Frequently Asked Questions

Updated September 10, 2008

Q: Do I need to set up a classroom in my home?

A: No, your child simply needs an appropriate place to do his or her school work. 

Q: Must the parent/guardian be the teacher or can a tutor be hired to take care of instruction?

A: The parent/guardian is to be the provider of the instruction. Other adults can assist with a special area of interest, but cannot replace the parent. Supervision of Home Schooling can only be provided by the public school system or by Maryland State Department of Education registered non-public schools or correspondence courses.  Individuals cannot be hired for this supervisory function if they are not with MSDE for this purpose.

Q: Am I required to be a certified teacher?

A: No. There are no educational requirements for parents who want to homeschool their children. 

Q: How much time should be spent on instruction each day?

A: The amount of time needed to cover the required subjects will vary depending on the grade level and needs of the child. Some families find that instruction can be completed fairly quickly for younger children. Instruction for students in middle and high school students may require a school day similar in length to that of the public schools.

Q: Am I obliged to follow the public school calendar?

A: No. Parents may set their own school calendar. Maryland regulations simply state that instruction should “Take place on a regular basis during the school year and be of sufficient duration to implement the instruction program.”

Q: Should I keep a record of attendance and evaluations/ grades given to my child?

A: Maryland regulations do not require a record of attendance nor grades for homeschoolers. However, it is especially helpful to record grades for high school students desiring to attend college because most colleges require a high school transcript. Grades are a vital part of the high school transcript. State-registered umbrella programs may have may have their own evaluation and/or attendance requirements. 

Q: What areas of instruction are mandatory in my homeschooling?

A: Evidence of instruction in all of the following areas is required: English/Language Arts, Science, Math, Social Studies, Art, Music, Health and Physical Education. Although the following areas are not listed in the General Regulations, it is suggested that parents may want to include Instruction in Technology Education; (e.g. computers, other Technology, business, and industrial arts); Library/Media Skills; and Foreign Language.

Q:   Must I cover the required subjects (English, math, science, social studies, art, music, health, and physical education) each year?

Yes, in the elementary and middle school years. High school is different because students earn credits in subjects. Once a high school student has enough credits in a subject area, the subject does not need to be covered. .  Click here to view graduation requirements.

Q: What samples of my child's work should be available during the portfolio review?

Portfolios are unique and reflect the personality of the homeschooling family. Keep regular, dated samples of your child’s work- your student’s writing, worksheets, workbooks, creative materials, and tests.  Sometimes you won't have written work in each subject and sometimes you will. You can take photographs of art work and field trips. Parents have shown photographs of items such as butterfly gardens, ant farms, and history timelines. Some parents keep a list of field trips or books read. You may organize your portfolio in any manner. The most important consideration is that the material shown during the review demonstrates thorough and regular instruction in the required subjects.

Q: How often are portfolio reviews to take place?

A: Reviews will occur two (2) times per school year.  Following registration, the parent must contact Ms. Cyn Hadnott at 301-333-1001 or chadnott@pgcps.org to schedule the mandatory face-to-face portfolio review. 

Q: What happens if I don't have portfolio reviews? 

A: If you have not contacted Cyn Hadnott to schedule a portfolio review by May of the current school year, at end of the current school year, the Home School Notification Form you submitted will be placed as inactive in the home schooling database.  

Q: I am using material from a correspondence school/distance provider that is listed as "accredited." Does this exempt me from having portfolio reviews with a representative of Prince George's County Public Schools?  

“Accredited” is different from “registered.” There are many distance programs that are accredited but not registered. Here is a link where homeschoolers can check to see if their distance program or nonpublic school (umbrella) is state registered to conduct portfolio reviews. http://www.msde.state.md.us/nonpublic/home_instruction/DisplayLocationsByCounty.asp If your group is not listed you are required to keep a portfolio to show the county representative or meet the requirements of a registered nonpublic school.  

Q: If I am enrolled in a group that keeps my records and issues report cards, do I need to have portfolio reviews with a representative of Prince George's County Public Schools?   

Many such groups are not registered with the State of Maryland. Click here to see if your group is listed. http://www.msde.state.md.us/nonpublic/home_instruction/DisplayLocationsByCounty.asp  If your group is not listed you are required to keep a portfolio to show the county representative or meet the requirements of a registered nonpublic school.  

Q: I mail all of my child’s tests to a distance provider or correspondence school and it is not returned. How do I provide work samples? 

A: One option is to photocopy the child’s work before it is mailed.  Another option is to mail in tests but keep samples of daily work to show during portfolio reviews.   

Q: My child does all of his work online. Do I need to keep a portfolio and show dated samples?  

A: Yes. Copy your child's work into a word processing document before it is submitted online.  You may also ask the online provider how to download completed work.

Q: Does a portfolio review mean that a child meets the public school criteria for grade placements?

A: No. Homeschool reviews do not verify grades, grade placements, or credits for transfer into the public schools. These reviews are to assure that there is “regular, thorough instruction.” Reviews do not certify mastery of educational requirements for any particular grade level.

Q: What happens if the school system personnel are dissatisfied with the homeschooling?

A: If there is a deficiency in the program resulting in the child not receiving regular, thorough instruction, the parent will be notified and must provide evidence within 30 days that the deficiency has been corrected.  If the deficiency is not corrected, the child must be enrolled promptly in a public or nonpublic school.

Q: Who do I contact if I believe that there is a problem with a homeschooling family? 

A: If you are concerned about the education of a child, please contact Cyn Hadnott at chadnott@pgcps.org. In addition, Ms. Hadnott can be reached at 301-333-1001. Educational concerns should not be reported to Department of Social Services (DSS). DSS is for abuse/neglect and can be contacted at 301-909-2450 during the day hours, 9:00 - 4:30 p.m., and at 301-699-8605 during the evening hours and weekends.  You may also email Karyn T. Lynch, Director, at pgcdss@dhr.state.md.us

Q: What would the process be if I should decide to place my child back in school at some future date?

A: At least two weeks before you intend to enroll your child into public school, you must complete and mail an application for Admission into Prince George's County Public Schools from Home Schooling (Form PS-48).  You may obtain this application from the Department of Pupil Services and Guidance at (301) 749-4389. Upon enrollment, the parent should arrange a conference with the school principal to discuss the placement decision. An evaluation will be made by the school to determine proper placement. This evaluation could include standardized testing and/or interviews with the student to determine grade level and ability grouping.  

In order to award credits to high school students (grades 9-12) enrolling from non-approved or non-accredited schools, standardized testing is required (TAP tests). Once your child passes the TAP tests for the core subject areas, your child will receive four credits per grade (depending on which grade they will enter upon returning to public school). Also, if your child takes the TAP for Spanish or French, that will provide an additional credit as well. We do not transfer credits from any home schooling entity except Griggs University International Academy (formerly known as Home Study International).  

Q: Will a high school diploma be issued by Prince George's County Public Schools if I elect to have my child remain on homeschooling through grade 12?

A: No. Diplomas represent completion of Maryland State Department of Education graduation requirements by students who attend public schools.  Your child may choose to sit for the General Education Development (GED) Test.  In designing your high school curriculum, you may want to use the Prince George's County Public School's high school graduation requirements as a guide.  Click here to view graduation requirements. 

Q: Will my homeschooling program be accepted for college admission?

A: It depends on the college and your homeschool program. You are encouraged to make early contact with individual colleges and universities to determine their policies. Then, you can arrange your course work, recordkeeping, and testing to meet their requirements.

Q: Can my child take part in some aspects of the school instructional or extracurricular programs while receiving homeschooling?

A: No. 

Q: May my child participate in the regular testing program offered by the school system even though he/she is not enrolled?

A: Yes. A parent may request that their homeschool student participate in standardized testing programs administered by the school system. Testing will occur at the school where the student is eligible to attend. Arrangements must be made with the school prior to testing dates and the student must be brought to the school by the parent. Testing schedules are available upon request from each school (note that all grade levels are not tested each year). Testing results from participation in the PG County standardized testing program do not indicate public school grade placement, promotion, or course credits for homeschool students.

Q  Where, besides Prince George's County Public Schools, can I obtain testing information?  

A  Many home schooling cooperatives and support groups offer testing.  Please refer to the listing provided here for more testing information. 

Q: Must I file the Home Schooling Notification form to continue homeschooling each year?

A: No. The Home Schooling Notification form is only submitted once per student; it does not need to be re-submitted annually. However, those homeschooling under supervision by the Superintendent need to notify the Home Schooling Office (301) 333-1001 each school year to indicate whether or not they intend to continue homeschooling. The Home Schooling Office (301- 333-1001) should also be notified when there is a change in supervision from an umbrella program to the County, or from the County to an umbrella program.

Q: Do I need to register each child in my family?

A: Yes, whenever your children become school-aged, each one must be registered by application.

Q: May my child be evaluated for Special Education eligibility?

A:   If you believe your child should be evaluated to determine eligibility for Special Education services, please contact the Special Education Office at (301) 817-3139.

Q: What should I do if my family moves?

A: You should notify the Home Schooling Office at (301) 333-1001 with your change of status. If your move is within the County you will need to supply your new contact information to the Home Schooling Office. If you move out of the County and wish to continue homeschooling, contact the school system in your new area to inquire about their procedures.