MINNESOTA
Do Public School Policies Apply to You?
In Minnesota, the statute requires home schoolers to provide instruction for at least the same number of days as the public school. For the 1994-95 school year, the minimum requirement is 170 days. For the 1995-96 school year, the number will be increased to 172 days.
Some school districts have been confused about this requirement and are sending misinformed correspondence to home schoolers. These school districts are under the impression that the Minnesota State Board Regulations pertaining to hours of instruction per day for public schools are also applicable to home schoolers. This, however, is not the case. The only requirements regarding home education are found in the Minnesota statutes. Board of Education policies for public schools are not binding on home schoolers. Therefore, while the statute indicates the number of instructional days required for home schoolers, it is silent as to the number of instructional hours per day.
Another issue which arises every year is whether or not parents who intend to home school their 4-year-olds are required to submit to pre-school health screening conducted by the Department of Health. In Minnesota, a health examination is required for children prior to enrollment and attendance in the public school. Again, since a home school child will not be "attending" the public school, the Department of Health cannot insist that home schoolers submit to pre-school screening for their children.
Usually, well-meaning school officials are simply unaware that every policy regulating public school students does not have blanket application to private school and home school students. Should any member family encounter difficulties with officials or have questions about what is required of home schoolers, please contact the HSLDA legal staff for assistance.
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