Minnesota

School Choice Policies

Charter School Choice

Does the state have charter schools?

Are for-profit charter schools or management companies allowed?

Unclear-

"The school must be organized and operated as a nonprofit corporation under chapter 317A and the provisions of that chapter shall apply to the school except as provided in this chapter. The operators authorized to organize and operate a school must incorporate as a nonprofit corporation before entering into a contract or other agreement for professional or other services, goods, or facilities."

A Minnesota policy expert stated that for-profit charter schools are not prohibited in state law, but none currently exist.

124E.06 Subd. 2(a):Nonprofit Corporation

Is there a cap on the number of charter schools?

Did not find-

We did not find information about caps on charter schools in Minnesota statutes. Education Commission of the States states that Minnesota does not have caps on charters. Additionally, a Minnesota policy expert stated that there is no cap on the number of charter schools in Minnesota.

Education Commission of the States 50-State Comparison

Are charters required to provide transportation for any students?

Yes-

A charter school must comply with all pupil transportation requirements in section 123B.88, subdivision 1. Section 123B.88, subdivision 1 states that students living two miles or more from a charter school must be offered transportation services. Also, a charter school must not require parents to surrender their rights to pupil transportation under section 123B.88, subdivision 2. The charter school must provide transportation to a student eligible for transportation, if requested by the parent or guardian.

124E.15(a) Transportation
123B.88, subdivision 1 Providing transportation

Can charter schools employ uncertified teachers?

No-

Charter schools must employ or contract with necessary teachers, as defined by section 122A.15, subdivision 1, who hold valid licenses to perform the particular service for which they are employed in the school. The commissioner may reduce the charter school's state aid under section 127A.43 if the school employs a teacher who is not appropriately licensed or approved by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

124E.12 Subd.1 Teacher Employment

Virtual School Choice

Do state statutes allow for full-time virtual schools?

Yes-

"Full-time online learning provider" means an enrolling school authorized by the department to deliver comprehensive public education at any or all of the elementary, middle, or high school levels.

124D.095 Subd.2(i): Online Learning Option

Are virtual schools required to track attendance?

Did not find-

We did not find information about virtual school attendance tracking requirements. However, a Minnesota policy expert stated that virtual schools must track attendance.

Do virtual schools have to comply with state teacher certification requirements?

Yes-

A teacher holding a Minnesota license must assemble and deliver instruction to online learning students.

124D.095 Subd.4(e)

Private School Choice

Does the state have voucher programs?

No-

No voucher programs found.

EdChoice School Choice in America

Does the state have educational expense tuition tax credits or deductions?

Yes-

Minnesota statutes allow for a K–12 education tax credit.

290.0674 Minnesota Education Credit.

Can students use vouchers to attend religious schools?

Not Applicable-

However, parents can't claim tax credits for fees that include the teaching of religious tenets, doctrines, or worship, the purpose of which is to instill such tenets, doctrines, or worship. They can't claim tax credit for expenses on textbooks that include instructional books and materials used in the teaching of religious tenets, doctrines, or worship, the purpose of which is to instill such tenets, doctrines, or worship.

290.0674 Subd.1(1 & 2)

Is there a cap on the number of students or private schools participating in voucher programs?

Not Applicable-

However, there is a cap on the tax credit amount: "For claimants with income not greater than $33,500, the maximum credit allowed for a family is $1,000 multiplied by the number of qualifying children in kindergarten through grade 12 in the family. The maximum credit for families with one qualifying child in kindergarten through grade 12 is reduced by $1 for each $4 of household income over $33,500, and the maximum credit for families with two or more qualifying children in kindergarten through grade 12 is reduced by $2 for each $4 of household income over $33,500, but in no case is the credit less than zero."

290.0674 Subd.2

Are voucher students in private schools required to take any standardized tests?

Not Applicable

Can private schools be removed from voucher programs based on performance?

Not Applicable

Are private schools in voucher programs required to provide transportation?

Not Applicable

Interdistrict School Choice

Does the state have interdistrict choice programs?

Yes-

"An enrollment options program is established to enable any pupil to attend a school or program in a district in which the pupil does not reside, subject to the limitations in this section."

124D.03 Subd. 1.Establishment. (a)

Are receiving schools or districts required to provide transportation to any students?

Yes-

"If requested by the parent of a pupil, the nonresident district shall provide transportation within the district. The resident district is not required to provide or pay for transportation between the pupil's residence and the border of the nonresident district."

124D.03 Subd.8 Transportation

Page last updated: July 2024

Click here to download the State Policy Spreadsheet. Click here to download the State Policy Map Data Memo.

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The State Policy Map provides a snapshot of school choice policy found in laws passed by the legislative bodies, for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on information gathered from state statutes in fall 2019; data checks continued through December 2020. Information on this site may not include the most up-to-date policy information. The State Policy Map does not systematically reflect state Department of Education administrative policies, rules, or regulations. All content on this site is provided for informational purposes only. Links to third-party websites are for the user’s convenience; neither REACH nor any affiliated entities endorse the contents of third-party sites.

Note: On June 30, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Montana's exclusion of religious schools from the state's tax credit scholarship program was unconstitutional (Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue 591). The responses to the question "Can students use vouchers to attend religious schools?" were collected before this ruling and therefore do not reflect any changes resulting from the Espinoza decision.