Why Use an Umbrella School?

By Gary L. Cox

In a word, Liberty! The most common reason for losing liberties in our culture is failure to use them.

Maryland has benefited for many years with great laws that protect the liberty of parents to teach their children from their own religious persuasion without interference from the state. These laws provide parents the opportunity to band together under the church and form schools that are exempt from school board regulations that control course content and teaching practices. Since 1991, Maryland regulations have acknowledged the rights of parents to have their children enrolled and monitored by church schools that are willing to supervise students receiving home instruction.

Church umbrella groups, as they are commonly called, provide alternative choices to having your child's home school academics reviewed by the local board of education. Once a church establishes a legitimate educational institution (see §2-206 Education, Maryland Annotated Code), that institution can offer supervision to families who are home schooling. While there are responsibilities to monitor student attendance, the educational philosophy and content of courses are the sole discretion of the church school. This means that parents can interview schools and choose one that agrees with their own religious/educational philosophy. Once enrolled, if the school properly supervises students and maintains proper registration files with the local superintendent (see COMAR §10.10.1-5), the umbrella school’s annual notice of good standing is the final word on a student’s compliance with the attendance law (§7-301 Education, Maryland Annotated Code).

Maryland is one of the best states for home school liberty. Use it or lose it!