Many families in Michigan choose to homeschool their children for a variety of reasons. If you are considering the homeschool pathway this article will give you some insight into the legal responsibilities and the reality of homeschooling your child/ren.
If you live in Michigan and are considering homeschooling your child, there are a few things you need to know first. Below are some basics of homeschooling in Michigan and some tips to help get you started.
What is homeschooling and why you should consider it
Homeschooling is where parents (instead of the public school system) educate their children at home.
They do this by teaching them through textbooks, hands-on lessons, and teaching them skills they will need to learn in life that they would not usually experience in a classroom environment.
There are many reasons you might consider homeschooling your children, including religious reasons, wanting to have more influence on your child’s education, or simply that public school just isn’t the right fit for them.
Some of the benefits of a homeschooling family are that it is efficient, allows academic flexibility, choices in the learning pace of the student, and is an environment that has less social and peer pressure.
Homeschooling can be a great option if you are interested in teaching your kids about specific topics and subjects in-depth or if you want to emphasize foreign languages, handicrafts, music, and art.
Homeschooling is different from private schooling (which is where kids go to a school that is run by a church or other community institution) It is a one-on-one learning environment without the distractions of a classroom full of others. It allows freedom for both parent and student/child to express themselves and embrace their learning style.
As we know every child has one of the 7 learning styles that is specific to them. Often in traditional schools only 3 of the 7 styles are catered to. All the other styles for the other kids are neglected.
Hence, why some kids struggle to learn. To learn more about the 7 learning styles read more
How to register as a home-educating family in Michigan
To register as a home-educating family in Michigan, there are a few simple steps that you will need to take.
- The first step is to contact your local school district and let them know that you will be homeschooling your child(ren). You will also need to complete the homeschool affidavit, which is available on the Michigan Department of Education website. Be sure to keep a copy of this form for your records.
- You will also need to submit an annual educational plan for your child(ren) to the school district. This plan should outline the subjects and Topic content that your child will be studying and the methods that you will be using to teach them.
- If you are electing your child to leave traditional schooling to commence homeschooling it is recommended that you inform the applicable school of your intentions. This is so your child is not marked as truant or absent.
- There are no required tests for a home-schooled student. The parent is responsible for administering tests based on the curriculum they use. Although not required, homeschooled students may participate in state testing at their local public school. These tests are managed by MDE and are administered at no cost to a home-schooled student.
MDE’s website provides additional information on homeschooling that includes legislation,
the registration form, and instructions. You may access this information at the Michigan
home school website – www.michigan.gov/homeschool. For additional information on homeschooling, please email nonpublicschools@michigan.gov.
For further detailed information on the legalities please read this PDF from the Michigan State Government
Before you begin
- Before you get started teaching your children you need to be aware and learn about homeschooling laws that are applicable in Michigan.
- Make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities as a homeschooling parent
- Get connected with other families that are also teaching their children at home by either joining an organization or meeting up in person
- Decide how you want to teach your children, which could include just teaching them yourself, hiring a tutor, or finding other like-minded parents to teach them together (cooperative learning)
- Remember: homeschooling is fun and rewarding but it is also a lot of work. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with things like creating daily lesson plans, finding curriculum materials, or just seeking mommy support
Find resources for parents considering homeschooling their children
The Free Resources available to help with the process of homeschooling your child or children in Michigan are at your disposal.
There are many wonderful opportunities available to homeschooling parents in Michigan, both online and offline.
The Homeschooling Legal Defense Association HLDA has collected a list of free resources for you to check out if you have any questions about the law or homeschooling in general.
The list includes websites, organizations, and newsletters. If you still have questions, feel free to contact them as well as information about which states recognize Michigan’s homeschool law will be listed as well.
Here are a few resources that parents considering homeschooling their kids could use:
- The Michigan Department of Education’s website about homeschooling parents
- Michigan Virtual Head Start can help you get started by providing a free service to connect you with other homeschoolers in your area and giving you practice tests that can help get you ready to teach your child at home
- The Home School Legal Defense Association has case studies of homeschooling families and legal information about homeschooling parents’ rights and responsibilities. This helps inform homeschooling parents about their rights and gives case studies of homeschoolers to show how it has benefited children.
- Curriculum options are available for kids of all ages including Bob Jones University Press, Math Mammoth, Creative Publications Homeschool Curriculum, and Sonlight Curriculum
- Private school options for kids not interested in staying home to learn v. Curriculum options available for children of all ages
Tips on how to make your curriculum, including books, websites, and apps that may be helpful
Making your own curriculum can be a daunting task, but with the right resources, it can be a breeze. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Start with a plan. A well-organized curriculum will make your life much easier. Decide what you want to teach and when you want to teach it before you start buying materials.
- Choose the right books. Not all textbooks are created equal. Look for textbooks that are aligned with state standards and are written by reputable authors.
- Use online resources. There are many great websites out there that offer free lesson plans and activities. Be sure to check out the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM), and the Common Core Standards.
- Check out apps. There are great apps available that teach number sense, geometry, problem-solving, and more! A few examples are Counting Kingdom, Tynker, Geogebra, Number Pieces to Pocket, Thousandth Day Math Problem Solver, Pythagoras, and more.
The benefits of homeschooling vs public school
The benefits of homeschooling vs public school are endless. When homeschooling, you not only save money on tuition for public school but you also don’t have to worry about bullying, drugs (prescription or otherwise), and other negative influences that can affect your child’s life while at home.
Homeschooling is taking some time out of the day to teach your children valuable skills that they can use later in life to get a job, make money, and become successful. Homeschooling allows them to go at their own pace while receiving all the love and care that you can give them in a safe and nurturing environment.
Types of homeschooling in Michigan
There are many different types of home education programs, and most states recognize more than one type.
In general, the most popular types of self-directed learning include religious home education, unschooling, traditional home education, and classical home education.
Religious homeschooling in Michigan
Religious homeschooling in MichiganHomeschooling is often used as a tool for religious instruction by some parents.
While some religious organizations offer faith-based curriculum options online or through local schools, you are not required to submit any type of religious materials to your local school district.
Unschooling in Michigan
Unschooling in Michigan. For many parents, unschooling is their preferred method of homeschooling. Unschoolers believe that the traditional role of the teacher should be eliminated and replaced with a more individualized approach to learning.
The idea behind unschooling is to encourage children to learn about topics that interest them while allowing them to use real-world experiences as a way of gaining knowledge.
Traditional homeschooling in Michigan
Traditional homeschooling in Michigan. The traditional approach to homeschooling is almost the complete opposite of unschooling because it adheres closely to a set curriculum and instruction plan.
While parents may not be part of the formal school system, they typically follow a set curriculum that is provided by a private or religious school.
Classical Homeschooling in Michigan
Classical homeschooling in Michigan. Classical home education is a term that refers to any type of homeschooling method which adheres closely to traditional subjects and includes a liberal arts curriculum.
Classes are usually taught in a more formal manner than other forms of home education, and there is usually an emphasis on developing good study habits.
FAQs about Homeschooling in Michigan
How can I find other homeschoolers in my area?
The easiest and fastest way is to join an online community group. You can do this by searching a Facebook Community Group in your local area. Here you can connect with others sign up for co-ordinated events and share homeschool tips. Here is a Facebook link for Michigan. Another way is to go and visit your local park and library during normal school hours. If there are kids at these places some may be homeschooled if they are of school age. Make contact and connect.
– What is the homeschool affidavit?
An affidavit is a form that must be completed and signed, then delivered to your school district. By submitting the affidavit, you are informing the State Education Department that your child will attend a home school and that you assume sole responsibility for your child’s education.
– Do I need to submit an annual educational plan or mandatory reporting?
Michigan is one of eleven states that does not require mandatory reporting. However, there are mandatory subjects that must be covered in all grades. However, Parents are responsible for issuing report cards and transcripts as well as a high school diploma at graduation so it is wise to keep records and samples of work and projects that have been undertaken.
– What subjects can my child study while homeschooling?
Michigan State law requires core subjects that must be taught in all grades. These subjects are Mathematics, English, and reading. social studies and science. In addition, from grade 10 – 12, other subjects include the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Michigan, and the history and present form of the civil government of the United States, the State of Michigan, and the political subdivisions and municipalities of the State of Michigan.
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