Homeschool Requirements MN & WI

Here is a helpful reminder regarding homeschooling requirements for families in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Because SCOPE serves families from both states, we want to make sure everyone has access to the information and resources needed to fulfill the homeschool requirements for their home state. If you are interested, go ahead and review the information below, and make sure your family has completed any required state reporting.

Minnesota Homeschool Families

Minnesota considers homeschooling a type of nonpublic education. Families are responsible for meeting Minnesota's compulsory instruction requirements and reporting requirements. Minnesota's compulsory attendance requirements generally apply to children ages 7–16; however, Minnesota's homeschool reporting and testing provisions reference students through age 17 in certain circumstances.

What Minnesota homeschool families need to know:

Annual Reporting

• Families homeschooling a child who is subject to compulsory instruction must notify the superintendent of the school district in which the child resides.
• The report is generally due by October 1 each year.
• When beginning homeschooling for the first time, families generally submit an Initial Registration/Report.
• In subsequent years, families generally submit a Letter of Intent to Continue to Provide Instruction.
• If withdrawing a child from public school to homeschool during the school year, the initial report must generally be submitted within 15 days of withdrawal.

Required Subjects

Minnesota requires homeschool instruction to include at least the following areas:

• Reading and writing
• Literature
• Fine arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social studies, including history, geography, economics, government, and citizenship
• Health
• Physical education

Minnesota does not require homeschool families to follow the same curriculum or academic standards used by Minnesota public schools.

Annual Assessment/Testing

For homeschools that are not accredited by a Minnesota-recognized accrediting agency, Minnesota requires an annual nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement test for students within the applicable age range. The parent and resident superintendent must agree on the test, administration, and location. If the standardized test does not cover all required subject areas, additional assessment may be necessary.

Minnesota currently recognizes the Home-Based Educators Accrediting Association as a state-recognized accrediting agency. Accreditation is not required to homeschool, but accredited homeschools are exempt from the annual nationally normed achievement-testing requirement.

Instructor Qualifications

Minnesota does not require a parent to hold a teaching license in order to homeschool their own children. However, Minnesota law does have instructor qualification requirements, particularly when someone other than a parent/legal guardian is providing the instruction. Families should review the current MDE requirements if another adult is serving as the primary instructor. We have listed any bachelor's degree if the SCOPE teacher has acquired one, for your reference on our website.

Immunization Records

Minnesota homeschool families are required to provide immunization information to their resident school district as part of the reporting requirements. MÂCHÉ notes that immunization records are generally required when a child first begins homeschooling and again around age 12/seventh grade, with exemptions available under Minnesota law.

Helpful Minnesota Resources

• Minnesota Department of Education – Home School Education
• Minnesota Department of Education – Nonpublic & Homeschool Information
• Minnesota Department of Education – Homeschool Questions & Answers
• MÂCHÉ – Minnesota Homeschool Law
• MÂCHÉ – Letter of Intent to Continue Homeschooling

Please remember that the Letter of Intent is submitted to the superintendent of the school district where you reside, not to SCOPE.

Wisconsin Homeschool Families

Wisconsin refers to homeschooling as a Home-Based Private Educational Program.

What Wisconsin homeschool families need to know:

Annual Reporting

• Families must complete the PI-1206 Homeschool Enrollment Report with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction each year. Ages 6-18 years.
• The report is completed online.
• The report is generally due on or before October 15.

Required Instruction

Wisconsin homeschool programs must provide at least 875 hours of instruction each school year.

Instruction must include a sequentially progressive curriculum in:

• Reading
• Language arts
• Mathematics
• Social studies
• Science
• Health

Testing

Wisconsin does not require homeschool students to take annual standardized tests.

Teacher Qualifications

Wisconsin does not require parents to hold a teaching license or specific teaching degree in order to operate a home-based private educational program.

Helpful Wisconsin Resources

• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction – Homeschool Information
• Wisconsin DPI – PI-1206 Homeschool Enrollment Report
• Wisconsin DPI – Homeschool FAQ

A Quick Reminder for All SCOPE Families

Please remember that SCOPE is a homeschool cooperative, not a school of record for your homeschool. Each family is responsible for understanding and fulfilling the homeschool requirements of the state in which they reside.

Our goal in sharing this information is simply to help our families feel informed, prepared, and supported as we begin another school year together.

If you have questions about your individual homeschool situation or whether you have fulfilled your state's requirements, please contact your state's Department of Education or a trusted homeschool organization such as MÂCHÉ for Minnesota families.