By Jessica Leavitt

It has happened to most of us. The end of the school year comes sneaking up behind us.  We turn around to meet it head on and we see our three-inch binder (aka a pre-assembled portfolio from HOME) staring us in the face. Empty. Maybe you have a few worksheets saved, or maybe you just forgot to write down every book, hike, and educational game played this past year. Maybe you aren’t sure what “counts” as evidence of learning. If only you had an assistant …

By Sarah Buchwalder

In this 132nd session of the Maine state legislature, Homeschoolers of Maine currently

has a short list of 11 bills we’re watching closely and a much longer list of bills that, as yet, do not have document numbers or text but do have titles that potentially concern us. To give you a sense of the scale of our undertaking, over 2,300 bills have been proposed in this session alone in the state legislature.

As an organization, we keep track of proposed laws within the state that either directly affect homeschoolers OR that affect parental rights, which is really at the core of the right to direct our children’s education. This involves much more than simply reading the legislative documents; we listen to or attend public hearings, follow up during the work sessions, make many phone calls and send many emails to state representatives and senators (and bite our tongues when a particularly cranky or combative one is on the other end of the line), enlist the help of our national partners such as HSLDA or The Parental Rights Foundation as needed, and, most importantly, ask our fellow homeschoolers and constituents to write or call representatives and submit testimony when action is clearly warranted. In 2023, one state senator remarked in a public hearing that he had received calls from hundreds of homeschoolers and thus amended the bill in question as asked. We can’t do this without you!

As homeschooling parents who deeply value the freedom to educate our children at home, it’s crucial to recognize and participate in opportunities that safeguard these liberties. Homeschool Day at the Capitol is not just an event; it’s a celebration of our homeschool freedom and a powerful statement of our commitment to our children’s education. Here are the top ten reasons why attending your state’s Capitol Day is of paramount importance. 

Read the entire article at the Homeschool Freedom website.

Find out more about Maine's Homeschool Day at the Capitol here.

Dig deeper into the legislative process here in Maine by purchasing a Junior Legislator or American Civics unit study published by Homeschoolers of Maine.

By Kathy Green

Homeschool convention season is right around the corner! These annual events are highly anticipated by homeschooling families nationwide. Homeschoolers of Maine (HOME) has been hosting successful events every year for 35 years! 

Note: Sometimes young learners are just not ready to write. This can be especially true for boys. If you are meeting with lots of conflict and resistance, it may be best to wait  

If your child seems physically and developmentally ready, and is showing interest, consider the tips below!