Frequently Asked Questions | Illinois Christian Home Educators

Is it legal to homeschool in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois law has recognized the validity of homeschooling since at least the 1960’s. Most states in the U.S. did not allow parents to home educate their own children even as recently as 20 – 30 years ago. Thanks to the work of HSLDA and many state organizations like ICHE across the county, homeschooling in some form is now legal in every state in our nation.

What are the legal requirements in Illinois?

Illinois law requires all children ages 6 – 17 to attend a public school, unless they attend a private school (which includes a homeschool) 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. For more details please see this article entitled Illinois Law on Homeschooling.

What are the advantages of homeschooling?

The list of advantages to homeschooling is lengthy but here a few:

We can teach our children the fear of the Lord as basic to all knowledge. The public school system has chosen to remove this most important aspect of learning from its curriculum: everything comes from God and needs to be viewed through the lens of redemptive history.
We can spend more time with our children. Simply put, we do not want to forfeit the privilege of actively participating on a daily basis in some of the most wonderful years of our children’s lives.
We can better transfer our values to the next generation. While quality of time can say, “I love you,” quantity of time says, “Here are my values; live them out; pass them onto my grandchildren.” There was a good reason God instructed parents to teach their children while sitting, walking, lying, and rising.
We can teach to our children’s unique gifts and passions. Our children are fearfully and wonderfully made as unique beings and we can teach toward that reality, giving more time and attention to the areas in which our children excel and have interests as given to them by their Creator.
We can teach our children the essentials of character development. While knowledge grows throughout life experiences, there is a small window when the development of our children’s definitions of ethics and character are most crucial. Nobody knows a child like his parents, so they can best address his needs in regards to character.
We have more unique opportunities because we tend to have flexibility. Since a schedule makes for a great servant, we have the freedom to take advantage of a beautiful day, a visit to a traveling museum exhibit, a special one day play, a chance to serve, etc.

What are the disadvantages of homeschooling?

Financial cost. There is an obvious financial sacrifice on several fronts. First, homeschoolers tend to be one-income families, thus a salary is forfeited–unless one, usually the mother, has some type of home business. Second, as taxpayers we not only have to buy our own materials, we also have to pay for those who use the public school system through taxation.
Cost of time and energy. Homeschooling, while being incredibly satisfying, is also hard work that demands discipline, organization, constancy to purpose, etc. We live in an age of self-focus and taking the path of least resistance is a temptation for all of us. Those who choose the upstream swim of home education find that in addition to the transfer of educational virtues to our children, God also works His holiness in us parents as well. In other words, what seems to be a short-term disadvantage is actually a long-term win-win.
It is counter cultural. Although homeschooling has gained greater acceptance in the last decade, it still represents less than 5% of school-aged children in America; therefore, there are many misconceptions and misunderstandings about what home school actually is. Opponents often speak more out of prejudice than knowledge. Also, the homeschooling lifestyle itself may cause some non-homeschooling parents to feel insecure about how they raise their children or feel their own commitment to their children is somehow brought into question. While neither of these is ever intentional, they can elicit negative reaction.

Am I qualified?

God qualified you when He gave your child to you and not to another. Again, nobody knows your child as well as you do. Cultivating an atmosphere of love and encouragement with positive and healthy discipline will do as much for a child’s educational development as the best curriculum and highly trained teacher. While public school proponents seek to keep their monopoly on education, statistics clearly demonstrate there is practically no difference between homeschooled children whose parents hold college degrees when compared to those parents who never attended college.

How much does it cost to homeschool?

Homeschooling can be as expensive or inexpensive as you desire; there is a plethora of curriculum choices as well as models. Remember, just because a curriculum is expensive doesn’t mean it is right for you. Similarly, an inexpensive curriculum may fit perfectly with your family’s philosophy of education. Some families will pay a little more to have the security of a prepackaged curriculum, and that is fine. Others will prefer some autonomy, merging personal tastes, priorities, and creativity with limited curriculum. Many homeschooling parents find their local library to be a phenomenal resource that they are already funding. Used book sales and the Internet are other great sources for bargain hunters.

What about the socialization factor?

Many social commentators believe that homeschooled children are actually better socialized than the rank and file in the public school because they learn to engage people of all ages. Homeschoolers have the advantage of flexibility, and many are involved in church ministries, 4-H, political organizations, community groups, etc. Additionally, when most people speak of “socialization” they connote peer grouped, age segregation, which not only lacks Biblical precedent but has also spawned negative consequences in a wide variety of social and cultural settings. Children who learn to interact with adults and children of a variety of ages are learning the social skills they will need for the rest of their lives.

What about record keeping?

We are blessed in Illinois to have much freedom in regards to record keeping, especially when compared to other states. That being said, it is generally a good idea to keep a written record of what textbooks your children use each year along with the chapters covered; this does not need to be exhaustive in description. Furthermore, it is wise to keep a list of activities, field trips, special projects, civic involvement, etc. as this may provide unique opportunities in the future or may dispel major concerns of any family member, friend, or government agency should they become involved for any reason. When it comes to high school, more detailed transcripts will be necessary if you anticipate your child entering college, certain vocational schools, or the military. For detailed advice on high school transcripts, please contact ICHE or HSLDA.

Do I need to contact the public school when I begin homeschooling?

If you child has never been enrolled in the public school system, there is no need to contact the public school. If your child has attended public school, you need only send a well-written letter explaining your intentions to teach your child at home. (Sample letters can be found here.) You may also request their transcript in this letter or in a subsequent communication.

When do I start?

If you have children, you have already started! Home discipleship is not just about the “3 R’s” but is even more about character development and the ability to reflect the purposes of Christ in the world. It is every bit as important for you child to learn “deference” as it is “multiplication.”

How do I get started?

Instead of running out and buying curriculum, it’s a good idea to establish “Why” you want to homeschool as this will influence “How” you homeschool. A good place to start is to take a look at The ABC’s of Homeschooling.

How do I homeschool?

While entire books have been written on this subject, we need to seek the Lord for His guidance, knowing that the fear of the Lord gives knowledge and wisdom. After this, we can observe our children in order to see what approach fits them best. It is a wonderful time of adventure and learning for teacher and pupil alike. There is no way to do justice to a question like this in summary fashion. Please search the ICHE website for more practical help, and contact our office so we can connect you to other homeschool families in your area who will be happy to share their own experiences.

How do I know what curriculum to use?

You can start by talking to seasoned homeschoolers and reading various reviews on the Internet. That being said, it is usually a process of trial and error in finding what works best for your family; there is no reason to break the bank. While most focus is placed on what is enjoyable for the child, it may be every bit as important for the parents to feel confident in the curriculum as most children take their cues from their parents. You may purchase a box curriculum and send off your child’s work to be graded and transcripts recorded. You may purchase a box curriculum and buy the answer keys and grade your child’s work yourself. You may choose autonomy and mix and match curriculum according to your priorities and goals. A good resource is Rainbow Resources.

What does a typical homeschooling day look like?

Each homeschool day is as unique as each family. Many will follow “normal” school hours (9-3) while others start earlier in the morning and end by noon, leaving the afternoon for their children to follow personal interests (music, hobby, job, etc.) Still others school around work schedules, starting later in the afternoon and going throughout the evening. In addition to the common branches of learning, each family may have unique interests they wish to stress, and their day will reflect these priorities.

What if my child wants to learn something I don’t know about?

First, pray and ask God. There is a never ending stream of stories of God’s direct intervention in the homeschool experience, bringing unique opportunities for children to learn directly or indirectly from leaders in their field of interest. If God places an interest in your child’s heart, He will supply the needs as you seek Him first. Second, there are often individuals in support groups that either have unique knowledge themselves or know of someone who does. The more you connect, the wider your opportunities will tend to be. Third, the local library and Internet are other good sources for direction.

What about homeschooling through high school?

There is a mental barrier for some parents when it comes to homeschooling their child through high school, choosing to quit after Jr. High. Many are intimidated because they can’t speak a foreign language or they don’t know how to do Calculus. We need to remember that God has equipped our children to learn. Sadly, public school tends to stifle this gift rather than nourish it. At this age, most children will learn with only minor input from family. In addition, there is almost always someone in close proximity (church, neighborhood, support group member) that knows about the subject, which concerns you and is more than willing to help. Parents should show extreme caution in keeping their children innocent through their Jr. High years via homeschooling only to “throw them to the lions” when they are high school age.

What about college?

First, it is important to consider whether college is the best way to accomplish the goals you and your child have for the long term. Do not just default to an expensive college program, just because it seems like “the thing to do.” Many homeschoolers find alternatives like vocational schools, apprenticeships, trades and skilled labor, and entrepreneurism. If you believe college is the right choice for your child, then rest assured there are now hundreds of schools that not only welcome homeschoolers but also actively recruit them due to their abilities and attitudes. Admission requirements vary from school to school, but in addition to transcripts, some colleges put significant emphasis on portfolios of school work, letters of recommendation, SAT or ACT scores, as well as CLEP tests. ICHE discourages GED’s (and encourages parent-directed high school diplomas) as they may or may not be advantageous. Additionally, there are a growing number of alternatives to a brick and mortar school such as on-line college and distance learning, both of which are usually much cheaper, and students can live at home and work.

What if my spouse/extended family is not supportive?

There is no simple answer for this situation. It is, however, important for both parents to be on board, though each respective level of commitment to homeschooling may be different. If one or the other is adamantly opposed to home education, the interested party should exhibit great hesitancy to go on alone. Even when things are going well, homeschooling can be challenging. While extended family can definitely pose issues, if both the husband and wife are in complete agreement, these outside forces tend to serve to hone, define, and improve articulation of the home discipleship vision not detract from it.

How do I find other homeschoolers and home school groups in my area?