Maine Homeschool Reporting & Compliance: Annual Checklist

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Key Takeaways:

Annual assessment must be submitted to superintendent by September 1 (deadline: firm)
Notice of Intent required within 10 days of starting; annual renewal recommended
175 days of instruction required; no hourly requirement
Required subjects must be documented; teacher certification not required
Superintendent has limited authority; main requirement is annual assessment

Maine’s homeschool law is straightforward, but deadlines and specific requirements matter. This checklist walks you through annual compliance so you stay organized and avoid problems.

Pre-Start Checklist (Before Day 1)

[ ] Identify your local superintendent and commissioner of education
Find superintendent contact at your school district website
Maine Commissioner of Education: maine.gov/doe
Get superintendent’s email, mailing address, phone

[ ] Gather required subject information
Print Maine’s required subjects list (ELA, math, science/technology, social studies, PE, health, library skills, fine arts, Maine studies if 6–12, computer proficiency if 7–12)
Plan which curriculum covers each subject

[ ] Select your assessment method
Option 1: Standardized test (SAT, ACT, WISC, state-approved)
Option 2: Professional evaluation (psychoeducational, educational assessment)
Option 3: Portfolio assessment (work samples, projects, narrative)
Option 4: Superintendent-approved alternative

[ ] Prepare to file Notice of Intent
Within 10 days of starting, file with superintendent AND commissioner
Include: child’s name, age, address, assessment method you’ll use
File can be simple letter: “I am homeschooling [child name], DOB [date], residing at [address]. Assessment method: [portfolio/standardized test/etc.]”

Startup Checklist (First 10 Days)

[ ] File Notice of Intent
To: Local superintendent and Maine Commissioner of Education
Include: child’s name, DOB, address, homeschool location (your home), assessment method
Method: Email or certified mail (both work)
Deadline: Within 10 days of starting
Keep: Copy for your records

[ ] Set up record-keeping system
Create attendance tracking method (calendar, spreadsheet, notebook)
Organize curriculum materials and resources
Decide on portfolio structure if using that assessment
Set up digital or physical filing system

[ ] Begin documenting
Start attendance log
Record curriculum used in each subject
Begin collecting work samples if doing portfolio

Ongoing Checklist (Throughout School Year)

[ ] Track 175 instructional days
Log each day of instruction (month-by-month is sufficient)
Count days; exclude holidays, breaks, illness, absences
Goal: 175 days by mid-late June
Note: No hourly requirement, but days should include meaningful instruction time

[ ] Document curriculum and subjects
Keep list of textbooks, curriculum materials, online programs used
Track which subjects each resource covers
Note any gaps in required subjects

[ ] Maintain attendance and progress records
Monthly summary (or weekly if preferred): “September: 18 days of instruction”
Note any extended absences or adjustments
Keep reading lists, project documentation, work samples

[ ] Plan and document assessment
If standardized testing: Register for test; arrange testing location and time
If portfolio: Collect and organize work samples; begin writing cover letter
If professional evaluation: Schedule evaluator for late May or June
If superintendent-approved alternative: Clarify method with superintendent before June 30

[ ] Stay compliant with required subjects
Ensure instruction in all required subjects
Document how each subject is covered (can be through curriculum, independent reading, field trips, projects, etc.)
Maine Studies (grades 6–12): Include Maine history, geography, or culture

[ ] Optional: Connect with Maine homeschool community
Join HOME (Homeschoolers of Maine) or MHEA (Maine Homeschool Education Association)
Attend local homeschool co-op or meetings (helpful for ideas, support, resources)
Network with other homeschoolers (accountability, encouragement)

Late Spring Checklist (May–June)

[ ] Complete instruction days
Finish by mid-to-late June (allows time for assessment before September 1)
Final count: 175+ days documented

[ ] Finalize assessment
Standardized testing: Confirm test date, location, registration
Portfolio: Compile all work samples; write cover letter explaining curriculum, progress, required subjects coverage
Professional evaluation: Complete evaluation; obtain written report
Superintendent-approved: Finalize whatever alternative method was approved

[ ] Prepare documentation for submission
Gather all assessment materials (test results, portfolio, evaluation report)
Prepare cover letter explaining assessment method and results
Include: attendance documentation (175 days), curriculum outline, required subjects checklist
Organize clearly (physical binder or digital PDF)

[ ] Optional: Schedule superintendent check-in
Contact superintendent in May: “I’m finishing my assessment documentation; when/how would you like me to submit it?”
Clarify submission method: email, in-person, certified mail, etc.
Ask about any questions or concerns (proactive communication prevents problems)

Pre-Deadline Checklist (August)

[ ] Complete all assessment documentation
Receive standardized test results and scores
Finalize portfolio with annotations and narrative
Receive professional evaluation report, if applicable
Ensure all materials are organized and professional

[ ] Confirm September 1 deadline details
Contact superintendent: “What is the exact process for submitting assessment by September 1?”
Get superintendent’s preferred submission method and address
Clarify whether email is acceptable or if physical copy required

[ ] Prepare final submission package
Assessment results (test scores, portfolio, evaluation)
Cover letter (1–2 pages) explaining assessment method, results, and compliance with required subjects
Optional: Attendance log, curriculum overview, required subjects documentation

[ ] Consider: Submit early
September 1 is the deadline, but submitting in mid-August eliminates stress
Superintendent may contact you with questions; early submission allows time to address them
Early submission demonstrates organization and professionalism

Submission Checklist (August 15–September 1)

[ ] Submit assessment to superintendent
By September 1 (deadline is firm—state law requirement)
Include: Assessment results, explanatory cover letter, documentation of 175 days
Method: Email (safest for proof of delivery) or certified mail
If mailing: Allow time for postal delivery; consider certified mail for proof

[ ] Keep copies for your records
Save copy of everything submitted
Keep email confirmation or certified mail receipt
File in your homeschool records folder

[ ] Wait for superintendent response
Superintendent may approve assessment or request additional information
Respond promptly to any inquiries
If no response within 2–3 weeks, follow up (politely): “Did you receive my assessment submission for [child name]?”

[ ] Document approval
Superintendent should confirm receipt and approval (may be brief: “Assessment received and approved”)
Keep confirmation for your records
You’ve completed compliance for the school year

Important Notes on Deadlines

September 1 is the FIRM deadline. The law states assessment must be submitted by September 1. Do not miss this date. If you will miss it:

Contact superintendent immediately
Explain delay reason
Propose alternate submission date
Request flexibility (though technically not required by law)

Late submission may trigger superintendent inquiry or informal probation. Avoid this by planning early.

What If Superintendent Has Concerns?

If your assessment is questioned or deemed insufficient:

Request clarification: “What specifically is inadequate about my assessment?”
Provide additional documentation: More work samples, test scores, professional evaluation
Demonstrate 175 days: Attendance log showing instruction
Show curriculum: Documentation of materials used in each required subject
Schedule meeting: Offer to meet with superintendent to discuss program

Most concerns can be resolved with additional documentation. Superintendent authority is limited; they cannot require specific curriculum or teaching style, only proof of instruction in required subjects and annual assessment.

If You Transfer to Public School Mid-Year

If your child transitions to public school during the school year:

Submit assessment for completed portion of year to superintendent
Provide documentation (attendance, records, work samples) to receiving school
Public school may request placement testing
Your homeschool assessment and records facilitate transition

Ongoing Compliance (Year 2+)

Repeat this checklist annually
Same deadlines each year (September 1 for assessment)
Same required subjects (unless your child is 5 or under, who are not required)
Same 175-day requirement

Contact Information

Maine Department of Education: maine.gov/doe; phone 207-624-6600
Your Local Superintendent: Find through school district website (search “[town] Maine school superintendent”)
Maine Parent Federation (Parent Training & Information): mainepta.org; provides information on educational rights and requirements
HOME (Homeschoolers of Maine): Community support and resources
MHEA (Maine Homeschool Education Association): Community support and legal guidance

Final Checklist: Am I Legally Compliant?

Ask yourself:

[ ] Did I file Notice of Intent within 10 days of starting?
[ ] Have I documented 175 instructional days?
[ ] Am I covering all required subjects?
[ ] Have I selected an assessment method (standardized test, portfolio, professional evaluation, or superintendent-approved)?
[ ] Will I submit assessment results by September 1?
[ ] Do I have documentation (attendance, curriculum, work samples)?

If you can check all these boxes, you’re compliant with Maine law.

For detailed Maine law information, see Maine homeschool laws. For assessment guidance, see Maine homeschool testing and building a homeschool portfolio in Maine.