Legal/Homeschool Laws
Laws that regulate home education vary from state to state. It is important to understand the legal requirements in your state and to be aware of legislative and other legal issues that affect homeschoolers in your community. We've compiled resources that will help you become informed. Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and the vast majority of homeschoolers face no problems, you may find that you need legal assistance at some point in your homeschooling career. We've compiled a list of resources to help you find the support you need. And if you'd like to become more involved in working towards homeschooling freedoms, we discuss some of the issues facing homeschoolers that we hope you find compelling.
State Laws
Read the laws regulating home education in Minnesota and browse through the case law and legal opinions relating to those laws, along with government publications relating to homeschooling and summaries of the laws.
Forms
Which forms do you need to fill out? Where can you get them? Here is a list of useful forms for homeschooling in Minnesota.
Legal Support
If you need legal information or have run into a legal situation regarding your decision to homeschool, these resources will be helpful.
Lobbying Groups
A listing of local and national lobbying groups and information on how you can become involved in the political process to ensure the freedom to homeschool is protected.
Attorneys
When searching for an attorney, it is helpful to know whether he or she has experience working with homeschoolers and is interested in protecting the right to homeschool.
Legal Issues
Is homeschooling legal? Which laws pertain to homeschoolers and which don't? How do homeschoolers protect their rights to freely educate their children and to preserve their privacy?
Government Resources
A listing of local and state government resources, including your state's Department of Education, school districts, and Senate and House of Representative information.
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Minnesota Education Tax Credit & Deduction
Minnesota has two programs—the education tax credit and the education tax deduction (also called a subtraction)—to help families pay expenses related to their child’s kindergarten through 12th grade education. Both programs lower the taxes you must pay and may even provide a larger refund when you file your Minnesota Individual Income Tax Return.
Student Report for Aids to Nonpublic Students
This form must be completed at the nonpublic school level and filed with the public school district offices by October 1.
123B.41 Definitions.
Subdivision 1.Application. As used in sections 123B.40 to 123B.48, the terms defined in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to them.
Subd. 2.Textbook. (a) "Textbook" means any book or book substitute, including electronic books as well as other printed materials delivered electronically, which a pupil uses as a text or text substitute in a particular class or program in the school regularly attended and a copy of which is expected to be available for the individual use of each pupil i...
120A.24 Reporting.
Subdivision 1.Reports to superintendent. (a) The person or nonpublic school in charge of providing instruction to a child must submit to the superintendent of the district in which the child resides the name, birth date, and address of the child; the annual tests intended to be used under section 120A.22, subdivision 11, if required; the name of each instructor; and evidence of compliance with one of the requirements specified in section 120A.22, subdivision 10:
(1) by October 1 of the first sc...
Optional Forms for Homeschoolers
These district forms are optional and include: Student Report for Aids to Nonpublic Students, Graduation Standards Testing Request Form, Secondary Guidance/Counseling services REquest Form, Pupil Health Services Form, Shared Time Policy Form, Eligible Materials for Reimbursement, and Home School Reimbursement Report.
120A.22 Compulsory instruction.
Subd. 4.School defined. For the purpose of compulsory attendance, a "school" means a public school, as defined in section 120A.05, subdivisions 9, 11, 13, and 17, or a nonpublic school, church or religious organization, or home school in which a child is provided instruction in compliance with this section and section 120A.24.
Subd. 5.Ages and terms. (a) Every child between seven and 17 years of age must receive instruction unless the child has graduated. Every child under the age of seven who ...
121A.15 health standards; immunizations; school children
Subdivision 1.School and child care facility immunization requirements. Except as provided in subdivisions 3, 4, and 10, no person over two months old may be allowed to enroll or remain enrolled in any elementary or secondary school or child care facility in this state until the person has submitted to the administrator or other person having general control and supervision of the school or child care facility, one of the following statements:
(1) a statement from a physician or a public clinic...
School and Enrollment Choices
Did you know that there are more options for your child than traditional public school? In Minnesota, parents have a wide range of meaningful school options for their children. These resources give basic information to parents who wish to educate their children at home.
120A.26 Enforcement and prosecution.
g and mediation. If the specified alleged violations of the compulsory attendance requirements are not corrected within 15 days of receipt of the written notification, the superintendent must request fact-finding and mediation services from the commissioner.
Subd. 5.Notice to county attorney. If the alleged violations are not corrected through the fact-finding and mediation process under subdivision 4, the superintendent must notify the county attorney of the alleged violations. The superintend...
Minnesota Department of Education
This is the official website for the Minnesota Department of Education.
123B.42 Textbooks; Individual instruction or cooperative learning material; standard tests
Subdivision 1.Providing education materials and tests. The commissioner of education shall promulgate rules under the provisions of chapter 14 requiring that in each school year, based upon formal requests by or on behalf of nonpublic school pupils in a nonpublic school, the local districts or intermediary service areas must purchase or otherwise acquire textbooks, individualized instructional or cooperative learning materials, software or other educational technology, and standardized tests and...
102A.26 Enforcement and Prosecution
Subd. 3.Notice to parents. The superintendent must notify the parent, in writing, if a child is alleged to be receiving instruction in violation of sections 120A.22 and 120A.24. The written notification must include a list of the specific alleged violations.
Subd. 4.Fact-finding and mediation. If the specified alleged violations of the compulsory attendance requirements are not corrected within 15 days of receipt of the written notification, the superintendent must request fact-finding and medi...
Reporting Information for Homeschoolers in the State of Minnesota
Minnesota law requires homeschooling families to report certain information to their school district once a year. The specific statute that addresses reporting, Minn. Stat. 120A.24, subd. 1, is fairly easy to read and understand.
144.3351 Immunization data.
Providers as defined in section 144.291, subdivision 2, group purchasers as defined in section 62J.03, subdivision 6, elementary or secondary schools or child care facilities as defined in section 121A.15, subdivision 9, public or private postsecondary educational institutions as defined in section 135A.14, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), a board of health as defined in section 145A.02, subdivision 2, community action agencies as defined in section 256E.31, subdivision 1, and the commissioner of h...
Minnesota Home School Laws from HSLDA
The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a brief summary of the homeschooling laws in Minnesota. Includes a link to a legal analysis of laws relating to homeschooling in Minnesota.
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Featured Resources
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And What About College?: How Homeschooling Can Lead to Admissions to the Best Colleges & Universities
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The National Parks of America
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Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child
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Educational Travel on a Shoestring : Frugal Family Fun and Learning Away from Home
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