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Home Schooling and
Massachusetts Law

January 2001

Compulsory school age: Six to 16 years of age.

Legal option to homeschool: Establish and operate a home school as approved in advance by the local school committee or superintendent.

Attendance required: None specified, though 900 hours at elementary level and 990 hours at secondary level are expected.

Subjects required: Reading, writing, English language and grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, history, and constitution of United States, duties of citizenship, health (including CPR), physical education, and good behavior.

Teacher qualifications: None.

Notice required: A de facto part of the approval process.

Record keeping required: None.

Testing required: Annually, either: 1) administer a standardized test; must be administered by a neutral party, or 2) submit progress reports to the school district.

Source: Home School Legal Defense Association (www.hslda.org)

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