Homeschooling in South Dakota? Here’s your plan.

South Dakota uses the term "alternative instruction" rather than "homeschool" in its statutes. You file a notification with the South Dakota Department of Education or your local school district within 30 days of first beginning alternative instruction (SDCL 13-27-7). The notification must be on the standard form the Department provides, and it asks only for your child's name, birthdate, resident district, open enrolled district if applicable, your signature, and return information. The Department's online system notifies the district and the Department at the same time, and you receive a copy as proof. No school board action is needed.

The notification is one-time. You file an updated notification within 30 days only if your child enrolls in a public or nonpublic school or moves to a different school district. The Department also asks families to update the notification before taking part in the state's dual credit program.

The required instruction is in the basic skills of language arts and mathematics, given so as to lead to mastery of the English language (SDCL 13-27-3). The instructor does not need to be certified, and no person may instruct more than 22 children. The statute sets no number of days or hours. The Department of Education says alternative instruction students are no longer required to take and submit standardized achievement tests.

Compulsory attendance runs until age 18, graduation, or a statutory excuse (SDCL 13-27-1).

South Dakota's alternative instruction requirements in SDCL 13-27-3 and 13-27-7 apply to every family providing alternative instruction. Separately, SDCL 13-27-1.1 excuses a child who has completed eighth grade from compulsory attendance if the family belongs to a recognized church or religious denomination that objects to regular public high school education and provides a supervised program of instruction.

Use the right terminology. South Dakota law calls it "alternative instruction." Using the statutory term with school officials helps avoid confusion.

Use the standard form. The notification must be on the Department of Education's standard form, online or on paper. A plain letter does not meet the requirement.

School activities. Under SDCL 13-36-7, each public school district must allow a child receiving alternative instruction to participate in athletics, fine arts, or activities in the district where the child lives, under the same training and eligibility rules as enrolled students. You provide proof of age and a parent-issued transcript of the previous semester's coursework before the season. A student who leaves a school during the year for alternative instruction is ineligible for the rest of the current season of the activity they are in at that time.

Part-time enrollment. Under SDCL 13-28-51, your resident district must admit your child to a public school on a partial basis on your request, while your child continues alternative instruction.

Instructor limit. Under SDCL 13-27-3, no person may instruct more than 22 children. Keep this in mind when organizing group classes.

Keep records anyway. The Department of Education recommends keeping a detailed academic record, including attendance and grades, and notes that parent-issued transcripts are needed for activities, later public school enrollment, dual credit, college, and scholarships.

Special needs. You can refer your child to the district for a Child Find evaluation. The Department explains that to receive special education services, a student must enroll in the district at least part time.