Lowell Homeschool Outreach Motion Withdrawn After Parents Speak Up

Local Homeschool News: Massachusetts

Homeschool parents in Lowell, Massachusetts, made their voices heard in June. School Committee member Fred Bahou withdrew a motion that would have had district staff call families who left to homeschool, check on their progress, and encourage them to re-enroll (InsideLowell).

A related draft homeschool policy was accepted only as a report of progress. That means the committee acknowledged it without voting to amend or adopt it. The draft included Family Resource Center registration, alignment with state curriculum frameworks, and limited windows for submitting homeschool plans.

Five homeschooling parents spoke against both items. Several pointed to Care and Protection of Charles, the 1987 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision that sets limits on district oversight of homeschooling. They argued the proposed changes went beyond what the law allows.

Parent Erin Pirrotta noted the district has 151 homeschooling families with about 250 children. She estimated the calls would take about 38 staff hours at a time when the central office was short-staffed.

Mayor Erik Gitschier, who chairs the committee, said parents make decisions in the best interest of their children, “and there are laws in place that support that right.” Bahou said intimidation was never his intent. Member Connie Martin asked that families be able to apply at any time of year.

For more on what Massachusetts requires, see our Massachusetts Homeschool Laws page.

Sources:

• Qinglong Diep, “Homeschool Outreach Initiative Pulled after Parent Pushback,” InsideLowell, June 20, 2026