In Illinois, homeschooling is controlled by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
Parents or guardians who chose to homeschooled who homeschool must comply with some specific state laws and regulations to ensure their children receive a high-quality education
When you have decided to homeschool, the first thing that comes to your mind is “Where to begin homeschooling? To some people it’s confusing. Homeschooling makes it easy for many parents to support their children without the need for teaching experience or training.
If you want to start homeschooling in Illinois but don’t know where to start, in this article, I will give you a guide to homeschooling in Illinois.
Guide To Homeschooling In Illinois- Requirements
In order for you to homeschool effectively in Illinois, you must follow these requirements so that your “How do I start homeschooling?” will become “When do I stop homeschooling?”. Illinois homeschooling requirements include:
1. Educational qualification
The Illinois homeschooling laws do not state any requirements for homeschooling.
Some states require a minimum of a high school diploma or GED to effectively homeschool a child.
The only inclusion for Illinois is that homeschool lessons must be in English.
2. Teach The Compulsory Subjects
Adequate instruction for children is in high demand, while homeschooling in Illinois, the state requires that each child learn these subjects:
- Art Of Language,
- Math,
- biological and physical sciences,
- Social Sciences,
- fine arts, and
- Physical development and health.
3. Curriculum
Illinois homeschool laws have made it easy for a homeschooler to use any curriculum of their choosing.
The same applies to time spent on homeschooling; there is no specific time allotted for homeschooling, unlike some states, where you must homeschool for at least nine calendar months each year, excluding holidays.
Read Also: Home Schooling In Tennessee
4. Registry Maintenance
Record keeping is important during homeschooling. Even if the state does not include record keeping as a requirement, it is required.
You can keep records as proof of homeschooling or in case you want to stop homeschooling in Illinois.
These are the main documents you should include in your records:
- Curriculum used for teaching.
- Subjects
- Results of the standardized test you give your child
- Quizzes and rough jobs
All of these records will be compiled into a Homeschool Portfolio that you need when you want to go back to public school.
A homeschooling portfolio is a record of all major activities completed during the homeschooling period. It must include the curriculum, core and electives, and the child’s educational progress during home schooling. If you want to know more about how to carry a bag.
On the other hand, if you graduate from homeschooling and want to go to college, a homeschool transcript is formed for college testing.
5. Graduation Requirements For Illinois
In Illinois, the law requires that a child between the ages of 6 and 17 attend a public school or private school (Homeschool).
Therefore, if you have homeschooled your child to age 17 and you know that her child is college ready, she can graduate.
On the other hand, your child does not earn a high school diploma after graduating from Illinois Homeschool.
A diploma is made for public school students, but there is a way to get a high school equivalent. Earned by taking a HiSET exam.
What is the HiSET exam? HiSET stands for “High School Equivalency Test.” This is one of three tests used by US states and territories to measure high school equivalency skills.
It can help you achieve the important state-issued high school equivalency credential. Passing the HiSET exam shows that you have attained the academic knowledge and proficiency equivalent to those of a high school graduate. Taking it can help you create a whole new future.
The good news is that the HiSET credential is accepted everywhere, you earn it at your own pace, but the only thing is that you have to be at least 18 years old.
Homeschooling Laws In Illinois
For you to start homeschooling your child in Illinois, you must also be aware of the law governing it.
In Illinois, parents that want to homeschool their children must notify their local district superintendent of their intent. They must also submit an annual evaluation of their child’s educational progress to the superintendent.
The review must include a portfolio of the child’s work, standardized test scores (if available), and a detailed report from the parent.
There are no specific curriculum requirements for homeschoolers in Illinois. Still, parents should ensure that their child receives instruction in the core academic subjects of reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies.
Additionally, all homeschooled students in Illinois must take an annual achievement test that will assess their educational progress.
The state offers a great deal of flexibility when it comes to homeschooling. With good planning and execution, you can ensure your child receives a high-quality education through homeschooling.
Read Also: The Ultimate Guide To Homeschooling Preschool
How Do I Start Homeschooling In Illinois?
Since Illinois is such a low-regulation state, getting started is pretty simple!
1. First of all, if your child is currently enrolled in a public school, you will have to bring them out officially through due process
2. Secondly, you will have to decide whether you want to submit the Home Schooling Registration form to the Illinois State Board of Education. This step is optional, so you might decide to skip.
3. The most important is choosing a curriculum that suits your child and that covers the subjects and topics required by IL law.
4. Try to mentally identify the learning areas in your home where you can read books together on the couch and do bookwork at the table or a desk. You don’t need a dedicated homeschool room for this. This will really help you discover the best spot for your homeschooling.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Illinois require proof of homeschooling?
No, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep track of your child’s progress.
2. Do you pay for public school in Illinois?
No, it’s free to attend, open to all students, and funded by federal, state, and local government.
3. What age can students drop out of school in Illinois?
age 17
4. How many days of school are in Illinois?
176 days
Conclusion
Illinois is a great homeschool city with few homeschool laws. If you want to start homeschooling in Illinois, just follow the rules in this article,and enjoy your homeschooling journey to the fullest.
If you have questions about homeschooling, you can drop them in the comment section. I hope this article helped. Thank you