Comprehensive Educational Services: Home Schooling Informational Bulletin

Section 26-1 of the Illinois School Code mandates that whoever has custody or control of any child between 7 and 17 years of age shall cause such child to attend the public schools, except as provided in Section 10-19.1; which provides that the child attend a private or parochial school where branches of education are 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. In this regard, the Illinois Supreme Court rules in People vs. Levinsen, 404Ill. 574, 90NE2nd 213 (1950) that the term “private school” in this context includes home schools if the teacher is competent, the required subjects are taught and the student receives an education at least equivalent to public schooling. Therefore, the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that home schooling is a permissible alternative to the public school system. In this context, the Illinois General Assembly and the Illinois State Board of Education have NOT established any specific regulations regarding home schooling of children. Registration both with ISBE and West 40 is voluntary. The Intermediate Service Centers ask that you fill out the registration form and deliver it to the following address:

Ms. Kay Poyner Brown, Executive Director West 40 ISC#2 - Region 6
Attn: Richard Erdman, Comprehensive Educational Services Director
2701 West Washington Blvd
Bellwood, IL 60104

You must also WITHDRAW your child from the public school.

As a private school it is your responsibility to find the material you will teach your child, do all teaching and testing, keep all attendance records and academic grades. There is no connection with a public school and your child will not receive a diploma from a public school. Some school districts may loan or rent textbooks from your child’s grade, but they are under no obligation to do this. If you decide to re-enroll your child in the public school the public school will have the right to test your child and place him/her at the appropriate grade level. Public Schools do not have to place your child in the grade suggested by the home school. Your child is eligible to attend public school on a part time basis if there is a class or classes you cannot teach at home. The public school may refuse to admit the child if they are not notified of your intent to enroll him/her in the public school on as part time basis by May 1st of the preceding school year

 RDE/rde
10/07/2010