Maryland homeschoolers? Can you clarify this for me?

[Pariah]

Just wanting to make sure I'm understanding the MD laws...

For reference, I'm looking at the MD laws as stated here: http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Maryland.pdf

For option 1, the public school superintendent must be involved. I very briefly went to a public school when I was in high school (which wasn't that long ago!), and based on my experience there, I do not want to be involved with the public schools.

For option 2, we would have to be using a church program. I did this when I was in high school (after the aforementioned public school experience). I completed high school with Griggs (formerly Home Study International), which is with the 7th Day Adventists and based in Silver Spring. Good experience with them, by the way.

For option 3, again we would have to be associated with the public schools which I do not want.

So, am I correct in that the only option for homeschooling independently of the public school system is to use a church-based program? If we picked a different curriculum, we would have to be monitored by the PS system? I don't mind using Griggs for DS if necessary, but I did want to explore other options if possible just to see what else is out there.

Oh, and I have nothing against public schools in general, or people who send their kids to public schools. I personally had a VERY negative public school experience and while we aren't living in the same part of MD anymore, it really turned me off to being involved with the system in general. Just wanted to throw that disclaimer out there so I don't get flamed!

[mary3mama]

Pariah,
We signed up with an umbrella school with no church affiliation stated. They require absolutely nothing more than what Comar states. It is my understanding that many (if not all) of the church schools require things beyond what the law requires...and in order to be signed up with them, you must follow it.

With our group, Many Paths of Natural Learning, there's a pre-enrollment interview (can be done via phone) and then you have to go to a field trip or some other event at least once a year. You must also join and participate in a yahoo group set up for the purpose (and it's a really great way to meetup with homeschoolers near you anywhere in MD). It is very unschool friendly...but it is homeschool-friendly regardless of type...there's no hostility (that I've noted) towards use of curriculum either. There is an enrollment fee (one time) and yearly tuition (currently at $175 for the first child; $20 for each additional child in the family.)

For our family this was an awesome find! I neither wanted the school system involved in our lives, nor did I want a church to be involved. Ick on both counts! This way we fulfill the letter of the law AND homeschool our own way without worry.

Do a google search on Many Paths of Natural Learning and you should find the website....if you don't, post or PM and I'll dig up a link for you.

[mary3mama]

Sorry, just read lotusdebi's reply having not read it before my previous reply. I assume she and I are talking about the same group...but I am unaware of any connection to a pagan church. (It wouldn't bother me if it does...btw...just haven't encountered any info on this.)

Anyway, we've loved doing the umbrella school option this way. I know that we are 'legal' and that is quite freeing.

[phathui5]

We live in Baltimore City. We do our reviews through the school system and haven't had any problems with it. This is our fourth year homeschooling. Twice a year, I get together some samples of stuff the kids did in each subject, walk over to the library, sit and talk with our reviewer for about half an hour and then we don't hear from them for another six months.

[Pariah]

Thank you for all the info! I appreciate it.

[Pariah]

lotusdebi and mary3mama -- do you use a curriculum? I'm not 100% on using one, but I thought we would have to to legally homeschool in MD. With Many Paths of Natural Learning, you can choose to use a cirriculum or not (right?). How do you get a high school diploma? When I graduated high school through Griggs, I received my diploma through them.

Thank you for helping me understand this!

[mary3mama]

Yep, I agree. Many Paths is very unschooling friendly.

BTW, here's the link: http://www.mpnl.org/index.htm

Oh, and dig around some, I think they have a way of helping with high school transcripts.

[phathui5]

As far as high school goes, I will have the kids take the SAT and ACT. I will issue a high school transcript based on what they did during those years. I am also going to encourage them to take some classes at Baltimore community college so they can show grades when applying to other schools.

I don't think that I would want them to take the GED, as it's generally an indicator of not having finished high school and if we homeschool for high school, they did finish. Many colleges are becoming more homeschool friendly and even recruiting homeschooled students, so I'm not too worried about showing a diploma.

[Pariah]

phathui5, do you plan on showing a transcript for anything (like a job application or something similar) that requires a high school diploma? Is that generally accepted as a substitute, along with the test scores you mentioned?

Thanks again!

mary3mama, I will look at the site again for the high school info!

[panamama]

doesn't it differ in MD, by county?

we are not registered w/ any umbrella organization nor do we do anything formal (very unschool-y), and have been fine. yes, we did have to register with the county/district when we withdrew DS from school, but that's about it. no dealing with them since, unless you count the confirmation letter that we got from them stating he was an 'official registered HSer', or the few calls we got from the old school wondering where he was (even though we'd told them repeatedly he was outta there! ) also, the HS coordinator for our county is very anti-establishment and pro-parent/HSing/doing what works for the CHILD. :