How to homeschool in North Dakota

Home education (Statement of Intent) · N.D. Cent. Code ch. 15.1-23

A parent supervises the child's education at home and files an annual Statement of Intent with the local superintendent. A parent with a high school diploma or GED needs no monitoring; a parent without one must be monitored by a licensed teacher for the first two years.

Notice

• Send to: the superintendent of your child's school district of residence (or the county superintendent if the district has no superintendent).
• When: at least 5 days before beginning home education, or within 14 days of moving into a school district.
• How often: annually (one form per child).
• How: file the state's Statement of Intent form (SFN 16909) with attachments; certified mail with return receipt is a good way to keep proof.

Instruction time

At least 4 hours per day for at least 175 days per year.

Required subjects

• The subjects North Dakota law requires public schools to teach (NDCC ch. 15.1-21), which include English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies (including U.S. and North Dakota history and government), health, and physical education.

Records to keep

• An annual record of courses taken.
• The child's academic progress assessments, including any standardized test results (give them to the district on request if the child transfers to public school).

Testing / evaluation

A standardized achievement test in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10, given by a licensed (or ESPB-approved) teacher, with results filed with the superintendent. Exempt if, when you file your Statement of Intent, you notify the district of a philosophical, moral, or religious objection, or document that you hold a teaching license, a bachelor's degree, or a passing national teacher exam score. A composite below the 30th percentile triggers a learning assessment and possibly a remediation plan.

Parent qualifications

High school diploma or GED; otherwise the parent must be monitored by a licensed teacher for the first two years (longer if test scores are below the 50th percentile).

Also

• Compulsory attendance ages are 7 to 16.
• Monitors meet with the family about one hour per week and report progress to the superintendent twice a year.
• Children with a developmental disability have additional filing and progress-report requirements (§§ 15.1-23-14 and -15).

What the notice must include

• The child's name, address, date of birth, and grade level.
• The supervising parent's name, address, and qualifications (attach a copy of your diploma or GED).
• Any public school courses the child will take and the district offering them.
• Any extracurricular activities the child will join and the district or approved nonpublic school offering them.
• A copy of the child's immunization record.
• Proof of the child's identity.
• If claiming a testing exemption: notice of the exemption and supporting documentation.
• If monitoring is required: who will monitor (district-provided or a licensed teacher you select).

Checklist

• File your Statement of Intent (SFN 16909) with the local superintendent: at least 5 days before starting, and every year.
• Attach immunization record, proof of identity, and your diploma/GED copy: with your Statement of Intent.
• File a testing exemption, if you qualify: at the same time as your Statement of Intent.
• Arrange the standardized test and file results with the superintendent: in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 (unless exempt).
• Keep an annual record of courses and academic progress: ongoing.
• Teach at least 4 hours/day for 175 days: each school year.