Homeschooling in Minnesota

What you must file

1. October 1You file

   Initial Registration Form for Unaccredited Nonpublic Schools

   By October 1 of the first school year the child receives instruction after reaching age seven; within 15 days of withdrawing a child from public school after age seven; within 15 days of moving out of a district; and by October 1 after a new resident district is established.

   How often: one-time (first year), and again after a move to a new district

   Goes to: Resident district superintendent

   Includes the child's name, birth date and address, the annual tests intended to be used, the name of each instructor, and evidence of the instructor's qualification under section 120A.22, subdivision 10. The state's form also asks you to attach immunization records or a notarized statement of conscientious objection for each student, citing Minnesota Statutes section 121A.15, subdivision 8. You may use the state's form or a written or electronic format of your choice, and the district may not require you to file electronically. Send it to your district, not to the Minnesota Department of Education.

2. October 1You file

   Letter of Intent to Continue to Provide Instruction

   By 1 October each subsequent year

   Goes to: Resident district superintendent

   Covers every student you instruct and reports any changes to the information given in the initial registration: the child's name, birth date or address, the tests you intend to use, the name of each instructor, and the evidence of the instructor's qualification. The state's form also asks you to list any student you no longer instruct and, when a student reaches 7th grade or age 12, to attach updated immunization records or a notarized statement of conscientious objection. If you have moved to a new district, file a new initial registration there.

3. No fixed dateYou keep

   Annual standardized test

   n/a

   Goes to: Kept by the parent. Proof that the test was given must be made available to the county attorney when a case is commenced under section 120A.26, subdivision 5, under chapter 260C, or when diverted under chapter 260A.

   Each year, every child ages seven through 16, and every child ages 16 through 17 whose initial report was filed after the child turned 16, who is not enrolled in a public school must be assessed with a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test. The superintendent and the person in charge of the child's instruction must agree on the specific test and on how and where it is given. The tests you intend to use go on the initial registration, and any change goes on the letter of intent. A child taught by a school, person or institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized under section 123B.445, or recognized by the commissioner, is exempt.

4. No fixed dateYou keep

   Records of subjects taught and proof of testing

   Kept throughout each school year you provide instruction

   Goes to: Kept by the parent. Must be made available to the county attorney when a case is commenced under section 120A.26, subdivision 5, under chapter 260C, or when diverted under chapter 260A.

   You must keep documentation showing that the subjects required by section 120A.22, subdivision 9, are being taught, and proof that the annual tests were given. It must include class schedules, copies of materials used for instruction, and descriptions of methods used to assess student achievement. A school, person or institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized under section 123B.445, or recognized by the commissioner, is exempt.

5. No fixed dateYou keep

   Your own assessment in subjects the test does not cover

   Each year, for any required subject the standardized test does not cover

   Goes to: Kept by the parent

   To the extent the standardized test does not assess all of the required subjects, the parent must assess the child's performance in those subjects. This applies only to a parent who provides instruction and does not hold a Minnesota teaching license in the field and for the grade level taught, and is not directly supervised by a person holding a Minnesota teaching license.

6. No fixed dateYou keep

   Further evaluation after a low test score

   When the total battery score is at or below the 30th percentile, or one grade level below the level for children of the same age

   How often: when triggered

   Goes to: Kept by the parent

   If the results of the standardized test and of the parent's own assessment show a total battery score at or below the 30th percentile, or one grade level below the performance level for children of the same age, the parent must obtain an additional evaluation of the child's abilities and performance to determine whether the child has learning problems.

7. No fixed dateYou file

   Test scores for a public school, on full-time enrollment

   When the child enrolls full time in a public school

   How often: when triggered

   Goes to: The enrolling public school or school district

   The parent must give the enrolling school or district the child's scores on any annual tests given under section 120A.22, subdivision 11, and other education-related documents the school or district requires to decide where the child is placed and what course requirements apply. This does not apply to a shared time student who does not seek a public school diploma.

8. No fixed dateYou file

   Notice to withdraw a child under seven from public school

   When you withdraw a child under seven who is enrolled in kindergarten or a higher grade in a public school, in a district whose board has not exempted children under seven

   How often: when triggered

   Goes to: The school district where the child is enrolled

   Once a child under seven is enrolled in kindergarten or a higher grade in a public school, the child is subject to compulsory attendance unless the district's board has a policy exempting children under seven. The parent may withdraw the child for good cause by notifying the district. Good cause includes enrolling the child in another school, and the law's definition of a school includes a home school that complies with the law. A child withdrawn this way is no longer subject to compulsory attendance.