Legal/Homeschool Laws
Laws that regulate home education vary from state to state. It is important to understand the legal requirements in your state and to be aware of legislative and other legal issues that affect homeschoolers in your community. We've compiled resources that will help you become informed. Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and the vast majority of homeschoolers face no problems, you may find that you need legal assistance at some point in your homeschooling career. We've compiled a list of resources to help you find the support you need. And if you'd like to become more involved in working towards homeschooling freedoms, we discuss some of the issues facing homeschoolers that we hope you find compelling.
State Laws
Read the laws regulating home education in Michigan and browse through the case law and legal opinions relating to those laws, along with government publications relating to homeschooling and summaries of the laws.
Forms
Which forms do you need to fill out? Where can you get them? Here is a list of useful forms for homeschooling in Michigan.
Legal Support
If you need legal information or have run into a legal situation regarding your decision to homeschool, these resources will be helpful.
Lobbying Groups
A listing of local and national lobbying groups and information on how you can become involved in the political process to ensure the freedom to homeschool is protected.
Attorneys
When searching for an attorney, it is helpful to know whether he or she has experience working with homeschoolers and is interested in protecting the right to homeschool.
Legal Issues
Is homeschooling legal? Which laws pertain to homeschoolers and which don't? How do homeschoolers protect their rights to freely educate their children and to preserve their privacy?
Government Resources
A listing of local and state government resources, including your state's Department of Education, school districts, and Senate and House of Representative information.
What's Popular
Instructions for Completing Form SM-4325
The Nonpublic School Membership Report, form SM-4325, is sent annually to all nonpublic schools, including home schools. This form is the Department of Education’s method of gathering information about the schools.
Information Network for Christian Homes (INCH)
Information Network for Christian Homes (INCH) serves families interested or involved in home education by providing the information, resources and encouragement needed to teach their children at home in the state of Michigan, and to work to ensure the continued freedom to do so.
Nonpublic School Membership Report
This is a Michigan Department of Education form.
Michigan Department of Education Information on Nonpublic and Home Schools
This document is published by the Department of Education and is designed to assist homeschooling parents with their questions regarding home education in the state of Michigan.
People v. DeJonge (1993)
The DeJonge case approached the quest for the right to homeschool from a religious convictions standpoint. The ruling essentially granted a state-wide religious exemption from teacher certification to all parents who are opposed to teacher certification on religious grounds.
Reid v. Kenowa Hills Public Schools (2004)
On March 2, 2004, the Court of Appeals of Michigan affirmed a trial court grant of summary judgment for a school district finding that Michigan statutes do not require public schools to allow home schooled children to participate in extracurricular athletics.
Protecting the Frontiers of Home Education
A look at the fight to preserve homeschooling freedoms in the state of Michigan. Contains suggestions to try to build bridges, not barriers, with the leadership of communities and government– so that the front lines of Christian liberties, which includes the right to homeschool, and Judeo Christian values are not only securely guarded, but “diplomats” are recognized should an “assault from enemy lines come our way.” Relationships like bridges are built over time, not overnight. We all bear a res...
Michigan Department of Education
At this website, you will find information and contact information for the Michigan Department of Education.
Snyder v. Charlotte Schools (1984)
Snyder v Charlotte Public School District held that private school students have a statutory right to enroll in “non-core” classes at public schools.
Legal/Political Information for Homeschoolers in Michigan
A short guide to the legislative contacts in Michigan and at the federal level.
Home Education Options Under Michigan Law
A basic summary of the options available to home educating parents in Michigan. Discusses Michigan's compulsory school attendance law, home educating under execption (3)(a) as a non-public school, home educating under execption (3)(f) as a non-public school, the Michigan Department of Education's position on the exemptions, and the role of local and intermediate school districts.
380.1561 Compulsory attendance at public school; enrollment dates; exceptions.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, every parent, guardian, or other person in this state having control and charge of a child from the age of 6 to the child's sixteenth birthday shall send that child to a public school during the entire school year. The child's attendance shall be continuous and consecutive for the school year fixed by the school district in which the child is enrolled. In a school district that maintains school during the entire calendar year and in which the sch...
Teacher Certification Requirements for the State of Michigan
This Department of Education document lists the basic requirements to become certified to teach in the state of Michigan.
Michigan Home School Laws from HSLDA
The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a brief summary of the homeschooling laws in Michigan. Includes a link to a legal analysis of laws relating to homeschooling in Michigan.
388.553 Private, denominational and parochial schools; teachers, qualifications, examinations.
No person shall teach or give instruction in any of the regular or elementary grade studies in any private, denominational or parochial school within this state who does not hold a certificate such as would qualify him or her to teach in like grades of the public schools of the state: Provided, however, That any person who shall have taught in any elementary school or schools of the standard specified in this act for a period of 10 years or more preceding the passage of this act, shall, upon fil...
Looking for Another State?
Featured Resources
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this site.
Secret of Childhood
Maria Montessori describes the child with warmth and the exactness of a scientist. She also discusses the array of materials and techniques needed to release his learning potential.
Handbook of Nature Study
A matchless handbook for decades, this classic work has been the natural history bible for countless teachers and others who seek information about their environment. Written originally for those elementary school teachers who knew little of common p...
Kids' Poems (Grades 1)
Regie Routman shares her delightful selection of free verse poems written by first graders that will inspire your second graders to think, I can write poems like this too! Regie provides strategies for using kids' poems as models to guide children to...
Total Language Plus
Total Language Plus is an innovative curriculum focused on teaching thinking and communication skills using literature as a base. The authors believe an integrated system is more efficient than a fragmented approach, discovery style learning is the m...
Montessori: A Modern Approach
Montessori: A Modern Approach has been called the single best book for anyone -- educator, childcare professional, and especially parent -- seeking answers to the questions: What is the Montessori method? Are its revolutionary ideas about early child...