Decision Maker Response
Michelle Mussman’s response
Michelle Mussman
Illinois House of Representatives - District 5611 Feb 2025
Thank you for reaching out about your concerns regarding proposed changes to Homeschooling in IL. I appreciate that considering any sort of change, no matter how small, can be alarming.
I would simply like to try to dispel some of the misinformation that is circulating about the proposal.
The landscape around homeschooling has changed significantly in recent years. It is now the fastest growing form of education in the US. Since the pandemic numerous children have left both the Public and Private school system. Illinois, like many states, is also facing an alarming rise in truant students. Illinois already has Compulsory Attendance laws for children between the ages of 6 and 17, but with no way to track which students are being homeschooled, or are in unidentifiable private schools, it is increasingly difficult to determine which students are truant, and in need of help addressing the reasons they are missing critical school days, which are being homeschooled, and which might not be receiving any schooling at all.
First, this proposal indicates that parents should submit a declaration form to their local school district each year indicating which children in their care are being homeschooled. If there is ever a question of truancy, the ROE will first look to see that there is a form on file indicating that homeschool is this family's school of choice to meet already existing Compulsory Attendance laws. (Thirty-nine states require the parent or guardian to send notice of homeschooling either to the state or local school district. We are currently an outlier in this regard.)
Second, the parent in charge of educating is then asked to maintain a portfolio that provides evidence of an education in the subjects already mandated by state law for homeschoolers: Language arts • Mathematics • Biological and physical science • Social science (social studies) • Fine arts • Physical development and health. This had been recommended best practice, but is now formalized, so that if there is again a question of truancy, that no education is in fact taking place, with or without the declaration form being filed, the parent now has proof of education.
The portfolio is to be available upon request, during a truancy investigation, otherwise the state is NOT making any further intrusion into the curriculum, assessments, graduation requirements, etc, chosen by the family, or looking at the portfolio. If there is no proof of education, other already existing provisions regarding truancy would go into effect.
Those are the two changes that would be experienced by homeschool families. The state will now have these added tools to help us identify children that may not be meeting existing compulsory attendance laws and also have access to minimal proof that an education is occuring for students being schooled in their homes, as is required by existing law.
As per the question of homeschooling being considered a private school, ALL private schools would have to register with the state, under this proposal, in order to create parity. If a parent says their child attends XYZ school, the state would be able to verify that it is a school and that that child is registered as a student there.
This proposal does also state that it is the expectation of Illinois that the homeschool administrator and teachers at private schools should hold a High School diploma, or its equivalent. Because many homeschool parents may have been homeschooled themselves, and may not have a conventional document, you will note, there is no mechanism for enforcement. We know that very many homeschool parents are highly educated, but the range of skills is quite broad. We do want to set the bar high though and affirm that Illinois feels it is reasonable that a person not be educating children at higher class levels than what they themselves have been taught in.
There is no vaccine requirement unless families CHOOSE to participate in regularly organized public school offerings, which are still determined by local control or the IHSA when considering sport programs. Then you are required to submit proof of vaccination or a religious exemption, to create parity with the students also in the program.
I hope you have found this information helpful. Thank you again for reaching out about this important topic.
Wish you well,
Michelle
~~
Michelle Mussman
State Representative 56th District
I would simply like to try to dispel some of the misinformation that is circulating about the proposal.
The landscape around homeschooling has changed significantly in recent years. It is now the fastest growing form of education in the US. Since the pandemic numerous children have left both the Public and Private school system. Illinois, like many states, is also facing an alarming rise in truant students. Illinois already has Compulsory Attendance laws for children between the ages of 6 and 17, but with no way to track which students are being homeschooled, or are in unidentifiable private schools, it is increasingly difficult to determine which students are truant, and in need of help addressing the reasons they are missing critical school days, which are being homeschooled, and which might not be receiving any schooling at all.
First, this proposal indicates that parents should submit a declaration form to their local school district each year indicating which children in their care are being homeschooled. If there is ever a question of truancy, the ROE will first look to see that there is a form on file indicating that homeschool is this family's school of choice to meet already existing Compulsory Attendance laws. (Thirty-nine states require the parent or guardian to send notice of homeschooling either to the state or local school district. We are currently an outlier in this regard.)
Second, the parent in charge of educating is then asked to maintain a portfolio that provides evidence of an education in the subjects already mandated by state law for homeschoolers: Language arts • Mathematics • Biological and physical science • Social science (social studies) • Fine arts • Physical development and health. This had been recommended best practice, but is now formalized, so that if there is again a question of truancy, that no education is in fact taking place, with or without the declaration form being filed, the parent now has proof of education.
The portfolio is to be available upon request, during a truancy investigation, otherwise the state is NOT making any further intrusion into the curriculum, assessments, graduation requirements, etc, chosen by the family, or looking at the portfolio. If there is no proof of education, other already existing provisions regarding truancy would go into effect.
Those are the two changes that would be experienced by homeschool families. The state will now have these added tools to help us identify children that may not be meeting existing compulsory attendance laws and also have access to minimal proof that an education is occuring for students being schooled in their homes, as is required by existing law.
As per the question of homeschooling being considered a private school, ALL private schools would have to register with the state, under this proposal, in order to create parity. If a parent says their child attends XYZ school, the state would be able to verify that it is a school and that that child is registered as a student there.
This proposal does also state that it is the expectation of Illinois that the homeschool administrator and teachers at private schools should hold a High School diploma, or its equivalent. Because many homeschool parents may have been homeschooled themselves, and may not have a conventional document, you will note, there is no mechanism for enforcement. We know that very many homeschool parents are highly educated, but the range of skills is quite broad. We do want to set the bar high though and affirm that Illinois feels it is reasonable that a person not be educating children at higher class levels than what they themselves have been taught in.
There is no vaccine requirement unless families CHOOSE to participate in regularly organized public school offerings, which are still determined by local control or the IHSA when considering sport programs. Then you are required to submit proof of vaccination or a religious exemption, to create parity with the students also in the program.
I hope you have found this information helpful. Thank you again for reaching out about this important topic.
Wish you well,
Michelle
~~
Michelle Mussman
State Representative 56th District
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