When a sharp-eyed homeschooling grandmother checked the Maryland Department of Education (MDE) webpage recently, she noticed that something was not right. On the “Home Instruction in Maryland” page, under the header “What may a reviewer from the local system ask to see in a portfolio of materials?” the department had incorrectly stated that a reviewer from the local school system is allowed to “observe instruction[.]”

This language allowing public school officials to observe homeschool instruction had been in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), but was removed in 2019 during a major rewrite championed by HSLDA and MACHE.

HSLDA contacted MDE about the outdated online language, and we were pleased to receive a swift response from MDE staff acknowledging that they needed to update this section of their website, and they would do it as soon as possible. We are grateful for MDE’s swift work to ensure that their webpage is up-to-date with the COMAR regulations.

Protecting homeschooling families in Carroll County

We have previously written about issues in Maryland where school districts demanded that homeschooling families use online forms. This leads to multiple concerns, including some that we addressed in a Court Report article here.

Unfortunately, Carroll County Public Schools have now joined this group. Numerous HSLDA members alerted us to an email they received last month requiring all families (including families in umbrella groups) to notify the school system if they planned to continue homeschooling. The email also told families to use an online form, and closed with this ominous line, all in bold: “You must complete this form by midnight on 5/30/2025.”

None of this is required under COMAR regulations. We sent a letter to the Carroll County Public Schools superintendent’s office reminding officials what the law says.

Defending families across Maryland during portfolio reviews

We have also pushed back against multiple districts that appear to be trying to “crack down” on families who choose to homeschool under the portfolio review option. So far this year, school district personnel in St. Mary's County and Calvert County have informed HSLDA member families that their homeschool programs are “inadequate.”

We have also heard that several school district personnel have told families that “the state is cracking down on what they will and will not accept” when it comes to homeschooling families and their portfolios.

Unfortunately, this is not a new problem, as you can read here.

If you homeschool under the portfolio review option, we encourage you to review what is required under Maryland’s homeschool law. And, importantly, if you have run into issues, please contact our office.

If you are an HSLDA member, we encourage you to talk with our Maryland legal team in advance of any portfolio review, particularly if you live in St. Mary’s County, Calvert County, Allegany County, Cecil County, or Baltimore City, or if you have never been to a portfolio review before.

Conclusion

As always, we encourage you to immediately let us know if your school district is misstating the law, or asking for information not required under COMAR.

Defending your right to educate your children at home is personal to me, as a homeschool graduate and homeschooling dad. Rest assured that HSLDA will continue to defend, advance, and support you and your family, whether you educate your children under an umbrella group or under the portfolio review option.