Even though Minnesota does not highly regulate homeschooling, there are some Minnesota homeschool requirements you must satisfy when you homeschool:

• Begin homeschooling by age 7.
• File the required Initial Registration Form for Unaccredited Schools by October 1 of the first year or within 15 days of withdrawal from public school.
• File the required Letter of Intent to Continue to Provide Instruction by October 1 each year thereafter.
• Provide instruction “in at least the following subject areas: basic communication skills including reading and writing, literature, and fine arts; mathematics and science; social studies including history, geography, economics, government, and citizenship; and health and physical education. Instruction, textbooks, and materials must be in the English language. Another language may be used pursuant to sections 124D.59 to 124D.61” (120A.22, subdivision 9).
• Complete annual assessments, if applicable.
• Stay current with homeschooling laws and requirements.

Required testing:

Based on 120A.22, subdivision 11, annual assessment is required when you are homeschooling according to these guidelines:

• “(a) Each year the performance of every child ages seven through 16 and every child ages 16 through 17 for which an initial report was filed pursuant to section 120A.24, subdivision 1, after the child is 16 and who is not enrolled in a public school must be assessed using a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement examination. The superintendent of the district in which the child receives instruction and the person in charge of the child’s instruction must agree about the specific examination to be used and the administration and location of the examination.
• (b) To the extent the examination in paragraph (a) does not provide assessment in all of the subject areas in subdivision 9, the parent must assess the child’s performance in the applicable subject area. This requirement applies only to a parent who provides instruction and does not meet the requirements of subdivision 10, clause (1), (2), or (3).” In other words, you do not have to submit annual assessments if you “hold a valid Minnesota teaching license in the field and for the grade level taught; are directly supervised by a person holding a valid Minnesota teaching license; or successfully complete a teacher competency examination.”

Homeschool parents are eligible to order tests from the University of Minnesota Statewide Testing Program. You can also consider checking with other organizations, your physician, or your school district’s special education office.

Testing Results:

“If the results of the assessments in paragraphs (a) and (b) indicate that the child’s performance on the total battery score is at or below the 30th percentile or one grade level below the performance level for children of the same age, the parent must obtain additional evaluation of the child’s abilities and performance for the purpose of determining whether the child has learning problems” (120A.22, subdivision 11).