Homeschooling in Illinois

Compulsory attendance begins at age six on or before September 1 until age seventeen, subject to statutory exceptions.

Instruction must be in English and correspond to the child's age and grade. ISBE identifies six required subject areas: language arts, mathematics, biological and physical science, social science, fine arts, and physical development/health.

Parents must provide an education that is at least equivalent to the public-school standard under the Levisen framework. A provider's focus on a few projects or electives does not fulfill the family's complete program.

There is no mandatory statewide homeschool registration, and ISBE no longer collects homeschool forms. Regional notification forms are voluntary, but parents are advised to notify the current school in writing of withdrawal and retain copies.

ISBE's October 2017 legal FAQ states there are no set private-school minimum days or hours, but the text notes this is dated guidance that must be checked against current law.

There is no statewide homeschool standardized-testing requirement, and baseline test results are not routinely submitted. Parents may assess voluntarily.

Parents are practically advised to keep curriculum outlines, an instructional calendar, work samples, progress assessments, withdrawal correspondence, and high-school transcripts. These records are not asserted as a statewide annual portfolio filing.