Comprehensive Educational Services: Home Schooling

Dear Parent/Care-giver:

The purpose of this letter is to provide a follow-up to your recent inquiry in regard to home schooling.

With this letter you will find the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) form to register as a HOME SCHOOL and some suggestions from the ISBE on home schooling. Also enclosed is a position paper prepared by the legal department of the ISBE concerning the legality of home schooling and that further explains the role of the Intermediate Service Center. Registration both with ISBE and West 40 is voluntary. When a child is not attending school and the non-attendance of the child is reported to the Intermediate Service Center, the truant officer may initiate a truancy investigation. In order to avoid a truancy investigation and any possibility of court action we ask that you fill out the attached statement of assurance. Please remember that you, as the parent/care-giver are responsible for researching home schooling, acquiring the curriculum and study materials, testing and keeping all school records for your child. The following website contains useful information http://www.isbe.state.il.us/homeschool/default.htm

Although not required, your local school district MAY assist in providing curriculum and study materials. They may charge a fee for this service and the rental of textbooks. Home-schooled children are eligible for enrollment as part-time students in the public school district in which they live. In such cases the home-schooled child could be enrolled in for instruction in a particular class or classes. The school district must be notified by May 1st of the prior school year. If the school is notified after May 1st it is up to the district to determine if they currently have room for the student in that class.

PLEASE RETURN THE REGISTRATION FORM TO THE ADDRESS ON THE TOP OF THE FORM.
If you have any questions you may contact Mr. Richard Erdman, Comprehensive Educational Services Director, at (708) 544-4890.

Sincerely,

Kay Poyner Brown

Kay Poyner Brown, Executive Director
RDE/rde

registration form

Send form to the following address:
Illinois State Board of Education
Data Analysis and Progress Reporting
100 North First Street, S-284
Springfield, Illinois 62777-0001
Telephone: 217-782-3950
Fax: 217-524-7784

download: ISBE Registration Form

download: Home Schooling FAQ