Homeschooling in Minnesota? We’ll walk you through it.

Homeschooling in Minnesota is governed by Minn. Stat. 120A.22 and Minn. Stat. 120A.24. You report to the superintendent of your resident school district by October 1 of the first school year your child receives instruction after reaching age 7, or within 15 days of withdrawing a child age 7 or older from public school. The report lists your child's name, birth date, and address; the annual tests you intend to use; the name of each instructor; and evidence that each instructor meets one of the state's instructor requirements. Each year after that, by October 1, you send a letter of intent to continue, with any changes.

Instruction covers basic communication skills including reading and writing, literature, and fine arts; mathematics and science; social studies including history, geography, economics, government, and citizenship; and health and physical education. Instruction, textbooks, and materials must be in English.

Each year, your child takes a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test that you and your superintendent agree on. You keep proof of testing rather than submitting scores. If the total battery score is at or below the 30th percentile, or one grade level below, you arrange an additional evaluation to see whether your child has learning problems. Minnesota sets no minimum hours or days.

Minnesota also offers an education tax credit (Minn. Stat. 290.0674) and a K-12 education subtraction (Minn. Stat. 290.0132, Subd. 4) that can apply to qualifying homeschool expenses.

Minnesota has two pathways, and the difference comes down to who is teaching. Under the Qualified Instructor Pathway (Minn. Stat. 120A.22, Subd. 10), the instructor holds a valid Minnesota teaching license, is directly supervised by a licensed teacher, teaches in an accredited or recognized school, or holds a bachelor's degree. Under the Non-Qualified Instructor with Testing Alternative (Minn. Stat. 120A.22, Subd. 11), any parent may teach as long as the child is assessed under the state's testing rules. Both pathways use the same report, subjects, and annual standardized test. A parent who is not a licensed teacher or supervised by one also assesses any required subjects the test does not cover. Children taught by an accredited nonpublic school are exempt from the testing rules.

PSEO (free college courses). Minnesota's Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program (Minn. Stat. 124D.09) lets homeschool students in grades 10-12 take college courses at eligible institutions at no cost. Tenth graders are limited to one career and technical education course.

Sports and extracurriculars. Under Minn. Stat. 123B.49, Subd. 4, homeschool students may participate in extracurricular activities at their resident public school district on the same basis as public school students.

Education tax benefits. Look into the Minnesota Education Tax Credit (income limits apply) and the K-12 education subtraction for qualifying expenses such as curriculum, textbooks, tutoring, and testing fees.

Shared-time special education. Under Minn. Stat. 125A.18, districts must allow homeschooled students to receive shared-time special education services. Contact your resident district to arrange them.

Keep your documentation. Keep class schedules, copies of instructional materials, descriptions of how you assess your child, and proof that testing took place. These must be made available to the county attorney only if a truancy or child-protection case is started.

Co-op instructor rules. Anyone providing instruction must meet one of the Subd. 10 requirements. A non-parent instructor needs a Minnesota teaching license, supervision by a licensed teacher, instruction in an accredited or recognized school, or a bachelor's degree.