Wisconsin
DPI Questions & Answers
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction sent out a document entitled Questions and DPI Responses Relating to Home-Based Private Educational Programs to many home schoolers in the state. Much of the information in the document was accurate, but many of the answers were incorrect.
The paragraph raising the most concerns indicated that home schoolers must attend school regularly during the full period and hours . . . that the public or private school in which the child should be enrolled is in session. . . . However, Wisconsin Statute 118.15(1)(a) was only partially quoted in this answer. The beginning of that paragraph in the statute states, “Except as provided under pars. (b) to (d) and sub. (4) . . . .” Home schoolers are therefore exempted from having to attend school the same hours as public school students, because “sub. (4)” refers to home schools.
Home School Legal Defense Association wrote to the Wisconsin DPI about this and other concerns we had about the Q&A document, but as of this writing we have not received a response. But home schoolers across Wisconsin can be assured that they are not required by statute to educate their children the same hours as the public schools. – Scott A. Woodruff
