February 29, 2008
Family Told to ‘Prove’ they Homeschool
A member family in Macon County, Illinois, started homeschooling in January of 2008. Later that month, the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education (ROE) told the family that they had been informed that education was not occurring in the home. The ROE then told the family that they had to provide the district with (1) proof that instruction commensurate with the public school is being provided, (2) documentation of subjects taught, (3) an annual calendar and daily schedule, and (4) proof that the child’s level of academic achievement is comparable to that of the child’s peers.
This, however, is not at all what Illinois law requires. Illinois requires that instruction be in the English language and that the same “branches of education taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public school” are taught. The family was providing a quality education and completely complying with state law.
HSLDA Attorney Chris Klicka sent a letter to Macon-Piatt ROE and informed them that the family was homeschooling in compliance with state law and that they would not provide the required documentation. Since then, the family has been able to continue their homeschool program without hassle.
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