Homeschool World Forum

[phiferan]

Correction: then instead of saying my experience is for Maryland, I should more accurately say that because the Maryland homeschooling law is actually administered by each separate county, and different people can act as your reviewer for each review (I have had a different reviewer every 6 months), then it can be really tough depending on who you get as reviewer. Yea, my county is more demanding, I live in a county closer to Washington, DC and I think a little more hostile to homeschoolers because the local public school system is revered as being a very good one. As you know, in Maryland, the state issues the homeschooling law; however, the county you live in actually administers it and conducts the reviews. And the Maryland law states that your, “home instruction program shall be reviewed by the local superintendent or the superintendent's designee at the conclusion of each semester of the local school system.” So my county asks us to come in twice a year and because one of the reviews is during the middle of the school year, the reviewers feel they have more opportunity to make requirements because they have the rest of the school year to ensure that their suggestions are enforced. On top of all this, the Maryland state law even permits a portfolio review up the 3 times a year. So, it’s extremely arbitrary depending upon where you live in Maryland. I should say I wish I lived in your county in Maryland. Nevertheless, Maryland is more lenient than some states such as New York, where you have to send in paperwork 4 times a year. And, there are no standardized testing requirements. And there is not a requirement to have a certified teacher sign off on the school work done, as in Florida. Thanks.
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Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:39

[micheller79]

Wow. I guess i should be thankful i am not in a more difficult state.
We got our porfolio back this week and again i don't think anyone ever opened it. We have to supply our own evaluator who is a teacher with a valid cetificate in the grade of the child. This year she did give me a few heads up on my daughters progress. she was concerned with her math skills, because she is needing to progress to a higher level of math this year. So, I am armed with flash cards and hope we can go forward. I am seriously considering cyber school but my husband has reservations.