Illinois Homeschool Act Sparks Heated Debate, Advances in State Legislature
A contentious bill, dubbed the "Homeschool Act" (HB2827), has ignited a firestorm of protest among homeschooling families in Illinois. On Wednesday, the bill cleared the Education Policy Committee hurdle with an 8-4 vote, setting the stage for a potential showdown on the state House floor next week. If approved by the House, the legislation will then move to the full House for a vote, followed by consideration in the Senate, and finally, a possible rendezvous with Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk for final approval.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a framework of requirements for parents choosing to educate their children at home. Failure to adhere to these stipulations could result in a Class C misdemeanor charge, carrying a potential penalty of up to 30 days in jail.
The prospect of increased regulation has galvanized the homeschooling community. Hundreds of parents and their children descended upon the Illinois state Capitol building in Springfield on Wednesday, voicing their vehement opposition to what they perceive as governmental overreach and an infringement upon parental rights.
Will Estrada, senior counsel for the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, minced no words in his critique of the bill. He emphasized the broad and ambiguous language contained within the legislation, arguing it grants undue power to unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats to dictate the specifics of homeschooling regulations. Estrada warned of the potential for future expansions of the law, leading to even more stringent restrictions on both homeschooling and private school families. He pointed to the consistent academic, social, and emotional success of homeschooled children, questioning the rationale behind imposing new regulations on a system that has demonstrably proven effective.
"This bill is a solution in search of a problem," Estrada declared after testifying at Wednesday’s hearing, echoing the sentiment resonating throughout the homeschooling community.
Michelle Langworthy, a homeschooling mother who participated in the protest, expressed her dismay at the government’s renewed focus on homeschooling. She emphasized that her family’s decision to embrace homeschooling in 2020 was a direct response to perceived government overreach, and she feels that the current bill represents a further assault on parental rights.
Langworthy highlighted specific provisions within the bill that she found particularly alarming. One such provision, she claimed, would grant the school system the authority to determine the destination of a child’s records, effectively stripping parents of their right to control their child’s educational information. She also objected to the bill’s assertion that students should be educated to "serve the state," arguing that this principle clashes with her family’s values and priorities.
"I don’t align with the state. I don’t want what the state prioritizes to be the priority of my family. We have a different value system. We are not ownership of the state," Langworthy asserted, underscoring her belief in the autonomy of families to determine their own educational paths.
Langworthy defended the academic performance and community involvement of homeschooled children, while also drawing attention to ongoing concerns about sexual abuse and harassment within the Chicago Public Schools system. She emphatically stated that the state has no right to interfere with the success and well-being of homeschooling families.
Another homeschooling parent, Luke Schurter, echoed the concerns of overreach, telling Fox News that the bill represents "taking a step back for homeschool freedom, not a step forward."
Schurter emphasized the desire of homeschooling parents to maintain control over the content and methods of their children’s education. He fears that the bill opens the door to increased state intervention, potentially leading to mandates on curriculum and instructional time.
"We want to choose what we teach our kids, how we raise our kids, how we instruct them, so we’re concerned that this is cracking that door open and then the next thing is going to be more requirements on ‘hey, we need to look and see, we need to dictate what the subjects you are teaching are, we need to dictate how much time you’re spending,’" Schurter explained. He fears a return to the oversight and authority of the public school system.
The core of the proposed legislation centers around the establishment of a "Homeschool Declaration Form" to be created by the State Board of Education. Homeschooling parents would be required to submit this form, effectively registering their child with the nearest public school. Failure to submit the form would result in the child being deemed truant, subject to the associated penalties.
Furthermore, the bill grants regional offices of education or school districts the authority to request an "education portfolio" from homeschooling parents. This portfolio would encompass a collection of the child’s records, including writing samples, workbooks, worksheets, and other curricular materials.
The purpose of the portfolio is to serve as evidence that the homeschool program provides a course of instruction that aligns with the educational requirements outlined in Sections 26-1 and 27-1 of the School Code, ensuring that the homeschool curriculum is "at least commensurate with the standards prescribed for public schools." Section 26-1 defines compulsory school age as between 7 and 17, unless the child has already graduated from high school. Section 27-1 aims to prevent discrimination based on sex within public school education.
The bill also addresses the participation of homeschooled children in public school activities. It would require homeschooling parents of children who participate in such activities, whether on or off school grounds, to provide proof of required immunizations and health examinations or a signed Certificate of Religious Exemption.
Governor Pritzker’s stance on the bill remains unclear. Fox News has repeatedly sought comment from his office regarding his support for the legislation and his potential plans to sign it into law if it reaches his desk. However, as of now, no response has been received. This silence leaves the fate of the Homeschool Act and the future of homeschooling regulation in Illinois hanging in the balance, intensifying the anxiety and uncertainty within the homeschooling community. The coming weeks promise to be a crucial period as the bill progresses through the legislative process and the voices of both supporters and opponents continue to shape the debate.
