I'm in Illinois and wondering if I can homeschool a friend's child. I know laws vary

[urban_mom]

state to state, but does anyone know? Would I have to call it a private school if I charged her money? Would that take some major thing?

[Ohio12]

I would advise not.

[urban_mom]

I would advise not.


We're hard up around here!

[Ohio12]

No complaining until you step into your masterbathroom and your foot goes through to the kitchen below.

[urban_mom]

No complaining until you step into your masterbathroom and your foot goes through to the kitchen below.


his b-day. Decided to look at the desk post and then I started thinking about if I would homeschool Annabel or not...we got the rejection letters from the Montessori school we both applied to, so the pressure is on.

I think if I tell her that it will be a Christian school, she might run though...

[strider]

No complaining until you step into your masterbathroom and your foot goes through to the kitchen below.

Sort of. It was the kitchen floor--my foot went into the basement. We'd been in the house a couple days. We knew it was a fixer-upper. I was, however, incensed at the former owner, who had positioned the refrigerator to hide the floor issue.

I have no idea if it's legal to homeschool someone else's kid in Illinois although I think it is fine. A neighbor of mine homeschooled a teen she knew for several years--this neighbor is a stickler for the rules. I cannot imagine her doing something illegal or not making sure to have all her i's dotted or t's crossed.

You might check the HSLDA website to confirm.

[OnTheBrink]

In Illinois you are a private school. I think you can home school one additional family outside your own. I can't remember where I go that info, though.

[Midwest Momma]

"In Illinois all homeschoolers operate as private schools. As such, there is not a constraint as to who may actually do the education. As long as there is an agreement between the two families, there is no legal prohibition on homeschooling another person's child."

[Jean in Newcastle]

Well, there you go then! I would sit down a write out a list of things to agree on if you are going to do this.

What happens if her child is sick? Do you have to hold your child(ren) back until the child joins you? Would she expect you to do "sick child" care?

What happens if your children are sick? Or you yourself?

How much would she pay you? At what increments would she pay you? Monthly? Quarterly? Would she pay you in advance? (I used to tutor and it was amazing how quickly people would get behind in their payments).

What about discipline? Is there the equivalent of "going to the principal's office" that you could agree on?

What exactly would you be expected to cover in your school year? Subjects? Books? Who pays for the books? Pens, pencils, paper, art supplies, copies of stuff?

Field trips? Do you need something like a "permission slip?" (I think those are really in case something happens like an injury etc. so that you can get the child immediate care).

What if (heaven forbid) something were to happen to cut your school year short or to not allow you to finish? (A major injury, death in the family etc.)

None of these things need be problems as such. They just need to be discussed ad nauseum before you agree to do something - partly to head off problems before they could even start and partly to protect you and your friend. A big institution always has contingency plans and can hire a sub at a moments notice. You need to talk and plan for the unlikely simply because you aren't a big institution.