Home Education Information
All "Statement of Intent to Home Educate" forms should be sent to the administration office of the school district of residence. Do not send the forms to the McKenzie County Superintendent of Schools Office. The information is on this web site is for informational purposes only.
“Home education means a program of education supervised by a child’s parent, in the child’s home, in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.” - North Dakota Century Code Chapter 15.1-23-01
Summary of Requirements
The following are requirements for home educators:
- Statement of Intent
- Must be filed 5 days prior to the beginning of home education or within 14 days of establishing a child's residence in a school district.
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of identity as it relates to NDCC 12-60-26.
- Immunization
- Proof of immunization or exemption as it relates to NDCC 12-60-26.
- Parent Qualifications
- A parent may supervise home education if the parent holds a high school diploma or general education development certificate to home educate. A parent may still supervise home education without these requirements if monitored.
- Progress Report
- Parents are required to maintain an annual record of courses taken by their child(ren) and the child's academic progress, including standardized achievement test results.
- Standardized Testing
- A standardized achievement test used by the school district of residence will be administered in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. If required by the parent, they shall take a nationally nor med standardized achievement test. Tests must be administered by a certified teacher. The cost of testing is paid by the school district unless the parents selects their own test and person to administer the test. In this case, the parent pays the costs. 15.1-23-08 through 15.1-23-10.
- If the child’s basic composite score falls below the 15th percentile nationally, a multidisciplinary assessment team must professionally evaluate the child for a potential learning problem. If the child's basic composite score falls below the 50th percentile nationally, the child must be monitored.
- Instruction
- A minimum of 4 hours per day for 175 days a year, in the child's home, with instruction being provided by the parent is required. School attendance or home education is required for children ages 7-16.
- Curriculum
- Core curriculum includes math, science, reading/English, spelling, social studies, health and physical education, music, and electives at the high school level.
- Diploma
- Typically, the parent overseeing the home education is responsible for issuing the child's high school diploma. North Dakota Century Code does allow the option of the school district of residence, an approved nonpublic high school, or the North Dakota Center for Distance Education to issue diplomas, but this decision is made locally at the district level and is not required by state law. Policies regarding issuance of high school diplomas to home educated students are established by the local school boards.