Maine law allows parents to arrange with local school boards to have their children educated outside a public or private school, if the student will receive "equivalent instruction." If the proposed program of instruction is "equivalent" within the meaning of the law, it must be approved by local school officials. Parents are entitled to a fair and timely decision on any application for equivalent instruction, and may appeal negative decisions. This document provides guidelines to aid local school officials in the adoption and implementation of equivalent instruction rules and policies. Part 1, "Rules for Equivalent Instruction Programs," contains the following: a flowchart depicting the approval process; timelines for three possible sequences in the process; procedures and standards for equivalent instruction programs; the commissioner's procedure for determinations on appeal of local school denials; and a basis statement. Part 2 (untitled) contains the following: guidelines for implementation of equivalent instruction programs by school boards; procedures and standards for equivalent instruction programs; model rules; a model application form; and a notice of school unit action. (IW)