If you are considering homeschooling your child in Michigan, or are doing so already, it's vitally important to make sure you're following all of the requirements that the state imposes on parents who choose to school their children outside of the regular public or private school setting. It's a tremendous responsibility, because you take on almost every aspect of your child's education and growth, and you want to make sure you're meeting your obligations under Michigan law. Fortunately, the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team understands Michigan's legal requirements for homeschoolers, and we're here to help you make sure you follow them. Call us at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form to set up a consultation to discuss how we can help.
Who Can Homeschool in Michigan?
Michigan provides two options for homeschooling. A “parent or legal guardian” can teach their own child “at the child's home.” Or the child can be taught at a “state-approved nonpublic school,” which can be one organized by the child's parent and can exist in a homeschool setting.
The second option is somewhat more difficult to organize; instruction must be provided by certified teachers, except in cases where the school claims a religious exemption to this requirement. The “school” must also file a report with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) that provides the DOE with information about the school's location, who is providing the instruction, and whether they have a Michigan teaching certificate or are claiming a religious exemption, what subjects are being taught, and how many students are at each grade level.
Michigan has no registration or approval requirements for parents who take advantage of the first option and are teaching their children at home; parents may choose to register their home as a homeschool site with the MDE but aren't required to do so. The main requirement is that the parents must be the ones providing the instruction. Outside instructors (whether certified or not) or relatives (such as grandparents) are not eligible to teach in the homeschool setting.
What Subjects Must Homeschoolers Teach in Michigan?
Michigan requires homeschooled students to be taught reading, spelling, math, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and grammar (English language). (The civics requirement applies to students in grades 10-12.) While these subjects must be taught “in an organized education program,” parents are not required to have the MDE approve their curriculum or even submit the proposed curriculum to the MDE.
The course requirement applies to all children being educated at home, no matter their age. A Homeschooled high school student receives their diploma from their parents and not from their local school district or from the State of Michigan.
What Records Must Homeschoolers Keep in Michigan?
Michigan has no specific requirements that define what types of records homeschooling parents need to keep about their child's education. There is no requirement to record the classes taught, the grades the child earns, or even what the child's grade level is. That said, the MDE recommends keeping records of their child's progress throughout each academic year because these records can be used by school districts to determine where to place the student if the child is ever enrolled in a public or nonpublic school.
What Standardized Tests Are Homeschooled Students Required to Take in Michigan?
Michigan does not require homeschooled students to take any of the standardized tests administered in public and nonpublic schools. Homeschooled students are eligible to take these tests, however, and at no cost to the student or their family. The parent must contact their local public school to arrange for their homeschooled child to be included in any standardized testing.
Does Michigan Require the Use of Certain Textbooks for Homeschooled Children?
The MDE has no requirements when it comes to what textbooks parents use to homeschool their children. This also means that Michigan won't pay for the textbooks or other teaching materials that parents use for homeschooling.
Are Homeschooled Students Eligible for Special Education Benefits in Michigan?
Homeschooled students are entitled to receive special education benefits in Michigan to the same extent nonpublic school students are. These benefits will be more limited than if the child were enrolled in a public school. For example, there will be no Individualized Education Program created by the local public school or school district for a homeschooled child with special needs. There are, however, some benefits that homeschooled special needs students may be entitled to in Michigan. Parents who want to explore these benefits for their child must complete the Nonpublic School Membership Report. Benefits a homeschooled child may be eligible for include:
- A comprehensive evaluation to determine the child's needs for special education benefits
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Other benefits that may vary depending on the school district
If you are concerned that your school district is not meeting its obligations to evaluate your homeschooled child or to provide them with the same benefits it offers special needs children enrolled in nonpublic schools, contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team to discuss your situation and learn more about what your rights are. We regularly advise parents about their rights to secure special education benefits for their school-age children and are ready to help you.
Do Homeschooled Students Have a Right to Take Any Classes at the Public School?
Michigan law allows homeschooled students to enroll in “nonessential elective courses” at their local public school, provided those courses are also available to full-time students enrolled at that school. Nonessential courses in grades 1-8 are those “other than a mathematics, science, social studies, and English language arts course required by the district for grade progression.” In high school, nonessential courses are ones other than “algebra 1, algebra 2, English 9-12, geometry, biology, chemistry, physics, economics, geography, American history, world history, the Constitution, government, and civics.” They also include courses offered for high school credit that may also provide the student with college credits and can include advanced placement, international baccalaureate, and college-level courses that are offered to high school-level students.
Requests for homeschooled students to take nonessential classes at the public school during the coming school year need to be made in writing to the local school district by May 1 of the present school year. The district has 60 days to respond. If your local school district is refusing to allow your homeschooled child to take one or more nonessential courses, contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team for help. We will review your situation and can be your advocate in discussions or other proceedings involving your local school district.
Can a Homeschooled Student Participate in Interscholastic Athletics in Michigan?
Interscholastic athletics at the middle through high school level in Michigan is governed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Its regulations require students to be enrolled in their local schools to be eligible to practice and compete. They define “enrolled” as meaning “actually having attended in person or online in one or more classes in a school.”
The MHSAA does provide a limited path for homeschooled students to be able to participate in interscholastic high school athletics. The student must, however, be “physically taking and passing at least 66 percent of full credit load potential for a full-time student” at the school where they wish to compete. A number of other factors must also apply before such a student will be considered eligible. In addition, in some cases, courses taken at home may be counted towards athletic eligibility.
If you have questions about whether your homeschooled child can participate in middle or high school athletics at their local public school, contact the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team for help. Our experienced attorneys are knowledgeable about the MHSAA eligibility requirements and can help you determine whether there is a path to eligibility for your child.
Can a Homeschooled Student Participate in Other Extracurricular School Activities in Michigan?
Homeschooled students may be eligible for extracurricular activities that require enrollment – such as band, choir, art, or drama courses offered by their local public school. These typically fall under the heading “nonessential classes.” Whether the homeschooled student can be involved in school clubs or organizations that don't grant credit is typically left to the discretion of the local school board.
The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team Can Help You with Your Michigan Homeschooling Questions
You want the best for your child, which is likely one of the reasons you've elected to homeschool them. When you have questions about what your child's rights are as a homeschooled student in Michigan, or what you're required to do as a parent homeschooling your child, the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team can help. Our experienced attorneys have helped parents from across the country, including Michigan, with a wide range of issues relating to children enrolled in grades K through 12.
We understand Michigan's homeschool, special needs, and interscholastic athletics laws, rules, and regulations. Our experienced attorneys are ready to help you make sure your child receives all of the benefits they have a right to under Michigan law and that you're complying with what that law requires of you.
Call us today at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form to set up a confidential consultation to learn more about how we can help you help your child thrive in your homeschool setting.
