Illinois House Bill 2827 Proposes New Regulations for Homeschooling

State Representative Terra Costa Howard introduced House Bill 2827 (HB 2827), a new legislative proposal that aims to establish the “Homeschool Act”— which are specific regulations for homeschooling families in Illinois.

Key Provisions of HB 2827:

Annual Declaration: Homeschooling parents would be required to submit a “Homeschool Declaration Form” annually to their local school district. This form would include detailed information about the child, such as name, birth date, grade level, and contact information.

Educational Portfolio: The bill permits local school officials to request an “educational portfolio” from homeschooling families at any time. This portfolio should demonstrate that the homeschool program meets educational standards comparable to public schools.

Instructor Qualifications: Parents or guardians providing homeschool instruction must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.

State Board Authority: The Illinois State Board of Education would have the authority to adopt additional rules necessary to implement and administer the Act.

Reactions and Implications:

Supporters of the bill argue that these measures are in the best interests of children to ensure they receive a safe and sufficient education.

Opponents, including homeschooling advocacy groups, express concerns that the bill imposes excessive government oversight and infringes on parental rights. They argue that the bill’s requirements could lead to increased regulation of homeschooling in the future.

As of March 6, more than 2,000 parents and students rallied at the state Capitol for “Cherry Pie Day,” organized by Illinois Christian Home Educators, to oppose HB 2827 and advocate for homeschooling freedoms.

Next Steps:

HB 2827 has been assigned to the House Education Policy Committee, with a hearing scheduled for March 12 at 8 a.m.

Homeschooling families and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the legislative process by submitting witness slips or contacting their state representatives to express their views on the proposed bill.