Please Support Homeschoolers by Opposing HB2827!

The Issue

Dear Governor Pritzker and Members of the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate:

We ask that you oppose any efforts to further legislative consideration of HB2827, which seeks to establish the Homeschool Act in Illinois. (You can access the full-text version here.)

Previous efforts to regulate homeschooling in Illinois have historically failed to gain traction, and you can be rest assured that parent/guardian advocacy for homeschoolers has only intensified with the passage of time.

Per its supporters, HB2827 is designed to enhance accountability, prevent abuse from going unnoticed, and ensure the educational success of all Illinois students. While these are noble goals, the structure of HB2827 will not result in their accomplishment so much as:

A misdirection of already strained state resources
Distracting legal and logistical challenges
Potential infringement on the rights of both parents/guardians and students
Questions related to the obvious ambiguity of the bill, especially in the context of administrative and reporting requirements
Evidence that legislators fail to understand 1) why many of their constituents opt(ed) to homeschool in the first place; 2) the diverse and remarkable ways in which parents/guardians who homeschool create a successful learning experience for their children; 3) and, more fundamentally, the blatant irony of the state's failure to consistently apply the same rigorous standards of accountability and oversight within public-school systems

We all need to work together to ensure that our children are safe from abuse, never slip through the cracks, and are allowed to benefit from the educational opportunities that will serve them best. While parents and guardians would welcome further discussion of how the state can support homeschooled students and their families, HB2827 is anything but an effective jumping-off point for such a conversation. Moreover, it will only gain mounting opposition from those directly affected, as well as from anyone who grasps the implications of the aforementioned bullet points.

Thank you in advance for demonstrating your commitment to the children of Illinois by opposing HB2827.

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Text of HB2827/Tracking

The link to the full text of the bill can be found here.
An abbreviated version of the bill, as well as status updates about its progression through the House can be found here.

Other Petitions Related to This Issue

Groups/Organizations That Follow Legal Issues Related to Homeschooling in Illinois

Legislative Process

How a Bill Becomes a Law in Illinois

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A NOTE REGARDING DONATIONS: Please note that donations to Change.org go to promoting this petition on the Change platform. Another option is to donate to the Ad Hoc Committee for Illinois Home Education Legal and Legislative Matters, which is actively working to advocate on behalf of homeschools across Illinois.

While not everyone has the same approach to advocacy, please be respectful and do your research ahead of time in order to achieve the most meaningful outcome.

Katie MarsicoPetition Starter

Media inquiries

3,146

The Issue

Dear Governor Pritzker and Members of the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate:

We ask that you oppose any efforts to further legislative consideration of HB2827, which seeks to establish the Homeschool Act in Illinois. (You can access the full-text version here.)

A misdirection of already strained state resources
Distracting legal and logistical challenges
Potential infringement on the rights of both parents/guardians and students
Questions related to the obvious ambiguity of the bill, especially in the context of administrative and reporting requirements
Evidence that legislators fail to understand 1) why many of their constituents opt(ed) to homeschool in the first place; 2) the diverse and remarkable ways in which parents/guardians who homeschool create a successful learning experience for their children; 3) and, more fundamentally, the blatant irony of the state's failure to consistently apply the same rigorous standards of accountability and oversight within public-school systems

Thank you in advance for demonstrating your commitment to the children of Illinois by opposing HB2827.

******

Text of HB2827/Tracking

The link to the full text of the bill can be found here.
An abbreviated version of the bill, as well as status updates about its progression through the House can be found here.

Other Petitions Related to This Issue

Groups/Organizations That Follow Legal Issues Related to Homeschooling in Illinois

Legislative Process

How a Bill Becomes a Law in Illinois

******

While not everyone has the same approach to advocacy, please be respectful and do your research ahead of time in order to achieve the most meaningful outcome.

Katie MarsicoPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Support now

3,146

The Decision Makers

Illinois House of Representatives,

96 Members

1 Responded

Michelle Mussman

Illinois House of Representatives - District 56

“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”

Ann Williams

Illinois House of Representatives - District 11

Blaine Wilhour

Illinois House of Representatives - District 110

Michelle Mussman

Illinois House of Representatives - District 56

Ann Williams

Illinois House of Representatives - District 11

Blaine Wilhour

Illinois House of Representatives - District 110