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Homeschooling in Montgomery CountyWelcome to the xMinds Homeschooling webpage! Whether you’re considering homeschooling an autistic child in Montgomery County, MD, or you’re a current homeschooling family, you’ll find information and resources to help you on your journey. Some families find that homeschooling is the best fit for their autistic children. At times, traditional school can be overwhelming and stressful for autistic students. Busy classrooms, bustling hallways, and a crowded cafeteria can lead to sensory overstimulation. Unfortunately, schools can’t meet the special needs and education goals of every student. Even autistic students who excel in academic coursework may struggle in social situations or have difficulty understanding the intentions of their classmates and teachers. This can sometimes lead to behavioral concerns. For these students, homeschooling may provide a nurturing environment in which they can grow and develop. Homeschooling allows for individualized programs, breaks as needed, and scheduling around therapy appointments and other services. Getting StartedIf you’re thinking about homeschooling, you’re not alone. Nationwide, the number of homeschooled students nearly doubled from between 1999 and 2016, increasing from 850,000 to almost 1.7 million, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). About 16 percent of homeschooling families identify their student’s special needs as an important reason for selecting homeschooling, according to NCES. In Montgomery County, just over 2,500 students were homeschooled in 2018-19, pre-covid. Homeschooling surged in popularity during the pandemic, with over 4,500 homeschooled county students in 2020-21 , according to the Maryland State Department of Education. That number saw a slight decline to 4,129 students in 2021-22. See more homeschooling statistics across Maryland. All 50 states permit homeschooling, with each state determining the related regulations. Under Maryland law, a parent or guardian who chooses to teach his or her child at home must provide “regular, thorough instruction in the studies usually taught in the public schools to children of the same age.” For families living in Montgomery County, supervision or oversight of this instruction may be done in one of two ways: • Option A: Under the supervision of Montgomery County Public Schools. The family maintains a portfolio for each child receiving home instruction and submits the portfolio(s) for review to MCPS near the conclusion of each semester. or, • Option B: Under the supervision of a nonpublic entity registered with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Also known as “home-school umbrellas,” these entities are often affiliated with a church or religious organization and generally charge a membership fee. Homeschool umbrellas often provide support to their members as well as portfolio reviews. They sometimes require specific courses and a statement of faith.
With either option, families must complete and return the Home Instruction Notification Form 270-34 to MCPS at least 15 days prior to beginning home instruction. In subsequent years, families must complete and return the Annual Notification to Continue Home Instruction Form 270-36. To find the full procedures — including information on how to create the portfolio required in Option A and how to undergo the portfolio review process — families can refer to MCPS’s Home Instruction webpage. Homeschooling provides a great deal of freedom, but along with that comes the responsibility of providing instruction. There is no one way to homeschool. Options include online courses, in-person experiences and classes, self-directed learning, at-home tutors, participation in a homeschool co-op, guardian/parent-led instruction, and purchased curricula, some complete with workbooks, learning manipulatives, and materials for science experiments. Families often mix and match to find what works best for their children. Below are resources and information to help guide your homeschooling journey. Please note that inclusion of any organizations, services, products, or classes on this page does not constitute an endorsement by xMinds. We welcome recommendations of additional resources. General Resources
Important ConsiderationsWhile there are plenty of upsides to homeschooling, families should be aware that it means losing the following benefits that come along with public education: Maryland Special Education Services. Maryland public schools are not required to provide special education and related services to homeschooled students, other than Child Find evaluations. However, a local school system may choose to offer services. The only direct services MCPS offers students on home instruction is speech and language related services, provided through a modified IEP. MCPS will also provide a 15-minute case management consultation if the family wishes to access county or state-wide assessments. This practice is subject to change as the Maryland State Department of Education brings new and updated decisions. Contact your local school for more information. For more background, see the 2006 statement from Maryland’s attorney general stating “neither IDEA nor the State education law requires that a local school system provide speech therapy services to a home-schooled student. However, neither do they bar the school system from providing such services.” Maryland Autism Waiver. Homeschooled students in Maryland are not eligible for an autism waiver. To qualify, a school-age child must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or an Individualized Family Service Plan with at least15 hours of special education and related services, making homeschooled students ineligible. The Maryland Autism Waiver Program provides services to autistic children and young adults, ages 2 through 21, who are at risk of being institutionalized. Waiver services support these individuals in their homes and communities, and include therapeutic integration, intensive individual support services, and respite care. Given that there’s a long waitlist — currently about eight years — homeschooling families interested in Autism Waiver services, are encouraged to register now and see what their circumstances are once their child gets to the top of the list. State-Issued High School Diploma. While Maryland law allows students to meet their education requirements through home instruction, these students do not earn a Maryland high school diploma for completing a home instruction program. However, students can pursue a state-issued diploma by taking the GED test. Individuals who pass all four modules of the GED test are awarded a Maryland High School Diploma. Umbrella organizations and homeschooling parents can create their own diplomas indicating that a student completed a course of study, but this is not a state-issued diploma and cannot be labeled so. For more information on diploma options, see the Maryland Homeschool Association site. Local In-Person ResourcesHomeschool co-ops Some homeschooling families choose to join a co-op, a group of parents/guardians who come together to provide instruction to their children in certain subjects or on certain days. Families all pitch in, dividing teaching duties and other responsibilities, or collectively hiring teachers. These programs foster a sense of community, teach students how to work together, and expose students to different teaching styles. Co-ops allow parents/guardians to share their strengths, and in turn, their kids benefit from others’ expertise. Co-ops can be an important part of a home instruction plan, assuming they follow state regulations. The Maryland State Department of Education notes that “a co-op cannot provide regular daily instruction to an organized group of students who are not in the same family because this may constitute an unapproved nonpublic ‘school.’” For more details, see this explanation by the Maryland Homeschool Association and Question 9 of the MSDE’s Frequently Asked Questions. Before joining a co-op, check whether it is appropriate for your child’s special needs. Most co-ops require parents to be on-site, which could provide your child with additional support. Below is a list of some local co-ops; this is not an endorsement.
Classes The following classes are geared toward homeschooled students and are usually scheduled during typical school hours. They are also known to be receptive to neurodiverse students. Be sure to check with the organization or teacher to ensure that these programs are a good fit for your child and can support specific special needs. This is not an endorsement of any specific programs or classes. For a list of activities for autistic students, see our Recreational Activity Guide.
Professional Services The following professionals assist families with homeschooling. Inclusion in this listing does not constitute an endorsement. Suzanne Keith Blattner and Associates Contact: Suzanne Keith Blattner, skb.edu@mac.com, 301-758-4275 Ms. Blattner and her associates are highly skilled and experienced professionals who have provided supports to families of students with special learning needs for over 30 years. Jean Hickey, academic therapist with Suzanne Keith Blattner and Associates and former homeschooling parent, is offering families supports to enhance curricula and related activities for students enrolled in any type of virtual academy or remote learning. She will review the student’s program as it is delivered remotely and assist parents with appropriate accommodations and materials to enhance access. She can also advise families about small-group activities for academic enrichment, music, art, and movement opportunities. Exceptional Educational Solutions Contact: Stephanie Frumkin, M.A.Ed., Stephanie@exceptionaleducationalsolutions.com, 724-320-9026 Stephanie Frumkin, M.A. Ed., is an educational consultant serving bright students with learning differences in the DC area. She helps parents find the best educational environment for their unique learners. She works collaboratively with families to set up their children for success in homeschooling, including matching them with best-fit curricula, tutors, classes, co-ops, therapists, umbrella groups, and social opportunities. She helps new homeschoolers get started by discussing their responsibilities and education styles, building a schedule that works for the whole family, and preparing for homeschool reviews. She personally homeschooled her own children and ran a branch of a homeschool umbrella group. Contact: Kathy Kuhl, kathy@learndifferently.com A former MCPS teacher who went on to homeschool her dyslexic son, Kathy Kuhl of Learn Differently helps parents with setting goals, planning, scheduling, extracurriculars, finding curriculum, and support. Drawing from her experience working with hundreds of families and presenting to hundreds more, Kathy is able to share insights and help parents avoid being overwhelmed and think globally. She’s presented workshops at the national conferences of Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD), Learning Disabilities Association (LDA), and the Autism Society of America (ASA). She is also the author of "Homeschooling Your Struggling Learner." Contact: Eve Margol, (240) 644-4648, eve@linked-education.com LinkEducation Resources offers support for both typical and exceptional students in understanding and developing underlying academic areas of weakness and identifying strengths. This is done using an individualized tutoring approach, which combines research-based programs such as Orton Gillingham, Lindamood Bell, Handwriting Without Tears, and Framing Your Thoughts. Additionally, LER integrates strategies that will enable students to problem solve, stay organized, and master challenging academic environments independently.
Homeschool days/field trips Montgomery County and the surrounding area abound with opportunities to explore and learn about nature, history, science, the arts, and more. Many local facilities offer “homeschool days” with programs designed to enrich home instruction. Families might also create their own field trips — or they can simply embed outings to local playgrounds, swimming pools, nature centers, and gymnastics studios into their day. Below are a few local opportunities to explore. Check websites for current schedules and openings as programs may change.
For information about additional Homeschool Days, check out this resource listing from the Maryland Homeschool Association. For field trip suggestions, see these lists compiled by The Homeschool Mom and by Time4Learning. Some facilities offer virtual field trips. MCPS Virtual AcademyMCPS offers an online learning option for students in kindergarten to Grade 12. Known as Montgomery Virtual Academy, the program lets students take classes from home, but it is not considered “homeschooling” or "home instruction." Montgomery Virtual Academy is now accepting applications to be placed on the waitlist for the 2023-24 school year. Virtual academy students are enrolled in MCPS; courses are taught by MCPS teachers; and students can participate in MCPS extracurricular activities. The Virtual Academy offers a comprehensive, full-time online instructional program. Students interested in the program are required to apply for admission and must be approved to participate. (Students currently enrolled in the Virtual Academy do not need to reapply.) Admission considerations include: For elementary school students: Primarily for students with extenuating circumstances related to health or other reasons that can be mitigated through a virtual learning program. For middle and high school students: For students to gain access to innovative courses, flexible scheduling and specialty courses that may not be available in all schools, and for students with extenuating circumstances, including health and other reasons, that can be mitigated through a virtual program. If your child has an IEP, be sure to check how placement in the virtual academy could affect any services your child receives. For more information, see the MCPS Virtual Academy. Homeschooling StylesOne of the beauties of homeschooling is that families can select an instruction style that works best for their children. “Unschooling” or “self-directed learning” is a popular style for teaching autistic homeschooled children. Rather than having a rigid curriculum, this method allows students to follow their natural curiosity and explore topics that interest them; parents/guardians or tutors facilitate learning. In contrast, some autistic students do well with Direct Instruction, which emphasizes well-developed and carefully planned lessons designed around small learning increments and clearly defined and prescribed teaching tasks. The articles below describe some of the most popular homeschooling styles. But don’t feel limited by these. Families often adapt these styles or combine approaches to fit their needs.
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