Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular option for many parents. It offers a certain degree of flexibility and control to families over their children’s education, allowing them to tailor it to their specific needs. Illinois, the 5th most populous state in the US, is no exception.
There are a number of homeschooling regulations in the state, which parents must follow in order to homeschool their children legally. This article outlines the essential steps that parents must take to homeschool their children successfully in Illinois.
What is the Legal Age for Homeschooling in Illinois?
In Illinois, children must be at least six years of age by September 1st in order to be legally eligible to be homeschooled. The Illinois Department of Human Services also states that children may be withdrawn from public or private school in order to complete their education through other means once they have reached the age of
It is important to note that the compulsory attendance age for Illinois is 6 years old, meaning that children must receive some form of education from this age.
What Notices Do Homeschooling Parents Have to Give?
The state of Illinois requires that parents provide written notice when withdrawing their children from public or private school, and when then beginning to homeschool. Illinois homeschooling parents must submit their Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction to their local school district at least 10 days before they begin homeschooling.
In addition to this, Illinois homeschoolers must also notify their school district at the beginning of each school year that they continue to be homeschooling.
What Subjects Do Homeschoolers in Illinois Need to Cover?
When homeschooling in Illinois, parents must ensure that their curriculum covers at least the following subjects each year – language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. The curriculum should be designed to provide a foundation of knowledge upon which more complex ideas and concepts can be built. It should also reflect the student’s age and ability level, and should be adjusted accordingly.
Parents should also ensure that the curriculum used is age appropriate, meets the needs of their children, and meets the state’s educational requirements.
What Records Do Homeschoolers in Illinois Need to Keep?
In order to remain compliant with Illinois homeschooling regulations, parents must keep detailed records of their homeschooling activities. These records must include attendance logs, lesson plans, examples of student work, standardized test results, and any other educational documents.
Parents must also keep detailed records of any extra-curricular activities that their children may be a part of, such as field trips or sports teams. All of these records must be provided to the state upon request, as a means of ensuring that homeschooled children in Illinois are receiving an adequate education.
Are there Any Other Requirements for Homeschoolers in Illinois?
In addition to the requirements outlined above, parents in Illinois are also required to provide their children with annual standardized testing for grades 3-8, and high school graduation testing for grades 9-1 Illinois also requires that homeschoolers submit a copy of the testing results to their local school district to show that the student is meeting the state’s academic standards.
If a homeschooled student is not meeting this requirement, the school district may take further action, such as providing extra assistance or requiring the student to attend public or private school.
What Immunizations are Required for Homeschoolers in Illinois?
In Illinois, all children under the age of six years must receive certain immunizations in order to remain legally compliant as homeschoolers. Specifically, children under the age of six must be vaccinated against poliovirus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. Additionally, the Illinois State Board of Education also recommends that homeschoolers aged seven or older receive annual flu vaccinations and vaccinations for hepatitis B and the human papillomavirus.
Are Homeschoolers in Illinois Required to Attend School for Certain Days?
Illinois does not require homeschoolers to attend school for a certain number of days, days or hours. However, the state does recommend that parents take into consideration the length of the school day, the number of school days, and the school holidays when developing their homeschooling schedule.
This is to ensure that children are receiving a comparable amount of instruction to their peers in public and private schools.
Can Homeschooled Students Participate in Extracurricular Activities?
Yes, homeschooled students in Illinois can participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports teams, youth groups, and clubs. However, it is important to note that some of these activities may require that the homeschooled student attend the same school as their peers, or be enrolled in a distance learning or online program.
Additionally, some activities may require the homeschooled student to be considered a public or private school student in order for them to be eligible for the activity.
What Qualifications do Homeschooling Teachers in Illinois Need?
Homeschooling parents in Illinois are not required to have any special qualifications in order to be eligible to homeschool their children; however, it is recommended that they have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, homeschooling parents are not required to be certified teachers, and many choose to pursue non-teaching qualifications in order to ensure that their children are receiving a quality education.
Do Homeschooled Students Need to Take Standardized Tests?
Yes, homeschooled students in Illinois are required to take standardized tests in grades 3-8, and high school graduation tests in grades 9-12 (the SAT and ACT). These tests give parents an indication of how their children are performing compared to other students their age, and are also used to ensure that homeschooled children are receiving an adequate education. The results of these tests must also be submitted to the state in order to remain compliant with homeschooling regulations.
Are Homeschoolers in Illinois Regulated by the State?
Yes, Illinois regulates homeschoolers through the state’s Department of Human Services. Homeschoolers in the state must abide by certain requirements, such as providing written notice when beginning and continuing to homeschool, keeping detailed records of their homeschooling activities, and submitting standardized testing results to their local school district. Additionally, homeschoolers must also follow the state’s compulsory attendance laws, which require that children receive some form of education from the age of 6 years.
What Options are Available for Homeschoolers Who Wish to Pursue Higher Education?
Homeschooled students in Illinois who wish to pursue higher education have a number of options available to them, including attending community college, enrolling in distance learning or online programs, or applying to colleges or universities. However, homeschooled students may face certain challenges in gaining admission to post-secondary schools, as they may not have the same type of transcripts or standardized test scores as their peers who attended public or private school. As such, it is important for homeschooled students to make sure that they have their coursework and activities thoroughly documented, and that their portfolio of materials is regularly updated.
Conclusion
Homeschooling can be a great opportunity for families to provide their children with a high-quality education that is tailored to their individual needs and abilities. However, parents in Illinois must ensure that they are complying with all of the state’s homeschooling regulations in order to ensure that their children’s education is legally compliant. This includes providing notice when beginning and continuing to homeschool, providing the state with standardized testing results, and keeping detailed records of their homeschooling activities.
By following these simple steps, homeschooling parents in Illinois can ensure that their children are receiving the best possible education.