Homeschoolers, is it possible for a green state to be worse on homeschoolers than a yellow one?

Question

We are considering a move from Alabama (yellow state-church umbrella) to Illinois (green state- but the DHR folks and government schooling officials bug the c**p out of homeschoolers).

Illinois is always on the top 10 for social service contacts on the HSLDA site.

Can a green state actually a bigger hassle for homeschooling parents than a yellow state?

thank you!

p.s. we have homeschooled for almost 15 years without any hassles here in Alabama.

Answer 1

Yes, but not because the requirements are unreasonable or anything like that. A green state meanas they have very little if any government regulation of homeschoolers... The problem with this is that usually it means homeschoolers don't have to be involved in any way shape or form with the public school system and the department of education... so I imagine since the DOE doesn't have their required yearly reviews or lengthy registration papers, they go the extra mile to get involved where they don't always need to. It's also possible that public school officials simply don't understand the homeschool laws and assume parents who homeschool are breaking the law...since there are in fact very few laws to break.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what you mean by the "DHR" acronym, but if you mean the "officials", then no, they don't hound people.  If you read that on the HSLDA site, it's because they take all the worst-case scenarios, and times they've helped people and make it into a marketing effort and "Chicken Little" activity.

I've HS'ed in IL for three years.  There is *nothing* you have to do to HS here.  Nada.  I have one in HS'ing and one in PS and both our home district, and the district my DD gets bussed to know we HS and they couldn't care less.

They most definitely don't "bug the c**p out of HS'ers".  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Not to say there isn't "renegade principals or superintendents" here or there, but no different than any other state.

Many IL school districts allow HS'ing families access to the PS textbooks, partial enrollment (Driver's Ed, Band, Foreign Languages, etc.), and sometimes activities.  It depends on the district.

It's an even easier state to HS in than my former one - Kansas.

I don't know what HSLDA's listing of "social service contracts" means, and I can't seem to find it on their site.  But since my daughter is disabled, I'm on the mailing list of the social services state program and Illinois just came out ranked at #51 of the states/territories.  There is very little "social services" for the disabled, in spite of VERY HIGH taxes.  We are taxed to death here.  We pay $6500 in property taxes alone.  $2400 to our school district, $650 to our park district, and 22 other taxing districts.  It's insane.  We also have a horrible governor.

Are you meaning "gree" and "yellow" as far as HSLDA's "state action map"?  If so, I wouldn't base a more solely on that info.  I didn't take it into account at all when I moved.

In the interest of disclosure, though, I'm not a fan of HSLDA.  Here is a site with great information that lists some of the reasons why.  I have other personal issues with the organization.

http://hsislegal.com/

With Texas and Kansas, Illinois is one of the easiest states to HS in.  You don't even need an HSLDA membership.

EDITED TO ADD:  I'm not sure where "HSMOM..." got some of her information.  I've seen NOTHING like what she describes in the state.  The PS system is very open to HS'ing at least in the part of the state I HS in.  Chicagoland may be different.  We have NO BURDEN to prove we are HS'ing.  There is NO registration and no other proof needed.  Even if someone came to my door today, I would not have to show them *anything*.  Again, our PS district, and the one my DD attends, both know we HS her brother and they don't care one bit.  They actually ask for DS's input at her many IEP meetings.

The more important thing when looking at the HS environment in a new state is the local HS'ing community.  Make contact with them via Yahoo Groups, and other methods to see what the climate is in the area you're moving to.  I completely wiped another state off my list due to the horrible reception I rec'd from the region's HS'ing community.  People started attacking me because I don't HS my DD.  All they knew was the little bit I posted in my intros to the groups.  In contrast, the HS'ing community where I am welcomed me with open arms, and members did all sorts of things to help me before, during, and after our move.  I'm now deeply involved with the community here.

Also, you have to understand that Illinois is a *heavily* populated state - 20 million.  I moved from a state of 2 million.  Does the HSLDA data take into account the *per capita* incidences of contact or cases?  It's very easy to skew data to your "side".  I personally know 65 HS'ing families in my area and none has ever been contacted by anyone.  Many are involved w/ the PS system also.

Answer 3

There is no doubt that Illinois has higher educational standards than Alabama. But so does nearly every other state.

Answer 4

Hmmm....  I guess it could be if government officials are uninformed about the law, but if you join a good homeschool legal defense organization  you should be just fine.

I'm in a green state - Texas - and we haven't had any trouble at all.  I don't have to fill out any forms or reports, or submit to any testing or reviews.  I'm only accountable to God, my husband and myself.

I don't know how it could get any easier!

Good luck with your move!!!