A new bill in Illinois, known as the Homeschool Act or House Bill 2827, is seeking to increase oversight on families who homeschool their children following concerns raised in an investigation by Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica. The bill would require families to inform their school districts when deciding to homeschool their children and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Education authorities could request evidence of teaching materials and student work if concerns arise about inadequate schooling.
These measures come after cases of children like L.J., who faced neglect and lack of education while being homeschooled, were brought to light. The bill aims to increase protection for homeschooled children and reduce truancy by enabling education officials to intervene when necessary. However, homeschool families and advocates are opposed, arguing that the bill infringes on parental rights and is unnecessary.
The Home School Legal Defense Association and the Illinois Homeschool Association plan to educate families on the bill and lobby against it. They are concerned about potential disruptions to teaching caused by increased oversight measures, such as portfolio reviews. The proposed law would also require all private schools to register with the state.
Supporters of the bill, including the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, emphasize the need for increased regulation to ensure child safety and address educational neglect. The measure includes the threat of misdemeanor charges for non-compliance. The bill has passed the Education Policy Committee, but faces opposition from homeschool families who believe it threatens their rights and privacy.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
