Homeschooling in Illinois?

Question

I want to homeschool my son when he has to begin pre-school but I've been looking on-line for more information and if someone can please explain this to me: Although registration is not required in Illinois, how does the state know that I am homeschooling my child or how does he graduate from each grade and so on? Do I just start teaching him since I want to develop my own curriculem? Where do I find the state mandated courses?

Answer 1

HI Homeschooler-to-be.

I have been homeschooling for almost 3 years now.  Although I am in Canada, I feel that I may be able to help you somewhat.

First, with registering.  We have the option to register here, just as a thing we can do or not because it isn't like someone is going to knock on your door and ask why your kid isn't in school today...but, having said that, it can happen with the wrong neighbours... :-(  

Second, your curriculum.  You can design your curriculum, we do here, I can't see the rules being any different.

Third, the movement from one grade to the next.  When a child is in school they have tests, these are to be an indication to the parent (more than the teacher) where the child is at.  The teacher already should have a good idea where 'Little Johnny' is in spelling without giving him a test today.  The parent, however, may not see as much because they aren't in the class and may not work with the child so close that they are always aware of the level the child is working comfortably at.  Same thing with report cards, they are for the parent, not the teacher.  SO, what that means is, you will KNOW when your child is ready to advance from one grade to another.

Fourth:  Your son is only going into pre-school.  He isn't entering high school, so there are things that can be kept extremely simple.  He needs to learn colours, shapes, numbers, letters, opposites, etc.  Basic stuff.  You have probably already taught him.  When he is ready to add those numbers together, you will know and move him gradually up to his next level of learning.  When he is ready to combine those individual letters to make small words then you will also know and move him accordingly.

Something that a lot of non-homeschooling parents don't realize (believe it or not, even the ones that tend to frown on homeschooling) is that they themselves have been homeschooling their children from the first day they brought them home from the hosptial.  You see, a lot of parents teach their children to speak their first language, use the washroom, toilet, bathe, etc., they teach them to eat in a mannerly way, teach them the 'magic words'...please and thank you...parents ARE the first teachers that children have.  So, even when you encounter a negative parent out there, and you undoubtably will at some point, you can kindly remark to them, that they homeschool their own children everyday too, and that part of their education is to send them to a school, but they still come home at the end of the day and have plenty of home learning to do.  The lessons just deepen. (boundaries, 'my stuff', etc.)

THE BEAUTY of homeschooling is, that you can tailor the custom fit for each child you home educate yourself.  You can give "Little Suzie" advanced reading and keep her back in math if you need to, and "Little Joey" loves science and hates spelling, so, you work on integration of the two so that he doesn't realize that he learning one thing, because he loves the other so much.  No, it isn't 'sneaky' the subjects cross over/and over again many times.  We live in a society where all of our learning is language based.  That is the way it is.  We can't study history, geography or science very well until we can read.  

Homeschooling is great.  My son attended school both private (Christian) and public. Neither were the fit that he needed.  In fact, he recently tried the private school for the first time, it wasn't what he needed educationally, according to the principal and it was only fulfilling a social place for my son.  So, he is homeschooled again, as of the last 3 weeks.

(He was only in the private school for about 7 weeks or so, which included the Christmas holiday).

One important thing is finding a group to support you.  Look around for other homeschooling families...groups usually exist.  There are online supports, and magazines as well.

I have a hard time with lack of family support (actually, they are so opposed they have no problems telling me (and my son) that I am ruining his life.  

Here is what I have learned though:  Pour all of my energy into homeschooling versus defending my decision to homeschool.  The people that condemn/judge me for homeschooling will then see the fruits of my labor instead of me attempting to have a repetitive arguement with them, trying to show 'what the end result can be.' (Not a socially backward, illiterate adult with a functioning IQ of an earthworm).

Where to find curriculum?  Stores, fairs, shows, etc. online bookstores (like mine) and there are many places to buy things to compliment your curriculum.

Thing to remember in the pre-school to grade 1 years...keep it simple...they will move along pretty much like they have been from learning to walk, talk, eat, etc... just different subjects now.

There is also a group called HSLDA check them out.  It is worth your time to know they at least exist if you ever need them.  http://www.hslda.org/

You may even find other answers on that site specific to the USA.

Support group..find one...stay connected.

Best of everything in your future endevours,

Tracy

Answer 2

The state does not need to know. You are not required to use a grade system. You'll know if he is learning. I recommend a series of books called, "What your ____ Grader Should Know".  If the state has educational requirements they will be posted on the state's official website.

Answer 3

I'm in IL, too.  I've been here for two years and also HS'ed for three years in another state.

Here is all you need to know about HS'ing in IL:

http://www.illinoishouse.org/

The state does not need to know you're HS'ing.  Your homeschool is a private school.  If you sent your DS to private school, the state would not know that either.  Even if you did want to register him, when he's preschool age, he's not even the mandatory reporting age anyway (unless our Gov. B decides on mandatory preschool).

You "graduate" your son from year to year.  You do it based on your curriculum (if you use one).

There are no state-mandated courses.  If you want to follow the state's scope and sequence or standards, go here:

http://www.isbe.net/ils/

Here is ISBE's page on HS'ing:

http://www.isbe.net/HomeSchool/default.h...

HTH!

Answer 4

Here are your state's laws:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Basically, there is no notification, no reporting and no record keeping, which means you choose the program you want use and teach your child.  Here is some information on homeschooling methods, along with some popular curriculum providers:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

If you already know how you want to teach him, just go ahead and begin.  You do not need any interaction with the state.  Some people choose to join organizations such as http://www.hslda.org in case they run into any difficulties.  The compulsory school age in Illinois is 7, so you would probably not even need to consider joining until then.

In our family, I give the children a grade level that corresponds to their age - for example, my 7 year old is in 1st grade for Sunday school purposes.  Other than that, grade levels are meaningless.  Your son can move through your chosen curriculum at his own pace.  He might be two levels ahead in one area, and one level behind in another.  Grade levels designations tell little about a student's ability, and are pretty unimportant.

Here is some information on homeschooling preschool that may help you:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

You're really going to enjoy homeschooling.  Best wishes!

Answer 5

HS Mom gave a good answer, and this website should answer some of your other questions:

http://www.hslda.org/laws/analysis/Illin...

That website provides a list of the "required" courses, but no one will ever check up on you to see if they're actually being taught.  You can start teaching him whatever you want, whenever you want.

You should try to join a local homeschool group - they can answer a lot of your questions.

You should probably also notify your truancy officer of your decision to homeschool before your child reaches age 7.  That way, if he is out during the day as an older child, he won't get in trouble with the law.

Good luck!