Allegan Area Educational Service Agency - Home Schooling Information

Home Schooling Information

Home school information and registration details are available upon request to interested families. The Michigan Department of Education asks parents to register through their local Intermediate School District or directly with the state.

AAESA Contact:

Patti Dobias
(269) 673-2161, ext. #3747

The section of the Revised School Code that addresses this issue is contained in the Michigan Compiled Laws under MCL 380.1561.

Right to Home School

Michigan parents have the right to home school their children. The law requires a parent or legal guardian of a child from the age of six to sixteen to send his or her child to school during the entire school year, except under certain limited circumstances [MCL 380.1561]. The exceptions include, but are not limited to, sending a child to a state-approved, nonpublic school or educating a child at home in an organized educational program.

Who May Home School

Home school education is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. Theparent assigns homework, gives tests, and grades these tests. The issuance ofreport cards, transcripts, and diplomas are the responsibility of the home schoolfamily (based on internal standards). If home schooling continues through gradetwelve, the parent issues a high school diploma to the graduate.

Reporting Process

The annual registering of a home school to the Michigan Department ofEducation is voluntary. It is not required, unless the student is a special needs student and is requesting special education services from the local public schoolor intermediate school district. It is recommended that if special education services will be requested, the parent first submit a completed registration form(SM-4325) to the Department. Before special education services are stablished, the school will contact the Department for verification that this process is complete. A list of registered home schools is provided to Intermediate School District superintendents each December and February.It is not required that a parent inform their local school of the decision to homeschool, however, it is suggested. Failure to do so may result in the student beingmarked absent and the involvement of the truancy officer. Notification may be aphone call or a written note to the district. Keep in mind that a written note canbe placed in the student’s school record indicating when the student haswithdrawn from the school district.

Teacher Requirement

A parent or legal guardian that has registered with the Department is qualified to teach their child if they have a teaching certificate or a bachelor’s degree.However, if they claim an objection to teacher certification based upon a sincerely held religious belief, the minimum education requirement of a teaching certificate or a bachelor’s degree is waived.

Course of Study

Instruction must include mathematics, reading, English, science, and social studies in all grades; and the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution ofMichigan, and the history and present form of civil government of the United States, the State of Michigan, and the political subdivisions and municipalities ofthe State of Michigan in grades 10, 11, and 12.Home school students may enroll in nonessential elective classes at the resident public school. Nonessential elective classes may include, but are not limited to:band, drama, art, physical education, music, computer, and advanced placement courses.

Textbooks

Home school families may purchase the textbooks and instructional materials of their choice. School districts are not required to provide curriculum, textbooks and materials to home school families. Textbooks and curriculum materials maybe purchased from a teacher bookstore. Information regarding home school support services and materials may be accessed on the Internet at the following search prompts: home school curriculum, home school associations, or correspondence schools.

Student Records

Parents are encouraged to maintain student records of progress throughout the year. These records will assist school personnel with placement should the student enroll in a public or nonpublic school. The granting of credits and placement of students is solely determined by the receiving school. If a student attends a home school and returns to a public school, the public school generally reevaluates the student for grade placement and the transfer of credit.

Required Testing

There are no required tests for a home school student. The parent is responsible for administering tests based upon the books they purchase. A home school student may (it is not required) participate in the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) testing. The MEAP test is managed by the Department of Treasury and is administered at no cost to a home school student.For further information, please contact your local public school.

Athletics

The supervision and control of interscholastic athletics are the responsibility of each local board of education. Most local boards have adopted policies as proposed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Please contact the appropriate local school district or the Michigan High School Athletic Association at (517) 332-5046 or www.mhsaa.com.

Work Permits

Home school students may obtain a work permit through their local public school.

Funding

There are no public funds available for home schooling.

Additional Information

The Department’s website provides additional information on home schooling that includes legislation and the registration form and instructions. You mayaccess this information at www.michigan.gov/mde, select the GovernmentServices and Customer Satisfaction link under MDE Quick Links then click onHome School Information under Resources and Related Information. Foradditional information on home schooling, please contact Wanda Bazzett at (517)373-1833 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please visit the Michigan Department of Education for additional Home Schooling registration and curriculum information.

This information is provided as a service of the Allegan Area Education Service Agency and is distributed with the understanding that the Agency is not engaged in rendering legal advice. Those individuals desiring or requiring advice should seek the services of an attorney.