HOMESCHOOLING IN MINNESOTA & HOMESCHOOL LAWS
You may be considering homeschooling in Minnesota, but don’t know where to start regarding Minnesota homeschooling law. This guide will walk you through what you need to know to successfully set up your own Minnesota homeschool. We’ll cover the history of Minnesota homeschooling, current Minnesota homeschooling law, required notifications and filings, curriculum and testing choices, high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, graduation requirements, and special education services.
History of Homeschooling in Minnesota
Minnesota homeschooling law has a rich history, dating back to the 1970s. Minnesota was an early adopter of the law, recognizing it as a legitimate educational option. In 1987, Minnesota passed its first homeschooling law, which outlined basic requirements for Minnesota homeschool families. This law was revised and expanded in 2005, providing a clear legal framework for Minnesota homeschool students.
Today, Minnesota is considered one of the most homeschool-friendly states in the nation with a relaxed Minnesota homeschooling law. It has a thriving homeschooling community, with an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 homeschooled as of the 2020-2021 school year. The Minnesota Homeschoolers’ Alliance, established in 1991, is a leading advocacy and support organization for Minnesota homeschool child(ren).
Current Minnesota Homeschool Laws and Regulations
In Minnesota, the compulsory law requires children to receive instruction from ages 7 to 17. Minnesota parents have the option to fulfill this requirement through public or private schooling, or by homeschooling their child complying with Minnesota homeschooling law.
Minnesota truancy law applies to a child who is enrolled in a public or private school but fails to attend regularly without a valid excuse. Minnesota homeschooled children are not subject to the truancy law, as long as their parents are providing the required instruction at home under Minnesota homeschool laws.
How to Set Up a Homeschool In Minnesota
To set up a homeschool in Minnesota, parents must follow these steps to begin homeschooling in accordance with Minnesota homeschooling law:
Notify the superintendent of the school district of your intent to homeschool in Minnesota. This can be done by sending a letter or filling out the Compulsory Instruction Report form, available on the Minnesota Department of Ed website which complies with the Minnesota homeschooling law.
Under Minnesota homeschooling law, this notification must include:
The child’s name, birth date, and address.
The name of each instructor and evidence that each instructor meets the requirements of Minnesota homeschool laws.
The annual examinations the Minnesota home school intends to use, the administration and location of the examination, if required, in accordance with Minnesota homeschooling laws; and, statements as required by Minnesota homeschooling laws, regarding childhood immunization records.
Maintain copies of instructional materials and records of the instruction provided to the child, including a quarterly report card for each child. These report cards should include the required subjects taught, class schedules (the number of hours of instruction provided), and a narrative evaluation of the child’s progress in accordance with Minnesota homeschooling law.
According to Minnesota law, a parent is “qualified” to teach their own children. In Minnesota, if someone other than a parent is the primary teacher, they must have one of the following qualifications to teach in accordance with Minnesota homeschooling law: (1) Hold a valid Minnesota teaching license in the field and grade taught, (2) Be directly supervised by a licensed teacher, (3) Provide instruction in a school that is accredited by a state-recognized accrediting agency, or (4) Hold a baccalaureate degree.
Under Minnesota homeschool laws, a homeschool student is welcome to participate in their school district’s extracurricular activities on the same basis as public school students.
Maintaining Your Minnesota Homeschool
Minnesota homeschooling law requires you to administer a nationally normed achievement test to your children at some point during the school year (or by August 31st).
It is recommended that parents keep accurate records of their children’s progress and the instruction provided. This includes the following under Minnesota homeschooling law:
Maintaining a portfolio of the student’s work, including writing samples, completed assignments, test results, and descriptions of the methods you use to assess your child’s achievements.
Tracking the curriculum used, including textbooks, online resources, and other materials.
Recording the number of hours of instruction provided per subject per quarter.
Documenting any field trip opportunities, extracurricular activities, or special projects that contribute to the child’s education.
Keeping thorough records will not only help Minnesota homeschool parents track their child’s progress but will also make it easier to complete the required annual reporting in accordance with Minnesota homeschooling law.
Minnesota Homeschool Reporting Requirements
Minnesota homeschool laws require homeschooling parents to submit an annual report to the superintendent of their local school district. This report should include the following to satisfy Minnesota homeschool requirements:
The names, ages, and grade levels of each child being homeschooled.
A quarterly report card for each child, indicating the subjects taught, the number of hours of instruction provided per subject, and a narrative evaluation of the child’s progress.
The quarterly report cards should include information on the curriculum used, any assessments or testing, and specific feedback on the child’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Set up a system for tracking your homeschool Minnesota activities and instruction from the beginning of the school year. Record the hours of instruction, subjects covered, and any assessments or evaluations on a regular basis. This will make it much easier to compile the required quarterly and annual reports in accordance with Minnesota homeschooling law.
Homeschool Testing In Minnesota
In accordance with Minnesota homeschooling law, the academic performance of all children between the ages of 7 and 16 or who began homeschooling after their 16th birthday and have not yet turned 17., and are not enrolled as public school students, must be evaluated annually using a nationally standardized, norm-referenced achievement test under Minnesota homeschooling law.
The superintendent of the school district and the individual responsible for the child’s instruction must mutually agree on the specific assessment tool to be used, as well as the administration and location of the examination in Minnesota in accordance with Minnesota homeschooling law.
The results of the homeschool test do not need to be submitted to the school district under Minnesota homeschooling law. Keep them for your files. If your child scores in the bottom 30th percentile or one grade level below the performance level for a child of the same age, you are required to obtain additional evaluation of the child’s abilities for the purpose of determining whether the child has learning problems in accordance with Minnesota homeschooling law.
Funding Your Minnesota Homeschool
Minnesota does not provide financial assistance to households under Minnesota homeschooling law. However, there are several resources that can help Minnesota homeschool families access educational materials and reduce costs:
Homeschoolers in Minnesota can take advantage of the extensive resources available at their local public libraries, including books, audio-visual materials, and online databases.
Many Minnesota homeschool groups organize homeschool curriculum fairs, where you can buy, sell, or trade used Minnesota homeschool materials and textbooks at discounted prices.
There are numerous free or low-cost online educational resources, including digital textbooks, video lessons, educational apps, and virtual field trips.
Some companies and organizations offer discounts or special pricing for Minnesota homeschooling families on educational materials, software, and services.
By joining a Minnesota homeschool co-op, families can share the costs of materials, supplies, and resources, as well as the responsibilities of teaching certain subjects.
Be creative and resourceful in finding affordable options for curriculum and materials. Attend Minnesota homeschool conferences and events to learn about new resources and discounts. Connect with other Minnesota homeschooling families to share ideas for cost-saving strategies.
Federal Tax Breaks
Homeschooling families may be eligible for certain federal tax benefits to help offset educational expenses. One option is a Coverdell Education Savings Account, which allows money to grow tax-free when used for qualified costs. Minnesota homeschool parents might also be able to deduct a portion of mortgage interest or rent if part of the home is used regularly and exclusively for Minnesota homeschooling. Finally, tax credits could be available for required books, supplies, equipment and curricula used for homeschool instruction. To learn more about these potential tax advantages, homeschooling families should review the information and resources provided by the IRS.
Minnesota Immunization Requirements
Minnesota has immunization requirements for children attending public or private schools and child care facilities, but these requirements do not apply to homeschooled children. Homeschooling parents are not required to provide any documentation of their children’s immunization status under Minnesota homeschooling law.
However, it is still recommended that homeschooled children receive all recommended vaccinations to protect their health and the community. Parents should consult their healthcare provider to ensure their children are up-to-date on immunizations before you start homeschooling.
Minnesota State Graduation Requirements
State standards set for public schools do not apply to homeschools under Minnesota homeschooling law. Minnesota does not have specific graduation requirements for homeschooled students. Minnesota homeschooling parents are responsible for determining when their children have completed the necessary coursework and are prepared to receive a high school diploma.
Parents should ensure that their child’s instruction covers the required subjects outlined in the Minnesota homeschool laws, including language arts (reading, writing, literature), fine arts, math, science, history, geography, economics, social studies, government, health, and physical education. It is also advisable to consult with colleges or universities to understand their admission requirements for high school students and ensure that the child’s learning meets or exceeds those standards.
To document their child’s completion of high school, parents can issue their own homeschool diploma or transcript under Minnesota homeschooling law. Some choose to have their child take the General Educational Development (GED) test or enroll in a local community college for their senior year to earn a recognized high school diploma or equivalency in accordance with Minnesota homeschooling law.
Minnesota Homeschool Charters
The state does not have any Minnesota homeschool charters under Minnesota homeschooling law. However, the state does offer online learning opportunities through the districts and online education providers.
Many school districts in Minnesota have established online learning programs on a part-time or full-time basis. These programs offer access to online courses, homeschool curriculum, and instruction from certified teachers.
Additionally, there are several fully online programs that are open to a Minnesota student. These include:
Minnesota Virtual Academy: A tuition-free online public school for grades K-12, offering a full curriculum and instruction from licensed teachers.
Minnesota Connections Academy: A tuition-free online public school serving students in grades K-12.
K12 Minnesota: A variety of online learning options, including a tuition-free public school, individual courses, and private school options.
Homeschooled students can enroll in these online programs to supplement their Minnesota homeschool education or to receive a full high school diploma.
Local Minnesota Homeschooling Resources
Minnesota has an active and supportive homeschooling community, with numerous resources available:
Minnesota Homeschoolers’ Alliance (MHA): This Minnesota homeschool support group provides advocacy, support, and resources for home schoolers such as information about Minnesota homeschooling law. This homeschool group offers an annual conference, regional events, and various discounts and benefits for members.
Minnesota homeschool support groups: Many cities and counties have active Minnesota homeschool groups that organize activities, provide information about Minnesota homeschooling law and field trip opportunities, as well as co-ops. These groups can be found through online directories, social media, or by contacting the MHA.
Co-ops and shared resources: Some homeschool groups organize co-ops, share teaching responsibilities or access shared resources like science labs, art studios, or music instruction. These co-ops provide opportunities for a student to learn in a group setting, such as physical education, social studies, geography, and math classes.
Online learning opportunities: As mentioned earlier, many public school districts and online providers offer part-time or full-time online learning options that nonpublic schools can access.
Minnesota homeschool conferences and curriculum fairs: These events provide opportunities for new homeschoolers to connect, learn about new resources and information such as the law, and purchase curriculum and materials at discounted prices.
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) resources: The MDE provides information and guidance for Minnesota homeschoolers on their website, including forms, Minnesota homeschooling law, and FAQs.
Connect with Minnesota homeschool groups and attend events to network with experienced homeschoolers and learn about the resources available in your area including information about Minnesota homeschooling law. Subscribe to Minnesota homeschool newsletters and join online communities to stay informed about opportunities, events, and Minnesota homeschooling law. Explore online learning programs and consider enrolling your child in individual courses or full-time virtual schooling to supplement their Minnesota homeschool learning.
By taking advantage of the various resources and support available, a Minnesota homeschooling family can create a rich and diverse learning environment for their children while complying with Minnesota homeschooling law.
