Questions You May Have On Illinois Home Schooling

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Questions you may have on Illinois Home Schooling
1. What authorization is required to make a home school legal in Illinois?
The Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/26-1 et seq.) states that children between the ages of 7 and
17 must attend public school; however, an exception is made for “…..any child attending a
private or parochial school where children are taught the branches of education taught to
children of corresponding age and grade in the public schools, and where the instruction of
the child in the branches of education is in the English language.” Based on this law, the
Illinois Supreme Court held in 1950 that the phrase “private school” included home-schooling if
the teacher (either the parent her or himself or a private tutor) were competent, the required
subjects were taught, and the student received an education at least equivalent to public
schooling. (People v. Levisen, 404 Ill. 574 (1950)).
2. What subjects must be covered in my home school?
Language arts;
Mathematics;
Biological and physical sciences;
Social sciences;
Fine arts; and
Physical development and health.
3. How much time must the student spend on home-schooling?
Illinois law does not set any minimum number of hours per day, or days of instruction per year,
for students in private schools. However, the Illinois courts have ruled that home-schooling must
provide an education that is equivalent with the standards set for public schools. (e.g. Scoma v.
Chicago Board of Education, 391 F.Supp. 452 (N.D. Ill. 1974)).
4. Am I required to register my home school?
No. In Illinois, registration of home-schooled students is not required. Parents may choose to
notify their regional superintendent of education and/or the State Board of their intention to
home-school. Here is a link to the one-page form:
A directory of Regional Offices of Education may be found at:
5. Are there any testing requirements for students enrolled in an Illinois home school?
There is no requirement that students in a home school be tested. If parents choose to administer
tests to their children to assess their progress, they are not required to submit the results to any
school official.

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