Since I took some time to pull together links (and I’ve been neglecting this blog), I want to share what I put on an IL homeschool list.  The discussion began in response to the Obama administration calls for more seat time in the schools.  The inevitable question was how it pertains to homeschoolers.  I have a lot of thoughts and research on that bureaucratic web. They’re categorized in the sidebars to the right. 

But specifically and in regards to direct "homeschool issue" interventions by Obama people, I’ve addressed this before again and again… [Obama, Arne Duncan and Chicago Public School Policy on Homeschooling].   It bears some repeating.  Until it gets fixed.  I embedded some links here.

Hi Folks,

This is an interesting discussion.  Since this is a homeschool list and specific details would be helpful, I have some information to share.

Arne Duncan was the CEO of Chicago Public Schools before being appointed to the federal Dept of Education Cabinet post. Before he left Chicago, he signed off on one of the most oppressive homeschool over-compliance demands I’ve seen in Illinois. (The CPS General Counsel Patrick Rocks also signed off on this document.) Unfortunately, it’s still around.

It’s laid out in this blog post: Chicago Public Schools-Homeschool citations

This pdf contains the 2005 revisions to the CPS "Policy on Home-Schooling". I’ve included some excerpts:

"Parents/Legal Guardians who choose to educate their children at home should notify their local school of their intention to home school."

Unless public school kids are transferring out of the public school, there are no notification or registration requirements in IL statutes. The statement above is incorrect. The local school does not need to be notified, unless the child is transferring out of public school.  Again, from the Chicago Public School website:

"Annually, parents/legal guardians should complete the "Statement of Assurance for Parent-Taught Home Instruction" form, which is available from the Office of Instruction and School Management and the Office of High School Programs, and attach a statement indicating the manner in which the child will be instructed at home. These documents are to be forwarded to the Office of instruction and School Management for elementary grade students or the Office of High School Programs for high school grade student."

The demands in the Statement of Assurance are mind boggling.

"That the instructional services will be provided by the following instructor(s). (Continue list on an attached sheet if necessary.) That the course materials which will be used are: (Continue list on an attached sheet if necessary.)"

One of the joys of homeschooling is not dealing with this rigamarole from the school system. They are demanding these forms annually.

Here’s more in CPS Programs > Academic and enrichment > Homeschooling

I know many have the hope that President Obama is homeschool-friendly. Duncan and President Obama might appreciate parents being that involved with their children, and they might also think that homeschoolers should be overseen by ‘experts’. Many in the community assume the state of IL is involved with our homeschooling somehow and are shocked that they’re not. Not having the state involved with our homeschooling life is a good thing. I haven’t seen historical evidence that the current administration finds that a good thing.

I like to look at the facts and the history. Some of it is displayed in the CPS documents and links above.

Duncan (and Rocks, in particular) do know their business. Even if their business isn’t about homeschooling, but rather about public schools.

I’d surely love to see the ‘powers that be’ in Chicago get rid of that oppressive language and demands in the third largest school district in the nation. It’s certainly not doing the rest of the homeschooling community any favors.

best to all, Susan Ryan

Corn and Oil

Illinois Homeschool Freedom Watch

What do Illinois Education Lawyers do?

Chicago Schools Opens Its First Virtual Elementary School
By Patricia Hawke Sep 13, 2006

State board members and proponents argued that the charter school laws were enacted in the 1990s, before lawmakers could have anticipated the growth of technology that makes a virtual school possible. Chicago schools General Counsel Patrick Rocks told the board that the restrictions on home-based charter schools were from concerns that home schools would attempt to reposition themselves as charter schools in order to secure public funding.

Charter schools are part of the Chicago schools system and are given more flexibility in staffing, curriculum and other areas — similar in theory to home schools. They receive public funding per student, causing the lawmakers concern over a possible redefinition of home schools. Rocks presented board members with letters from several of the lawmakers who enacted the law that stated their intent was not to block Internet-based schooling.