News & Events
Field Trip Survey Results, Part 1: Museums & History
Recently we asked for your field trip suggestions across New England. Many of you responded, telling us your favorites and your hidden gems. Since we got so many good responses, we will present the information in two sections. Today we begin with museums, historical sites, and more. Stay tuned for everything science and nature in a future edition.
How often do you go?
One of the biggest advantages of homeschooling is the freedom it gives to explore new places, and to do so at off-peak hours. So how often are homeschoolers in Massachusetts getting out there? We found that there is really a range—80% of you are getting out there anywhere from once a week to once a quarter. Some only manage a field trip a few times a year (15%) but some diehards (5%) are getting out more than once a week!
Where do you go?
With history all around us, lots of natural beauty, and tons of culture, there is no shortage of field trip options in New England. So where are you going?
Most Recommendations
The big winner in our survey — Read more ▸
Frequently Asked Questions: End-of-Year Evaluations
It's that time of year. Many of us are finishing up one school year and thinking about reporting for the next. Whether this is your first year reporting or you are an experienced homeschooler, AHEM has answers to all your evaluation questions.
What forms of evaluation are acceptable?
CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHARLES & others, 399 Mass. 324 (1987) says that school officials and parents should agree on a method of evaluation that may include one of the following approaches: standardized testing, periodic progress report, or dated work samples. Other methods of assessment, if mutually agreed upon by parents and school officials, are also allowed.
How often do I need to send an evaluation? What is my town asks for a mid-year report?
Field Trip Survey
Do you have a favorite field trip? A hidden gem your family has enjoyed that you'd be willing to share? We'd love to hear from you. Share your experiences exploring New England and we will share the results in an upcoming newsletter.
Responses may be used in AHEM emails and shared on the AHEM website. Responses may also be edited for space and content.
Create your own user feedback surveyConnecting with Others: Town Point People
Are you looking to connect with others in your town? Would you like to meet more people and to help local homeschoolers?
AHEM's Town Point People (TPPs) are local contacts who help homeschoolers make connections and find resources and groups near them. We've got over 50 towns covered so far but with over 300 towns in Massachusetts there are a lot more out there and we need your help to make sure all Massachusetts homeschoolers can be connected with someone local.
If your town is listed, we can connect you with the TPP in your town.
If your town isn't listed, we are still looking for a local contact. Read here if you would like to find out about being a TPP yourself.
In Praise of Park Days
By Roberta Van Vlack
Park days have long been a staple of my family’s homeschooling life. With four kids, these informal, weekly gatherings have provided everyone (even mom) with an opportunity to make friends and socialize in a way that no co-op we found ever could. Park days were the one constant in our schedule from year to year. (My high school age daughter did the recorded version of Spanish 3 because the live class would have interfered with park day. One has to have priorities, you know.)
Park days are a melting pot. Homeschooling in Massachusetts attracts a pretty diverse group of people, and the families at our local park day have come from all different backgrounds and perspectives. I have seen the same scene countless times -- kids of different genders and ages running around together. And not just running but playing organized games without any adult input. If you have doubts that homeschoolers can be properly “socialized,” this is the place to go to put those doubts to rest. In my experience, homeschooling kids are incredibly patient and accepting of others who are different in any way. They are used to being with kids who don’t fit the usual mold.
If all that doesn’t convince you, how about this: park days are for parents too. You can post online all you want but nothing compares to getting together with other homeschooling parents for some actual mid-day adult conversation. Read more ▸
Maintaining Homeschool Freedom
What’s at stake?
Homeschooling is still sometimes misunderstood by conventional educators, legislators, homeschoolers’ friends and relatives, and the general public. Homeschooling is not school at home. That is not why it works or what makes it valuable. The strength of homeschooling is that it allows a diversity of families to teach theirchildren in the way that is best for them, with the flexibility to meet children’s changing needs.
Would a statute serve us better than the current case law? Why can’t all homeschoolers in Massachusetts participate in school activities? Shouldn’t we get vouchers or tax credits to defray the cost of homeschooling? Below, we consider whether these ideas would expand or diminish homeschooling freedom. Read more ▸
Your Best Homeschooling Memories
Inspiration from Your Fellow Homeschoolers
We asked you to share with us your best homeschooling memories—field trips, books, projects, and just snapshots from daily life. So many of you responded that it is going to take us at least two newsletters-worth to share all your wonderful responses. A big thank you to all who contributed. We at AHEM were inspired and we hope that you will be too.
“Endless days at the pool and our favorite parks”
– my Five
“My favorite memory of homeschooling my son is a field trip to a local park for a science lesson! He loved being outside and in nature for school!”
– Andrea from Gardner
“When my in-laws, who are public school and were suspicious of homeschooling, told me I was doing an amazing job, and bragged to others about it.”
– Lizzie from Framingham
Reading the Massachusetts Homeschool Laws
At AHEM, our mission is to empower you as the homeschooling parent. While we are always happy to talk through issues you may be facing, our goal is to give you the tools you need to advocate for yourself. The AHEM website is chock full of resources to help you do just that.
As you educate your children, we encourage you to also educate yourself. Reading through case law may not be something you have ever done before and the task may seem daunting. We are here to help. In this short piece we talk about who should read the laws and why, what they consist of, and how to read them. Read more ▸
Your Best Homeschooling Memories
Inspiration from Your Fellow Homeschoolers
Last month we asked you to share with us your best homeschooling memories -- field trips, books, projects, and just snapshots from daily life. So many of you responded that it is going to take us at least two newsletters-worth to share all your wonderful responses. A big thank you to all who contributed. We at AHEM were inspired and we hope that you will be too.
“Endless days at the pool and our favorite parks”
– my Five
“My favorite memory of homeschooling my son is a field trip to a local park for a science lesson! He loved being outside and in nature for school!”
– Andrea from Gardner
“When my in-laws, who are public school and were suspicious of homeschooling, told me I was doing an amazing job, and bragged to others about it.”
– Lizzie from Framingham
AHEM Needs YOU!
Your skills, expertise, and helping hands!
AHEM is “staffed” by a handful of currently homeschooling or formerly homeschooling parent volunteers. To stay viable, we need young families with skin in the game who care about keeping independent homeschooling as an educational option to step up and help out if Massachusetts homeschoolers are to keep the right to homeschool the way they want to homeschool.
Several virtual opportunities are available:
- URGENT NEED: Help Monitor Upcoming Legislation - Assist in keeping an eye on state-wide legislation that may affect homeschooling. Request more info
- Town Point Person - As a town point person you would be a contact in your town for homeschooling families, new and established, trying to connect with others locally. More info here.
- Write Meet Massachusetts Homeschoolers piece - We are seeking pieces for our Meet Massachusetts Homeschoolers feature. This is a great chance to talk about yourself, what makes your homeschooling unique. We welcome writing by children, teens, and adults. More info here.
- Train to be a County Contact - Are you an experienced homeschooler looking to help others? Our county contacts respond to inquiries from homeschoolers across the state. We will train and equip you to help with this important part of our mission. Fill out our volunteer application.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, or have another skill or talent you think would be valuable to share, please get in touch or fill out our volunteer application today. We are more than happy to give you details. Thanks so much for considering!
AHEM BoardSophia, Sarah, and Roberta
Help Getting Started Homeschooling
With the new year, we see a number of people looking to make a change in their children's education. It may be that you are considering homeschooling your own children or maybe you have a friend that is starting to ask about the process. Either way, the AHEM website has everything one needs to get started homeschooling in Massachusetts.
The first step to start officially homeschooling is to submit an education plan to your local school superintendent or school committee. Traditionally, this has been done via a certified letter sent to your local superintendent’s office though many towns will now also accept emailed plans (it doesn't hurt to send it both ways). Either way, be sure to get a receipt. If you are withdrawing your child mid-year, you may also want to notify the school that your child won’t be returning.
Also, remember, kindergarten is not mandatory in Massachusetts. Compulsory attendance is in effect from ages 6 – 16. You only need to submit a plan for the 2022-2023 school year if your child turned 6 in 2022. You would submit an education plan for the 2023-2024 school year if your child turns 6 in 2023. Read more ▸
Homeschooling Fact Check
Top Myths Debunked
AHEM's Homeschooling Fact Check examines some of the most common questions we receive and some of the biggest myths about homeschooling in Massachusetts.
Questions we have answered include: Read more ▸
Tell Us Your Homeschooling Story
We want to hear your story
We've had great feedback about our Meet Massachusetts Homeschoolers series. Every homeschooling journey is unique. Maybe you have a story about why you decided to homeschool or how you educate. Maybe there is that one field trip or project that you think could inspire others. Or maybe you just want to share a day in the life of your family. Whatever your homeschooling story, we'd love to tell it in our Meet Massachusetts Homeschoolers series. (There is no age limit—stories from and by kids are welcome!)
If you are interested in submitting your story, here are the guidelines:
- 500 – 750 words.
- You can make your own deadline or ask for one.
- The piece will be published at the discretion of AHEM and is subject to editing.
- The writer will see/can approve the edited version before publication if desired.
- If published, the piece may appear in an AHEM email and on our website.
- You will retain your copyright to the piece.
Questions or ready to send us your piece? info@ahem.info.
Explore past pieces for inspiration. Read more ▸
Your Progress Report Questions Answered
This time of year we begin to receive questions about progress reports. Some are already worrying about what they will submit at the end of the year; others are being asked for a midyear report.
Progress reports written by the parent are an acceptable form of evaluation.
In Massachusetts, homeschooling parents, as the teachers of their children, are responsible for evaluating their progress. CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHARLES & others, 399 Mass. 324 (1987) clearly outlines three forms of evaluation: “Other means of evaluating the progress of the children may be substituted for the formal testing process, such as periodic progress reports or dated work samples, subject to the approval of the parents.” (Charles at 340) Parents may choose one of them to fulfill their responsibility. Read more ▸
Homeschooling Fact Check: Materials and Resources
This week we continue our Homeschooling Fact Check
series in which we examine some of the most common questions we receive and some of the biggest myths about homeschooling in Massachusetts. If you have questions or topics you'd like to suggest for this series, you can email us at info@ahem.info.
Claim:
It is sufficient to give a very general list of materials in your education plan; your town isn't entitled to specific titles or the names of resources.
Reading the Law:
The Care and Protection of Charles says: Read more ▸