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BEM 245 7 of 13 SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND STUDENT STATUS BPB 2026-012 5-1-2026

BRIDGES ELIGIBILITY MANUAL STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

homework, giving tests and grading tests. If home schooling contin- ues through grade 12, the parent or legal guardian issues a high school diploma to the graduate. The organized educational program must include the subject areas of reading, spelling, mathematics, science, history, civics, literature, writing, and English grammar. Home school families may purchase the textbooks and instructional material of their choice. Parents or legal guardians are encouraged to maintain student records of progress throughout the year. There are no required tests for a home school student, but the parent or legal guardian is responsible for administering tests based upon the curriculum they use. The annual registration of a home school with the MDE is voluntary. It is not required unless the student has special needs and is requesting special education services from the local public school or intermediate school district. A list of registered home schools is provided to intermediate school district superintendents each year. A parent or legal guardian may register a home school with the MDE by using the SM-4325, Nonpublic School Membership Report. Completion of the form is important. A home school student may be eligible to receive auxiliary services through their local public school district or ISD. It is not required that a parent or legal guardian inform their local school of the decision to home school. However, if the parent or legal guardian does not inform their local school, this may result in the student being marked absent and the involvement of the truancy officer. Notification may be a phone call or a written note to the district. CHILDREN NOT ENROLLED IN SCHOOL/HOME SCHOOL FIP Only A referral must be made to the local Intermediate School District’s attendance officer if it is verified a dependent child age 6 to 17 is not enrolled/attending a public school or is not participating in an organized education program. Document in Case Comments in Bridges that a referral to the attendance officer has been made. A referral may be made to Children’s Protective Services if it is veri- fied a dependent child age 6 to 17 is not enrolled/attending a public school or is not participating in an organized education program