Dear Parent/Guardian:

I am writing in response to your request for information regarding home schooling.  The Baltimore County Public School system supports home schooling in accordance with the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR 13A.10.01). 

I am enclosing the following for your information and use:

• COMAR 13A.10.01 Home Instruction
• Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) Home Schooling Procedures
• Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Home Schooling
• Preparing the Portfolio for Home Schooling under section 4a
• Suggested Time Allotments for Art, Music, and Physical Education
• Home Schooling Resources
• Home Schooling Notification Form (for new Home Schooling students only)

After reviewing these materials, should you decide to instruct your child/children at home please complete and return the Home Schooling Notification Form as instructed.  Please note:  Upon our receipt of the Home Schooling Notification form, there is a fifteen (15) day waiting period prior to the start of the Home School Program (COMAR 13.10.01.01.B.1.b).
Any questions you might have regarding nonpublic entities/umbrellas registered and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to supervise home instruction may be directed to Ms. Denise Scott at MSDE, 410-767-0407, or visit their website at www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/.

Parents frequently request information regarding the curriculum and how to construct a home schooling program for their child/children.  You may visit http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/index.html to view the Maryland State Department of Education’s State Curriculum.  You will be able to view the objectives for each grade level for the subjects that the Maryland Home Schooling regulations require you to include in your instruction (English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education).  You may also want to visit www.bcps.org/parents/ for additional resources including the Articulated Instruction Module (AIM) which provides a description of what is being taught and what students are expected to learn for each course offered in BCPS.

Please be advised that as a home schooling parent you can receive a “Teacher Loan” library card. You must provide the most recent home schooling letter from my office to your county library.

Students who are home schooled through Grade 12 do not receive a diploma from Baltimore County Public Schools.  Diplomas can be awarded through accredited correspondence courses/schools or by the student passing the GED. 

If I can be of further assistance, please call 410-887-2896 or email me at dsochurek@bcps.org.  My secretary, Ms. Liposchak, will also be available to assist you.  You may also want to visit our website at: http://www.bcps.org/offices/alted/home_schooling/. 

Thank you for your interest and best wishes for a successful year.

Sincerely,

Donna Sochurek
Home Schooling Specialist