Homeschooling in Minnesota is every parent’s right. You don’t have to be a “certified” teacher or a college graduate to do it. In fact, your family has already been homeschooling for years. You helped your children learn to walk, talk, and explore the world. You know your children better than anyone, and are fully equipped to help them learn to read, write, and become responsible adults. MHA will get you off on the right foot as you start the next phase of your homeschooling journey.
First Step: Do Some Reading. A good place to start is to learn more about homeschooling from people who’ve written about their experiences. No two families homeschool in exactly the same way, so if you read several good books, that will help you understand what your options are. Once you see what has worked for others, it will be easier for you to choose methods and materials that are a good fit for you and your family.
Second Step: Know The Law. You’ll also need to become familiar with the law. That isn’t hard to do. We’ve created forms that will help you understand what your obligations are, and also help you comply with those obligations. It won’t take you long to get a handle on Minnesota homeschooling law, but you’ll need a few more minutes than you need for most of our other web pages. That’s why we’ve set up a separate page just for legal issues, called Minnesota Law And Forms. You can either go there now, or come back when you’ve got a bit more time.
Third Step: Get Support. Once you have a basic understanding of homeschooling and the laws that apply to it, you’ll want to gain access to another great asset for new homeschooling parents: the support of experienced homeschoolers. Join MHA and you’ll be connected with hundreds of homeschooling families who’ve “been there.” We can also help you find a support group in your area so you can regularly meet with other homeschooling parents in a small-group setting. You’ll want to attend our Annual Conference, which provides a wealth of information and support, covering topics of interest to beginners and old-timers alike. We also present “getting started” seminars at Information Stations several times a year, to help answer questions common to new homeschoolers.
Fourth Step: Start! When your family is ready to start homeschooling, just send your reporting form or letter to your school district’s superintendent (you’ll learn how to do that on our Minnesota Law And Forms page). If your children are in school, you can then remove them and begin homeschooling. If your kids have never been enrolled in an institutional school, so much the better: they won’t have to adjust to a different routine, and can simply continue learning at home!