Questions You May Have On Illinois Home Schooling (Page 4 of 5) in pdf

(Illinois High School Association)

15. My home-schooled student is completing the equivalent of 8

grade. Is he entitled to receive

an 8

grade diploma from his local public school and/or take part in the graduation program?

No. Since your student is attending private school full-time he has no legal right to participate in

public school graduation ceremonies.

16. My student receives special education services at his public school. Will there be any change

in services if he withdraws to enter home-schooling? What changes might be expected?

This is a complex issue and will differ markedly from student to student. Therefore, statements

on this website should be taken as guidelines only.

In general, a student with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will not have the right to the

same range of services available through his public school if he chooses to withdraw to attend a

private school.

A portion of the funding public schools receive for special education services must be earmarked

for non-public schools, and public schools must provide timely and meaningful consultation

(TMC) to private schools concerning this funding allocation. The public schools are not required

to distribute these funds so that each eligible student receives an equal share. Depending on

several factors (including the student’s IEP; the categories of disabilities that can be covered by

the public school’s funding allocation; and the location of services to be offered), a student with

an IEP who chooses to withdraw from public school may not receive services as comprehensive

as those available to him while attending a public school full-time.

Parents of students with IEPs should also bear in mind that, due to a change in legislation

enacted in 2005, it is now the student’s district of attendance (not his district of residence) that

holds financial responsibility for that student.

Special Education Non-Public Proportionate Share Calculation and Home-Schooled

Students:

17. May a student in a private school who receives some special education services also attend a

public school on a part-time basis? If so, what services will the student receive?

The School Code does permit private school students who are eligible to receive special

education services to attend a public school on a part-time basis (see Section 14-6.01 of the

School Code). Students who are eligible to receive special education may attend public schools

in their districts of residence and receive services through an IEP offered by the district. In order

to qualify for an IEP, students must attend the public schools for a minimum of one instructional

subject.

Students who meet this requirement are eligible to receive IEP services to the extent they are

actually in attendance in the public school setting. However, parents should realize that the

Questions You May Have On Illinois Home Schooling Page 4