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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3479 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 518
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Nicholas A. Boldyga
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to facilitate homeschooling and encourage educational innovation.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Nicholas A. Boldyga3rd Hampden1/17/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3479 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 518
By Representative Boldyga of Southwick, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 518) of
Nicholas A. Boldyga relative to homeschooling and alternative education models. Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to facilitate homeschooling and encourage educational innovation.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary,
2 (a) Any parent or legal guardian wishing to educate their child at home shall only be
3required to submit a one-time letter of intent to the Department of Elementary and Secondary
4Education (DESE) indicating their decision to homeschool. No further annual notifications are
5required unless the family moves to a different district.
6 (b) The letter of intent shall include the name, age, and grade level of each child being
7homeschooled, the address where the homeschooling will take place, and a statement of intent to
8provide an education in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth.
9 Section 2. Curriculum and Assessment
10 (a) Homeschooling families shall have the autonomy to choose the curriculum, teaching
11methods, and educational materials without state oversight, except where such education must
12include basic subjects like reading, writing, history, civics, math, and science. 2 of 3
13 (b) No state-mandated assessments or standardized testing shall be required for
14homeschooled students unless the parent opts into such assessments voluntarily.
15 Section 3. Educational Innovation and Alternative Models
16 (a) Establishment. Any individual or group may establish an alternative education model
17by registering with the DESE as an "Educational Innovation Entity" (EIE). This registration shall
18not require any specific credentials or state approval beyond the submission of a basic
19educational plan.
20 (b) Plan Contents. The educational plan shall outline the educational philosophy or
21model, the primary subjects or skills to be taught, and methods of evaluation or demonstration of
22student progress, which may include portfolios, exhibitions, or other non-traditional assessments.
23 (c) Funding and Support. The state shall create an "Innovation in Education Fund" to
24which EIEs can apply for grants to support curriculum development, facility costs, or other
25educational expenses. This fund will be supported by reallocating a portion of the education
26budget based on the number of students in alternative models and seeking private donations or
27federal grants aimed at educational innovation.
28 (d) Regulatory Relief. EIEs are exempt from traditional public school regulations
29concerning teacher certification, curriculum standards, and mandatory standardized testing, and
30from local zoning laws specifically related to educational use, provided safety and health codes
31are met. 3 of 3
32 (e) Student Enrollment. Students enrolled in an EIE shall be considered as fulfilling
33compulsory education requirements. They may also participate in public school extracurricular
34activities if agreed upon by local school districts.
35 Section 4. Oversight and Accountability
36 (a) While specific state oversight is minimized, EIEs must maintain records of student
37progress and be prepared to provide them if a complaint is lodged against the entity concerning
38educational quality or child welfare.
39 (b) The DESE shall conduct periodic, non-intrusive reviews of EIEs to ensure broad
40compliance with the educational objectives set forth in their plans, focusing on student outcomes
41rather than process.