or designee 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 designee deciding whether or not to approve a home school proposal may be:
- The number of hours of instruction of the proposed curriculum;
- The competency of the parents to teach the children;
- The textbooks, workbooks and other instructional aids to be used by the children and teaching manuals to be used by the parents;
- Periodic assessment of the children to ensure educational progress and the attainment of minimum standards.
*In creating your home-school education plan, families may reference the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Curriculum Frameworks by grade.
Additional Information:
- Home-educated students do not participate in state testing programs such as MCAS.
- Milford Public Schools is not responsible to supply textbooks or instructional materials to homeschooling students.
- You must re-apply for each academic year.
Contact Information:
Craig Consigli, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
31 West Fountain Street
Milford, MA. 01757
LEGAL REFS: M.G.L. 69:JD; 76:l, Care and Protection of Charles
Care and Protections of Charles — MASS. Supreme Judicial Court 399 Mass. 324 (1987)