Who May Home School: Home school education is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. The parent assigns homework, gives tests and grades these tests. The issuance of report cards, transcripts, and diplomas are the responsibility of the home school family (based on internal standards). If home schooling continues through grade 12, the parent issues a high school diploma to the graduate.
Reporting Process: The annual registering of a home school to the Michigan Department of Education is voluntary. It is not required unless the student has special needs and is requesting special education services from the local public school or intermediate school district. It is recommended that if special education services will be requested, the parent first submit a completed Nonpublic School Membership Report to the Department. This form is available on www.michigan.gov/homeschool. Before special education services are established, 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 Feruary.
It is not required that a parent inform their local school of the decision to home school, however, it is suggested. Failure to do so may result in the student being marked absent and involvement of the truancy officer. Notification may be a phone call or a written note to the district. Keep in mind that a written note can be placed in the student's school record indicating when the student has withdrawn from the school district.
Textbooks: Home school families may purchase the textbooks and instructional material of their choice. School districts are not required to provide curriculum, textbooks, and materials to home school families. Textbooks and curriculum materials may be purchased from a teacher bookstore. Information regarding home school support services and materials can be found on the internet.
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 students for grade placement and the transfer of credit.
Required Testing: There are no required tests for a home school student. The parent is repsonsible for administering tests based upon the curriculum they use. A home school student may (it is not required) participate in the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) testing and the Michigna Merit Examination (MME) at their local public school. The MEAP test and the MME are managed by the Department and are administered at no cost to a home school student. For further information, please contact your local public school.
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 of Michigan, and the history and present form of civil government of the United States, the State of Michigan, and the political subdivisions and municipalities of the State of Michigan in grades 10 11, 12.
Home school students may enroll in nonessential elective classes at the resident public school Non esessionl elective classes may include, but not limited to, band, drama, art, physical education, music, computer, and advanced placement courses.
REMC 2 South's services are also available for a small fee. (Video's, elision dyes, book sets, etc)
Additional Information: The Department's website provides additional information on home schooling that includes legislation and the registration form and instructions. You may access this information at www.michigan.gov/homeschool. For additional information on home schooling, please contact Tami Feldpausch at (517) 373-1833 or email nonpublicschools@michigan.gov.