by Rita Onyx
This is meant to be a summary and NOT legal advice. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under.
Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular. Just in the last years alone, homeschooling rose up by 700%. What was once seen as old-fashioned and outdated is now a modern way to educate the next generation.
There are many benefits to homeschooling; it gives parents freedom in choosing the curriculums and subjects their children learn. Remote learning also ensures their children are kept safe, away from potential dangers like bullying or viruses in public schools. It’s a win-win situation.
Thinking of homeschooling your children too? Then follow this quick guide on how to homeschool your children if you live in North Dakota. Know the North Dakota homeschool state laws and regulations in your state so you can homeschool properly.
Quick Facts:
- There are two ways to homeschool:
- Home Education Law
- Private school
- Children between 7-16 of age must be in school
- You MUST notify your local school district of your intentions
Requirements:
- There ARE teacher qualifications
- There ARE state mandated subjects
- There ARE required assessments or testing
- There ARE immunization requirements
How to Homeschool Under the Home Education Law
- Comply with the teacher qualifications where you have two options:
- Have a high school diploma or a GED
- If you do not have a high school diploma or GED then you can be monitored by a certified teacher for the first two years (or longer if your child does not score above the 50th percentile in a standardized test)
- Notify the superintendent of the local school district of your intent to homeschool within 14 days starting
- Include in your notification:
- Name of child
- Address of child
- Grade level
- Name of parent
- Address of child
- Teacher qualifications
- Any public school courses and/or extracurricular activities that the child will be participating in
- Proof of identity of the child which can be either:
- Copy of a birth certificate
- Certified transcript
- Student records from previous school
- Other documentary evidence that is mutually agreed upon
- Instruction must be for at least 175 days each year
- Include the following subjects:
Elementary and Middle School Subjects:
- English language arts (reading, composition, creative writing, grammar, spelling)
- Social studies (including the U.S. Constitution, U.S. history, geography, government, North Dakota studies)
- Math
- Science (including agriculture)
- Physical education
- Health (including physiology, hygiene, disease control, and the nature and effects of alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics)
High School Subjects:
- English language arts (including literature, composition, and speech)
- Science (including biology and chemistry or physical science)
- Social studies (including U.S. history, civics, economics, and personal finance)
- Foreign languages or fine arts or career and technical education
- Physical education
- Keep a record of attendance
- Evaluate your child in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 with a standardized achievement test
How to Homeschool as a Private School
- Ensure that you are a North Dakota certified teacher
- Undergo a criminal history record check
- Instruction must be at least 180 days
- Submit a yearly statement of intent
Helpful links:
https://www.nd.gov/dpi/parentscommunity/parents/home-education
https://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/non-public-education/regulation-map/northdakota.html
Contact Information–State and Federal Departments of Education
- North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 201
Bismarck, ND 58505-0440
Phone: (701) 328-2260
Fax: (701) 328-2461
Website: http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/
- U.S. Department of Education, North Dakota