When I started this site ten years ago, I was a new homeschooler--having only gone through PreK and K with my oldest daughter. Those first few years feel like a very long time ago. Yesterday, I was reading a discussion on Facebook about what to expect from a review with a Pupil Personnel Services Worker in Harford County and what records are recommended to be kept. The county and each umbrella requires different things so it can seem confusing sometimes. But, when it comes down to it, the law is the same. As homeschoolers, we are required to show that our children are receiving regular and thorough instruction. The law does not specify hours per day. It does not require that certain curriculum be used. It does not require that our art materials not be located in the room that we use as a classroom.
Over the years, I have heard some interesting things said by people who review with the counties (Baltimore, Cecil, and Harford) about what records we have to keep or don't have to keep. Several years ago, one mom shared with me that there are curriculums her reviewer said she could and could not use. This isn't true. The same reviewer told her she was required to keep all of her child's work for the past five years. Again, this is not true and is not in the law. If you choose to report to the county, they cannot require your children to be present at the review. They cannot require you to leave the room while they speak to your children privately. They cannot require you to use an hourly daily schedule (and post it on the wall) instead of a routine, as most homeschoolers I know use.
A planner and work samples are usually required by both umbrellas and the counties. One commenter on Facebook mentioned a field trip list being required. This is where umbrellas and the county diverge. Salem Christian's umbrella a reading list of books students have read over the course of the year and 75 hours of volunteer work for high schoolers. Churchville Christian's umbrella asks for a portfolio review to show that work has been completed--which can include the workbooks and journal or a reading list, but they are not as specific and do not explicitly require to see a planner. On the other hand, some county reviewers ask to see things like a list of field trips or pictures. County reviewers require 2-3 reviews a year, but umbrellas only require 1 at the end of the year.
I have heard from many people who have had a good experience reviewing with the county, but also from others who find it to be a tough experience. Why do people choose this route?
1. For religious reasons--a desire not to teach religion as some umbrellas require.
2. Because it is Free. This is the primary reason I have heard from most families I've known who have chosen to report to an umbrella.
3. Because the umbrella system may seem complicated.
4. Because someone might think they have to and not know that they have another option--to go with an umbrella.
5. Because it is one of the few services our public schools provide for homeschoolers. The other services homeschoolers are eligible for are speech therapy at the schools and to take the state standardized tests (if you wish). There is a law in Maryland that homeschoolers are not allowed to participate in any public school activities or classes.
6. Because the records and proof the county reviewers ask of families push them to push themselves.
I've heard each of these reasons from different families. Every family makes their own decisions about whether to belong to an umbrella or report to the county. If you choose to report to the county, you may want to join HSLDA so that you can contact HSLDA for legal counsel if you have questions about what the state can and cannot require of you. On HSLDA's website, there is information about the laws in Maryland about homeschooling.
For more information about the umbrellas available and how they work, click on the pages on this website for more information.