CURRENT GRADE: D
Michigan has no education freedom laws that permit public dollars to be used for non-public school purposes. They offer a few options for choice of public school and charter school.
Michigan has very friendly homeschool laws.
Compulsory education is required for ages 6-16.
Education Options
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- Students may enroll in any school within their district, if the district participates in the program.
- Schools can choose to permit out of districts students to enroll in their district.
- Schools can cooperate with other districts in developing cooperative programs.
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- Full-time enrollment for K-12.
- Publicly funded so no tuition.
- A loaner computer and internet stipend may be provided for qualified students.
- In 2023, over 259,000 students took at least one course.
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- Oversight is by either a university or community college board or local school board.
- Operated as a public school.
Michigan Education Savings Program
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- A private college savings account that can also be used for K-12 education (up to $10,000)
Homeschooling Laws
Here are state laws on the topic of homeschooling:
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- A student is exempt from compulsory attendance if: the child is being educated at the child’s home by his or her parent or legal guardian in an organized educational program in the subject areas of reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar.
- Participation in public school sports is determined by the local school district.
Religious Exemptions:
- A student may be excused if: the child is age 12 or 13 and is in attendance at confirmation classes conducted for a period of 5 months or less.
The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many argue that a religious conviction to provide a home-based education is constitutionally protected and a state religious exemption law is not a requirement to be able to homeschool on religious grounds.
It should be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that “Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, a state law requiring that children attend school past eighth grade violates the parents’ constitutional right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” (The case involved a challenge of a 16-year-old student to be exempt, so the scope was limited)
