Illinois Homeschool Laws
Homeschooling in Illinois
How do I start homeschooling?
There a few regulations for homeschooling in Illinois, which means you have the freedom to homeschool the way that works best for your child. In fact, there are just three simple steps you’ll need to follow.
- If your child is currently enrolled in public or private school, it’s a good idea to officially withdraw him or her. (This is not a legal requirement, but rather a precaution to avoid any truancy questions.)
- Choose the curriculum you want to use. Mixing and matching different curricula for different subjects is totally fine and often lets you better tailor a program to your child’s individual needs.
Download the Modify™ app for tracking and record keeping.
Enjoying learning together!
Homeschool Laws
According to Illinois Public Act 093-0858, “Whoever has custody or control of any child between the ages of 7 and 17 years (unless the child has already graduated from high school) shall cause such child to attend some public school in the district wherein the child resides the entire time it is in session during the regular school term.” Children attending a private school are one exception, and your homeschool is considered a private school.
The only homeschool requirement in Illinois is related to the subject areas that need to be taught. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, “Graduation requirements, homework, testing, grade advancement, textbook/curriculum choice, recordkeeping, etc. are all decisions that the homeschool parent or guardian will make.” Also, although a consistent schedule is recommended, “there are no requirements for the number of school days or the length of a school day for homeschool students. Classes can occur any day of the week and at any time during the day.”
Homeschool Requirements
Even though Illinois does not highly regulate homeschooling, there are some Illinois homeschool requirements you must satisfy when you homeschool:
- Begin homeschooling by age 7.
- Withdraw your child from the current school, register your child as a homeschooler with the state, and/or write a letter of intent to homeschool and submit it to the school.
- Teach the required subjects: “Per 105 ILCS 5/26-1 and 27-1, you must provide instruction, in the English language, in the following subject areas: Language arts, Mathematics, Biological and physical science, Social science (social studies), Fine arts, Physical development and health.” As a homeschooler, you are not required to offer specific classes. However, the Illinois State Board of Education recommends that you use the same graduation requirements used in public schools if your homeschooler is planning on attending college. The Illinois Common Core Learning Standards are also available for review as you plan your homeschool.
- Stay current with homeschooling laws and requirements.
Modify™ has made keeping these records convenient and easy.
Graduation requirements
In Illinois, as in most states, the requirements for graduation are determined by the homeschool administrator, which for homeschoolers is the parent.
Here are some recommendations:
Illinois diploma requirements:
Parents determine when their student has fulfilled graduation requirements and can issue their own homeschool diploma; students of private/online schools may receive diplomas from those institutions.
Illinois high school testing requirements:
Homeschool students are not subject to testing requirements for graduation.
Illinois high school transcripts:
Homeschool parents may create their own student transcripts, and may include any information they deem pertinent to colleges, military, and/or future workplace organizations.
Illinois high school course credits:
Parents determine when their student has fulfilled graduation requirements; for the purpose of creating transcripts, some homeschool parents do assign credits to individual courses.
GED eligibility:
Students who are at least 18 years old and have not earned a high school diploma from an accredited high school and are not currently enrolled in a public high school are eligible to apply to take the General Education Diploma test.
REFERENCE GUIDE:
Note: All information on this site is provided with no guarantee of accuracy. Modify™ is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outdated information, or for the results yielded through use of this information.
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