Michigan Homeschooling Laws
Some parents in Michigan may wonder whether homeschooling their children instead of attending public school is the right option. As it turns out, homeschooling in Michigan has been considered one of the most lenient and straightforward places to homeschool in the country. Homeschooling in Michigan requires very little government oversight. Parents are at liberty to choose many of the things they deem fit for their student to study. However, as with every state there are certain laws that govern education and homeschooling. In Michigan, the law requires any child ages 6 to 17 to attend school fulltime. Families are nonetheless provided with two options to meet this requirement while educating at home. Michigan parents may choose to homeschool under the homeschool statute or as a nonpublic school, or both.
Below you will find helpful information on the requirements and options available for homeschooling in Michigan.
*This information is by no means intended as legal advice; its purpose is merely informational. It is each parent’s responsibility to get informed and understand the applicable homeschooling laws which regulate homeschooling in his or her state.
Notice of Intent to Homeschool and Requirements to Homeschool in Michigan
Notice of Intent to Homeschool in Michigan
The statute in Michigan does not actually require parents to notify education authorities or local government that they are homeschooling. In fact, the statute specifically states that parents are authorized by law to give home instruction.
Starting Homeschooling in Michigan
There are two options considered legal to homeschool your child in Michigan:
- As a non-public school – this option is associated with more requirements. The law requires that only a certified teacher is considered eligible to teach the subjects with an exemption to a religious option. The curriculum chosen must be comparable to that used in the local district for your student’s age and grade. Upon request by the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s office, a parent is obligated and must be willing to submit information on the teachers’ qualification, the course of studies chosen and the enrollment of the pupils.
- As a home education program – this option does not require reporting to a school official and no enrollment process is needed. The parent determines when the student is ready to begin the program. The only requirement is that you must include instruction in the subjects of Mathematics, History, Reading, Civics, Writing, Literature, English Grammar, Spelling and Science.
Access to School Services as a Homeschooler in Michigan
The public school system is required by law to provide certain services to homeschoolers. These services include: participating in athletics upon prior contact with the local school board to confirm availability, the students are entitled to take part in the yearly state testing for no costs at all. Upon approval by the local school board, the students are allowed to participate in extracurricular activities such as physical education, band and drivers ed which may be available in specific regions (for those in the non-public school option, special education services are offered).
Recordkeeping for Homeschoolers in Michigan
It is not a requirement by law, but it is considered highly appropriate and beneficial to create a homeschooling portfolio for your child’s progress year to year. This information is crucial when it comes to creating a high school transcript for future college or career needs and in the event the homeschooler needs to return to school for any reason.As a parent, you might want to consider things worth keeping record of. We have got a few suggestions for you:
- For any standardized tests taken, keep record of the scores
- The grades by subject achieved by the student as well the report cards
- The subject work undertaken at each grade level
- Other achievements of the students including extracurricular activities he/she participated in
- Any volunteer service the student undertook while homeschooling
Requirements for Graduation in Michigan
As a matter of law, compulsory attendance of a student until the age of 17 is required and after that, parents are at liberty to determine the criteria for when the highschooler will receive a diploma.
The Michigan Merit Curriculum guideline provides you with information on graduation, and as a parent you can choose to follow that. If your student is considering college, looking at the recommendations for a school your student chooses is a good idea so that you may align your homeschool goals with those. Below is a chart outline of the comparison between homeschooling in Michigan and the public/private school option.
The chart below shows the comparison between graduation requirements in public school and homeschool.
Private/public school homeschool.
| Public/Private School | Homeschool | |
|---|---|---|
|
Diploma requirements in Michigan |
To be eligible for graduation, the student must achieve the 18 credits outlined in the Michigan Merit Curriculum. |
Homeschool parents are free to set the graduation requirements for their student. Parents also determine if and when their student will graduate and are also able to award a high school diploma under their own terms. Private and online schools can award diplomas to their students. |
| Requirements for testing in Michigan |
To be eligible for the Michigan Merit examination, the student has to be in 11th grade in MI. The examination includes the College Board SAT, Michigan developed Science and Social Studies and work keys job skills assessment. The official transcript indicates the scores of these tests. |
There is no law in Michigan that compels or forces homeschoolers to undertake a test as a requirement in order to graduate high school. |
|
Michigan high school transcripts |
GPA, attendance information, MME and any other pertinent information will reflect on the official transcripts which are generated by individual schools. These transcripts are available through an e-transcript service. |
Parents in Michigan can create the homeschoolers’ transcripts which may include information they considered relevant to institutions the homeschoolers may intend to apply to. This may include schools, colleges, workplace organizations, or the military. |
|
High school course credits in Michigan |
An educational development plan that shows how 18 credit hours are earned is a mandatory requirement in the Michigan pathway to graduation. |
Parents decide when it is time for their student to graduate high school in Michigan. Many parents choose to specify or assign academic credits to the courses taken during the homeschooling period as this may aid during the transcript creation process. |
|
Eligibility for GED in Michigan |
An individual who is at least 16 years and has been out of a regular school program for one calendar year is eligible for the test. |
Homeschoolers are subjected to the same requirements as students from public school. |
Homeschool High School Transcript Template
Track your homeschooler’s credits, courses, and accomplishments with this free homeschool high school transcript template.
Download the transcript template
Switching from Homeschooling to Public School in Michigan
Each school applies different guidelines for grade placement and enrollment of students. You will find that some schools let you register your child for the grade you wish him/her to attend while others require information on the student’s progress and the curriculum used during homeschooling. Other schools will have your child take an assessment test to determine the appropriate grade level your child belongs in.
Parents in Michigan have the privilege to choose a method they deem fit to homeschool their child; from the homeschool statute, or as a nonpublic school or both. Lernsys Homeschooling provides transcripts and curriculum records which include course average grade/final grade, quizzes/tests grades, lessons and topics covered, among other things.
Additional Resources Related to Homeschooling in Michigan
Have other questions about homeschooling in Michigan? You may find the following pages helpful.
