FAQs

We are here to answer all your Homeschooling questions. 

The Five W's of Michigan Homeschooling

1. WHO can homeschool in Michigan?

• Any parent willing to “own” their child’s education and provide what our state law requires: an “organized educational program” in these areas: language arts (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, & literature), in math, science, history, and civics…

• Follow the legal requirement in Michigan. 
  • No requirement for teacher certification
  • No minimum requirement for parents’ educational level

(In fact research shows there is absolutely NO correlation between student success and the parents’ level of education. The ONLY correlation is this: Student success levels go up based on the level of parental involvement… and how can parents be more involved than by actually taking on the task of home educating and becoming the ones ultimately responsible for their child’s education?!?)

• No registration, reporting, or mandatory testing in Michigan, either!

So who can homeschool? YOU can! As the parent, there is NO ONE who knows your child better or who cares more than YOU do!

What is your "Why"?

One of the most important aspects of homeschooling is knowing your WHY!

History of Homeschooling in Michigan

n Michigan, the most pivotal court case in opening up homeschooling to parents was De Jonge vs. Michigan. Mark and Christine De Jonge were called into court and accused of violating the state’s compulsory attendance laws. You can read more about their case here:

https://www.hslda.org/Legal/state/mi/198500000/default.asp

MiCHN: In what year did your family begin home educating, and what originally motivated you to choose that option?

Mark & Christine De Jonge: We enrolled our first child Tony in the public school for kindergarten and 1^st grade.  We did not like what we saw in the class room (Chris being a room mother). Tony came home with papers on evolution with pictures along and literature of conjecture on how they believed species evolved.  And then there were the manners of the children, the disrespect for the teacher, and the fact our son didn’t seem to be learning much. In kindergarten he didn’t even finish going through the Alphabet.  The whole picture looked chaotic. Tony came home from school a different boy, being separated from the rest of the family. Not what we had envisioned for your Christian family.

Homeschool Curriculum

We know that there is a lot out there to choose from! And all those terms... Charlotte Mason? Classical? Unit Study?.... 

We have answers for you. 

How does my high school student graduate from homeschooling?

As a parent, you are in charge of graduating your homeschool student. The administrators of a homeschool (the parents) have the ability to determine requirements for graduation, just like private schools do.

When your child has completed what you determine to be your school’s requirements for graduation, you may:

• graduate them
• award a diploma
• and write a transcript for college 

**MICHN members have access to customizable high school transcript

Do I have to keep attendance records?

Parents in Michigan who choose option 1 are not required to keep attendance records for each school year, but MICHN offers planning tools and resources if you would like to do so for your own records. Remember, the goal is learning!

What about other types of record keeping?

There are other types of records besides attendance records. While you are not required by the state of Michigan to keep records with option 1, we recommend that you keep a copy of the following items just to cover all your bases:

• A portfolio of work by each student showing what they’ve accomplished in each grade.
• Notes on what textbooks, workbooks and lesson plans you’ve used each year.
• Copies of any correspondence that you’ve had with the public school.
• Test results from tests that you’ve given, though standardized testing is not required.
• Field trips attended, including those taken with support groups.

The Research for Homeschooling

Homeschooling and the homeschool community have undergone a notable resurgence around the world since the late 1970s. Homeschooling research is growing quickly. This page is your gateway to research and academic perspectives and scholarship regarding the homeschool movement in general and homeschool families and children (or students) in particular, and homeschooling in the context of larger society. Other terms similar to homeschooling are home schooling, home education, home-based education, and unschooling.

Here are a few key resources on homeschooling research:

Public School / Homeschool Partnerships

MiCHN’s Position Paper on Public School Partnerships

MiCHN wants to clearly state what has always been the case: Our vision explains that we exist “to promote Biblically-based, family-centered, privately-funded, parent-directed home discipleship” in Michigan. Therefore, we do not encourage involvement in any ‘shared time’ or partnership programs with the public schools. We are very concerned about the rapid growth of such public school partnerships because of the following reasons:

Statement on Abuse

As a statewide organization, MiCHN has had the privilege of serving thousands of wonderful homeschooling parents throughout the years—parents who love and care for their children and have made great sacrifices to teach and train their children in a positive, encouraging environment.

When parents fail to guard and protect their children, it is a painful reminder of the fallen world in which we live. All parents, as well as homeschooling parents and leaders, must be alert to abuse or neglect in order to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

Our Perspective
MiCHN provides encouragement and help for parents who choose to homeschool. We provide information, resources, and advice regarding home education and family life. Under no circumstances would MiCHN want our homeschool freedoms to shield child abuse or domestic violence. Many families in Michigan have chosen the home education option as a way to protect their children from physical and/or sexual abuse their children have experienced in the public schools where they have been victimized by teachers, school staff or other students.

We believe parents should be encouaged to find the educational approach that works best for their child, and we encourage parents to be fully involved in the education of their own child. Children thrive in the loving, nuturing environment of parental care and oversight. The Gen 2 Survey revealed that students that are homeschooled are 257% less likely to be sexually abused than those in public schools. There is no documented evidence that shows homeschoolers are at any greater risk for abuse if they live in a low-regulation homeschooling state than if they live in one with much regulation. There is no evidence that putting more educational restrictions on loving, law-abiding families will reduce child abuse in the state. More careful reporting and follow-up on known instances of child abuse and neglect, however, will.

What to Do 
Laws that address child abuse and neglect, as well as domestic violence, are in place. First-hand information regarding child abuse or neglect should be reported immediately to the appropriate civil authorities.

If you believe a child is being sexually abused, call the police. If you believe a child is at risk of imminent harm, call 911.

It is with much appreciation that MiCHN includes the following links provided by Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). These resources help identify child abuse and neglect and offer helpful information and hope.

Child Abuse
What is considered child abuse according to the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and how can you prevent it?

Sexual Abuse
How can you identify sexual abuse and what age-appropriate information should you share with your children?

Safety Principles
How can you pro-actively prevent sexual abuse?  How can you protect someone who has experienced abuse?

If You Suspect Child Abuse
If you suspect child abuse or neglect, how can you follow up on your concerns?

Additional Resources
Learn how to protect your child from abuse. What can you do if you find yourself, your child, or another family’s child in an abusive situation?

Definitions of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence in Michigan
Visit the following website for a description of child abuse and domestic violence with additional information on mandatory reporters, confidential records, and false reporting.

Focus on the Family 
Focus on the Family offers valuable resources for families in crisis. Visit Focus on the Family or call their Help Center counselors at 1-855-771-HELP (4357), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-10  p.m. Eastern Time.

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) and press 1 or visit Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline or Help for Kids. Although counselors do not report abuse, they can assist you with resources in your local area.