Any Minnesota homeschoolers... or can someone translate the laws for me??

**~Sherry~** · 10-08-2005, 09:38 PM

Hi! Do we have any MN homeschoolers here? Or anyone familiar with the terminology used for the laws?

Tyler will be 5 in January, so I am starting to think about his schooling. I have always planned to homeschool him... but I am having trouble understanding the laws. lol Can someone translate them into english for me please?

Minnesota's Homeschool Laws

Detailed Analysis

So anyways... it looks to me like I need to have some sort of teaching license or pass a test or something to be able to teach him at home. But a friend of Dave's (who's wife homeschools their kids) says you don't have to do anything. But he said you have to join some "group"??

**QuilterMom** · 10-08-2005, 10:12 PM

Looking from link to link it certainly is a bit confusing!

On the second link under 2d. it gives me the impression they might be referring to an 'umbrella' school. One I know of that will accept students from any state is Allendale Academy in Clearwater, FL - www.allendale.com - BUT you could only use it if it is one that the state board of MN recognizes (per 2d.)

If you hold a bacelor's degree, then you're good to go (per 2e.).

I don't see anything about you needing to join a group, but he may be referring to option 2d. (possibly an umbrella school as the 'group).

Have you checked yahoogroups for state homeschool e-groups or one for your specific county. Current homeschoolers in your state would provide a wealth of info for you and be able to clear up all your questions. I looked quickly and found the following for the state...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mnhomeschool/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Minnesotahomeschool/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MNHS/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChristianMNHSchooler/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ECHO-MN/

**QuilterMom** · 10-08-2005, 10:13 PM

Ugh! I did the link for Allendale wrong. It should be www.allendaleacademy.com

**~Sherry~** · 10-09-2005, 12:01 AM

Thanks, QuilterMom.

I have been checking out some of those links and from what I can see.... if you do not fit those 6 situations listed (teacher, bachalorette, umbrella school, etc...) then you just need to submit quarterly report cards to the district.

Sounds like you don't have to report anything until the child is 7 years old. Then you just need to report at the beginning of the year that you will be homeschooling... the quarterly report cards... and a test at the end of the year. This can be done at home and costs like $20 or so, depending on the one you choose.

Doesn't sound so bad.

They all seem to recommend that you join MHA or MCHA, which is like $25 a year.
I'll be doing some more research...

If we do have any MN homeschoolers here I would love to hear from you!!

**Missy** · 10-09-2005, 12:47 AM

http://www.k12.com/options/dlp_participating.html this is the program we use. of course ours is COVA (Colorado Virtual Academy), yours would be Minnesota Virtual Academy or something like that. It is an excellent program, no tutiion, the send all the supplies no charge, you return them at their cost at the end of the year, it gives you everything you need. It might not work for everyone, but it is working great for us, and it IS an option in your state. It's homeschool you don't have to submit or pay for any testing, it's fantasti, they do quarterly tests and you input daily work online. Heck, here they offered to pay for our dsl cost! Dunno if it is the same everywhere, but man it's great for us. Plus he gets to be involved with all kinds of activities, there's a hiking club, band, group outings and field trips, and i could go on and on. If nothing else it would be worth lookng into. And you don't have to have any kind of degree to do it, LOL.

**Missy** · 10-09-2005, 12:48 AM

Geeze Missy, how about a home page?? http://www.k12.com/

**~Sherry~** · 10-09-2005, 01:01 AM

Wow! That sounds awesome, Missy! I am headed to check it out. Thank you.

**Missy** · 10-10-2005, 01:11 AM

No problem

Dunno how the program works there but it costs us nothing! Can't hurt to check it out!

**canadian gardener** · 10-14-2005, 05:25 PM

If you are still wondering, go to HSLDA's home page, they are pretty good at helping people figure out what the rules and regs are. And what is perhaps more helpful, they usually have a link to the State Homeschool association which explains things in non legal speak.

hslda.org in the States and
hslda.ca in Canada