Massachusetts homeschool laws
High regulation State Rank 54 of 56 (1 = easiest)
Confidence: Medium · Last verified:
Current regulations
Notification & registration Requirement exists
Annual notice of intent; approval by superintendent/school committee, which may review proposed curriculum and hours, parent competency, materials, and assessment method.
Parent / instructor qualifications Requirement exists
Parent competency may be considered (no degree required).
Required subjects Requirement exists
Spelling, reading, writing, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, music, U.S. history and Constitution, duties of citizenship, health (incl. CPR), physical education, good behavior.
Testing & assessment Requirement exists
Superintendent/committee may require periodic standardized tests or substitutes (progress reports, work samples) by mutual agreement; standard is equal 'thoroughness, efficiency and progress' to district schools.
Records, days & reporting Requirement exists
No explicit record-keeping requirement; assessments may require work samples. Hours considered in review.
Oversight Requirement exists
Local superintendent / school committee (approval).
Immunization & other requirements None in scored pathway
None stated.
Legal pathways
- Home education approved by local school committee/superintendent (Care and Protection of Charles, 1987)
Scored pathway: District-approved home education. The score uses the least-burdensome parent-led pathway defined in law (see methodology).
Who to notify & where to start
Annual notice of intent; approval by superintendent/school committee, which may review proposed curriculum and hours, parent competency, materials, and assessment method.
Official agency / statute links:
Recent changes
None identified.
How the score breaks down
Regulation burden 61.3 / 100 → freedom score 38.8. Bars show burden points per criterion (longer = more burdensome). HSLDA's own map tier for comparison: High (summary dated 2025-03-27).
Data notes
- Practice varies widely by district.
Sources
Primary / official
- Care and Protection of Charles, 399 Mass. 324 (1987) — Linked by HSLDA; not independently fetched
Last verified . Spot an error or an update? See how to report a correction or email support@homeschoollawmap.com.
Helpful resources for Massachusetts families
Types of services families in this jurisdiction commonly look for, based on the requirements above. These are categories, not endorsements.
Standardized testing services
Nationally normed achievement tests that families can order for home administration or take at a testing site.
Why shown: Massachusetts's scored pathway includes a testing or assessment requirement.
Partner links coming soon.
Curriculum and course providers
Complete curricula, single-subject courses, and online programs, including options organized around required subjects.
Why shown: Massachusetts lists required subjects or curriculum expectations.
Partner links coming soon.
Record-keeping and planning tools
Attendance logs, lesson planners, transcript and portfolio organizers for keeping the records your jurisdiction may ask for.
Why shown: Massachusetts asks for notices, records, attendance, or instruction time in the scored pathway.
Partner links coming soon.
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