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Home Education

The Central Berkshire Regional School Committee recognizes the right of parents or guardians toeducate their child(ren) at home. The School Committee appreciates the personal and cultural uniqueness of each family and desires to ensure that the process by which school officials approve and review home education programs is both lawful and equitable.

Parent(s) or guardian(s) planning to undertake a home education program for their school-age
child(ren) shall inform the superintendent by completing the Notice of Intent to Pursue a Home Education Program form, as approved by the school committee, prior to commencing a home education program.

Home education programs shall be considered in an equitable, objective, and timely manner. Factors that may be considered by the superintendent or school committee in deciding whether or not to approve a home education proposal are:

  1. The educational background, life experiences and/or other qualities of those who will be responsible for instructing the child(ren), as they relate to the educational program. Home educators need not be certified teachers nor have any diplomas or degrees.
  2. An overview of the educational program, including subjects, instructional materials, and the goals of the educational program.
  3. A statement concerning instructional hours that will be followed. This statement should conform to Massachusetts law requiring 900-990 hours depending on grade level.
  4. A mutually agreeable method of assessment of the student’s progress which corresponds to the type of educational program being followed, including one or more of the following:
    1. daily logs, journals, progress reports, portfolios or dated work samples submitted on a regular, agreed-upon basis,
    2. an independent report made by someone acceptable to both superintendent and parent(s) or guardian(s),
    3. standardized test results,
    4. consultation with the superintendent or appropriate school principal or his/her designee,
    5. any other method agreed upon by both superintendent or school committee and home educators.
  5. The school committee and/or the superintendent shall be informed, before the beginning of an ensuing school year, of the parent's or guardian's intent to continue with an approved home education program.

Notice of Intent to Pursue a Home Education Program

 

Applications can be faxed to (413) 684-4088, emailed to boconnor@cbrsd.org or mailed to:
Beth O'Connor
Central Berkshire Regional School District
254 Hinsdale Road
P.O. Box 299
Dalton, MA 01227