If you’re considering homeschooling in Illinois, we’ll help you learn about your options and how to make it work for your family’s unique needs.
To start homeschooling in Illinois, follow these steps:
- Research and familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws and regulations in Illinois.
- Notify your local school district of your intent to homeschool by submitting a notice of intent.
- Keep records of your child’s homeschooling progress and provide them to the local school district upon request.
- Provide instruction in specific subjects as required by Illinois state law.
- Meet the attendance requirements as set by Illinois state law.
- Register with a homeschooling organization or program if desired.
- Follow any additional regulations or laws set by your local school district or state.
- Start homeschooling and keep records of your child’s progress.
- Be aware that Illinois requires annual assessments for homeschooled students, which can be done through a standardized test, portfolio evaluation, or evaluation by a certified teacher.
Illinois is one of the most populous states in America, with over 12 million residents. But what does this mean for education?
Illinois is home to three major universities: the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and DePaul University. Additionally, the city of Chicago is home to the largest university in the world, the world’s second-largest library, and the most extensive park system in the country.
Given these facts, it may surprise you that Illinois is also home to more than 1.8 million residents not enrolled in any school.
Homeschooling has been legal since 1994, but until recently, it was illegal for parents to teach their own children. A federal judge eventually overturned this law, but there are still many restrictions on homeschooling within Illinois.
In addition to those restrictions, Illinois has some of the strictest requirements for registering private schools. Let’s take a closer look at the specifics of Illinois homeschooling laws.
How Do I Know If My State Has Home School Laws?
Before starting homeschooling in Illinois, you must know if it’s even allowed there. Fortunately, you don’t have to do much research to determine whether your state requires homeschooling. You can check the Department of Education website to see if Illinois has any requirements.
The website will provide general information about the process of the state.
You will find on the website that Illinois doesn’t have any regulations regarding homeschooling. Since no licensing or curriculum requirements exist, anyone can homeschool if they follow the guidelines.
What Are The Requirements For Starting A New Grade At An Unregistered Private Elementary And Secondary School (UPSE)?
Unregistered private elementary and secondary schools are required to enroll students in grades K 12.
This includes both public and private schools. The only difference between the two is that public schools must be registered with the state.
Private schools aren’t required to register and can operate without proper oversight. If a private school isn’t registered, parents must apply for enrollment.
To apply for enrollment, parents must complete a simple form and pay a $25 fee. Once an application is submitted, the school will be inspected. If the school passes inspection, then it can enroll students.
As far as the paperwork goes, this process is pretty straightforward. The only thing that requires extra attention is ensuring that each student is appropriately vaccinated against diseases like chickenpox and measles.
Is It Legal To Use Public Schools As Your Child’s Summer Camp Experience Without Being Registered With CPS?
It depends on where you live.
For example, in Illinois, parents are not prohibited from sending their kids to summer camps. The Department of Human Services allows parents to send their kids to public camps if they meet certain conditions.
Parents aren’t even required to register their children at the camp. However, children under 13 cannot stay overnight at a camp.
Parents are also free to volunteer at a public camp, but they should remember that they are responsible for the care of their children while they’re away.
Can You Be Forced Into Traditional Education After Homeschooled Children Turn 18 Years Old Or Graduate From Highschool/College?
Children cannot be forced into traditional education after being homeschooled, turning 18, or graduating high school. When a child turns 18 or has fulfilled the required classes and credits to meet graduation standards, it is up to the parent to issue a diploma and provide the appropriate documentation, including transcripts, to the relevant institution upon request.
If a child or parent wants to move from homeschooling to public schooling, they can either go back to the same school they attended or enrolled at another public school. At this point, the school can legally request that the parents submit proof that the child’s parents received permission to homeschool before approving enrollment.
However, this isn’t always necessary. Many times, schools will allow homeschooled children to continue attending classes. Some schools even offer internships, allowing homeschooled children to work alongside regular students.
Parents need to keep track of their children’s academic progress. The reason is that Illinois homeschool laws are constantly changing. Even though additional consent is not required from public schools or the board of education for homeschooled children, it remains a good idea for parents to file a report with the state every year.
Can a Parent Who Doesn’t Have College Degrees Teach Their Kids?
No rule or regulation states that a parent must have a college degree to homeschool their child or children. However, a parent must be competent, and the child must receive an education that meets the minimum standards of peers enrolled in public schools.
Should Parents Be Required By Law To Submit Test Scores While Homeschooling?
While requiring parents to submit test scores would be nice, it’s unnecessary. Instead, the state asks that parents inform the school district of the results of standardized tests taken by their children.
The parents then receive a certificate of completion showing that they’ve fulfilled the reporting requirement. This certificate is valid for one year as long as the child attends school.
Some parents feel that this is too burdensome. However, others think the reporting requirement makes it easier to ensure that their children receive an appropriate education level.
Either way, it’s best to consult your local school board before deciding on your child’s education. Illinois has made great strides toward improving its homeschooling laws in recent years.
If you’re interested in homeschooling in Illinois, you can visit the Illinois Department of Education website to learn more about the state’s current homeschooling laws.
