Homeschooling in Illinois? Here’s your plan.

Under People v. Levisen, as ISBE describes it, a home school counts as private schooling if the teacher is competent, the required subjects are taught, and the student receives an education at least equivalent to public schooling. Instruction in the core subjects must be in English.

ISBE lists the "branches of education" you must teach: language arts; mathematics; biological and physical sciences; social sciences; fine arts; and physical development and health. Within that standard, ISBE says parents "are free to decide the manner, time and materials" that best suit their children, including curriculum, materials, and what records to keep. There is no state minimum for days or hours, and no teaching credential is specified.

Registration is voluntary. ISBE offers a Home Schooling Registration Form and encourages parents to complete it, but it is not required.

If your child is enrolled in a public school, ISBE highly recommends giving the school a dated letter saying you are withdrawing your child to home school, and keeping a copy. ISBE also suggests including the registration form and sending the same letter and form to your Regional Office of Education. Without notice, the school may mark your child absent and eventually refer the matter to a truancy officer.

Keep your own records. Illinois does not require recordkeeping, and ISBE says parents decide what records to keep. If you ever re-enroll your child, the public school decides grade placement and may test your child or ask for proof of the material covered. For high school students, being able to show credits earned matters.

If questions come up. The regional superintendent for your county investigates reports of noncompliance with the attendance law and may expect parents to show, when necessary, that their instruction is at least commensurate with public school standards. Keeping a clear record of what you teach makes that easy.

Grade placement on return. ISBE notes that a public school cannot require a home school to be "registered" or "recognized" through the State Board as a condition of grade placement, and placement decisions may not be unreasonable or arbitrary.

Public school services. Ask your local district about part-time attendance, special education services, and driver's education options for home-schooled students, and how to request them.

Umbrella programs are optional. Some families join umbrella or satellite programs for support with transcripts, testing, or community. This is a choice, not a requirement.