{"id":1129,"date":"2024-05-15T03:28:14","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T03:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myhomeschoolsherpa.com\/staging\/4301\/?p=1129"},"modified":"2024-08-29T12:57:30","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T12:57:30","slug":"6-simple-steps-to-start-homeschooling-in-minnesota","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myhomeschoolsherpa.com\/staging\/4301\/2024\/05\/15\/6-simple-steps-to-start-homeschooling-in-minnesota\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Simple Steps to Start Homeschooling in Minnesota"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So you\u2019ve made the decision: you\u2019re going to start homeschooling. Now what? Shouldn\u2019t there be a list somewhere so new homeschoolers know what they\u2019re supposed to do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, there should be. This is it. Read on for a comprehensive list of the steps new homeschoolers need to take in Minnesota. Or we’ve provided a downloadable 1-page bulleted list<\/a> complete with Minnesota-specific legalities and requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, and congratulations! In the coming months, the way you think about education, your kids, and your life is going to change. And chances are, you\u2019re going to love it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 1 – Submit Your Paperwork<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, let’s get the paperwork out of the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUBMITTING YOUR FIRST LETTER OF INTENT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve decided to homeschool, your first action item is to file a “letter of intent”<\/a> with your local public school district\u2019s superintendent. This letter must include your name and address, the names and birthdates of the children you intend to homeschool, and the provider and location of the standardized test you intend for your child to take for that school year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Minnesota Department of Education provides this sample form<\/a> that meets this requirement. We recommend you use Homeschool Sherpa’s streamlined form<\/a> that meets all the legal requirements for this letter, you’re welcome! Whatever form you use, you’ll need to identify your school district<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note that timing matters here\u2014you have until October 1st of the first school year the child receives instruction after reaching the age of seven<\/strong> or 15 days after your child stops attending school<\/strong> to submit the letter of intent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some school districts request additional information or documentation beyond what is legally required. You can reference the Minnesota statute listing of what you are legally required to report here<\/a>, if needed\/desired. If your school district asks for information that is not on the MDE form or the form we’ve provided, be prepared to ask questions about why they need this information and the legality of their request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUBMITTING THE IMMUNIZATION RECORD OR EXEMPTION FORM<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Along with the initial letter of intent, you will also submit a form to document vaccines and\/or exemptions <\/a>for children. On the Minnesota Department of Health website, you can read about the process<\/a> for medical and non-medical exemptions. For medical exemptions, the form must be signed by a healthcare provider. For non-medical exemptions, the form must be signed by a guardian in front of a notary (find a notary<\/a>). Unlike the letter of intent, you will only submit your vaccine documentation initially and then again when your child reaches 7th<\/sup> grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SELECTING A STANDARDIZED TEST<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The letter of intent will require one data point that you may not have considered yet: the standardized test. Minnesota requires all homeschooled students to take a standardized test annually. Several tests meet that requirement. We’ve highlighted a few tests <\/a>that MN homeschool families have used successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that this is the only significant homeschooling decision that you need to make in the first few weeks after you begin homeschooling, so once you have this out of the way, pat yourself on the back and let yourself slow down on the coming decisions. In other words\u2026 deschool.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2 – Soul Searching: Define Your Values & Shift Your Mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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With the first procedural stuff taken care of, it\u2019s time to set out into real uncharted territory. It may seem overwhelming at first to try to make some of these first choices, but fear not: guidance is available at every step of the way. Keep in mind that every<\/em> family’s approach is a work in progress. We all try things, then evaluate and adjust as we go. You\u2019ll be in good company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DESCHOOLING<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Deschooling<\/a> is not mandatory when you initially start homeschooling, but in most cases it\u2019s a good idea. What is deschooling? It\u2019s decompressing. It\u2019s taking some time after withdrawing from school before you start up whatever comes next. And it sets your family up for success. When your child\u2019s brain (and yours) is used to traditional schooling, it can take a while to sort through all the assumptions and habits that go with that approach and decide which ones to keep. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many there are! And once you allow yourself to take your foot off the gas, you can start figuring out which homeschool style is right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SELECTING A HOMESCHOOL STYLE OR CURRICULUM<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

At this stage, you may not have heard of a lot of the established homeschooling approaches or curricula out there. Don\u2019t worry, that\u2019s normal, and deschooling will help you start getting a sense of what approach is most in tune with your child\u2019s learning style and your family\u2019s priorities. Or you may find the parts of each that you like most and end up with your own, tailor-made approach to homeschooling. Just remember\u2014whatever choice you make at the start, what\u2019s best for your family is going to evolve over time, so give yourself some grace with this decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3- Find your People<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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FINDING YOUR PEOPLE<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019ve only just taken the plunge into homeschooling, it\u2019s really nice to have a friend or three that can offer answers, wisdom, and sympathy. But where can you find these new friends? Check out the homeschool co-ops in your area. Learn about events and classes. Connect online.  Get some leads on all of these methods on our interactive map<\/a>. Friends can be the best part of homeschooling- for the kids AND the parent(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4- Adjust as Needed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love the phrase “different strokes for different folks.”<\/em> Never is this more true than in homeschooling! Even within families siblings may need flexibility and varied approaches in their education along the way. You’ll learn what works for you and your child(ren) and what doesn’t. And then, 6 months later, you may hear of a new approach you want to try, and discover it works great! Or it doesn’t. The shifting is normal and necessary, albeit frustrating at times. When it’s happening, just stay the course and trust the process. Your child will learn resilience, flexibility, and new ways to approach challenges right along with you- which, I dare say, may be even more important in their life than whether you use math manipulatives or workbooks, Charlotte Mason or Waldorf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 5 – Stay on the Ball, Annually<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve got momentum on the above steps, great! You officially have no big \u201cgetting started with homeschooling\u201d tasks looming over you. The following items don\u2019t need to be at the front of your brain going forward, they are just the annual (or rarer) bureaucratic hoops to hop through when the time comes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUBMITTING AN ANNUAL LETTER OF INTENT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota requires homeschoolers to file a Letter of Intent to Continue Instruction<\/a> every year that they continue homeschooling, by October 1 of each school year. If you move, you will also need to notify your old district within 15 days of the move, and submit a new letter to the new district by October 1 of the next school year. Be sure to include any new children who have reached the age of 7 in the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUBMITTING UPDATED IMMUNIZATION RECORD<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If your child begins homeschooling before 7th<\/sup> grade, you must submit either an updated immunization from (page 1) or medical \/ non-medical exemption form (page 2)<\/a> when the child reaches the equivalent of 7th<\/sup> grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TAKING AN ANNUAL STANDARDIZED TEST<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Whatever your feelings about it, the state requires your child to take a standardized test every year. In Minnesota, you do not need to submit your results but you should save them. The one way around this is to accredit your homeschool. Our local accreditation expert Missy Rossing, can help you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 6- Ongoing, for those who keep on going!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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KEEP RECORDS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You might do this anyway. But somewhere, you should have records of what your child has spent time doing. Major projects, topics they\u2019ve covered, educational books they\u2019ve read, all that good stuff. If you are following a curriculum pretty closely, save the Scope and Sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are three reasons to keep records: one, it\u2019s satisfying to look back on what you\u2019ve accomplished. Two, colleges will want evidence that a prospective student (i.e., your child) has spent time with various subject matters. And three, to fulfill the law. Read on to understand what’s required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COVER ALL THE EDUCATIONAL BASES<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Minnesota requires students who are not in taught in an accredited school to maintain records demonstrating instruction in each of the following subject areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n