Homeschool testing in Minnesota

Verified against primary sources on July 19, 2026

At a glance

Testing required
Yes
When
annual, ages 7–16 (accredited-program exemption)
What qualifies
Nationally normed test required
Who administers
Per superintendent agreement (per-district gatekeeper); no credential fixed by statute.
Results
Kept in your records
Score floor
Results not filed with the state; used to determine need for further evaluation.

What the law says

Must be assessed using a nationally norm-referenced standardized achievement examination… The superintendent… and the person in charge of the child’s instruction must agree about the specific examination to be used and the administration and location.

Minn. Stat. § 120A.22 subd. 11

Alternatives to testing

Exemption if instruction is provided by an accredited school/person/institution.

Worth knowing

Statutory phrase is “nationally norm-referenced.” MDE examples (Iowa, Stanford, CAT/TerraNova, Peabody) are non-binding.