Homeschooling in Massachusetts

DESE identifies compulsory school ages as 6 through 16.

Home education requires advance approval by the resident district under General Laws chapter 76 section 1 before instruction begins. Parents must notify the district, obtain its policy, and submit a proposed education plan, as notice alone does not authorize withdrawal or commencement.

The Charles decision permits review of instructor competence, but parents do not need teacher certification or a college degree. District officials may ask about relevant qualifications.

General Laws chapter 71 lists reading, spelling, writing, English and grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, United States history and constitutional studies, citizenship, health, physical education, and good behavior. Parents must build an age-appropriate plan and explain science and other subjects within the proposed program.

Parents must describe the proposed duration and frequency of instruction, including school year and hours, for district review. Public school structured learning time rules do not directly apply to home education as a fixed statewide mandate.

Parents and districts must agree on assessment methods, which may include periodic standardized testing or alternative evidence such as progress reports or dated work samples. Parents must retain resulting assessment records and the written approval decision.

Under the Brunelle ruling, routine home visits cannot be required without parental consent as an approval condition when the plan meets applicable standards.