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How do I start homeschooling?

Posted on by whpa-webadmin

The first thing to do, when considering homeschooling, is to fully understand what you are committing to. Homeschooling in Wisconsin requires a parent/guardian to take full responsibility for their child’s education. As the administrator of your homeschool, you are agreeing to provide a program that meets these requirements:

Section 118.165(1) (a) The primary purpose of the program is to provide private or religious-based education. (b) The program is privately controlled. (c) The program provides at least 875 hours of instruction each school year. (d) The program provides a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and health. This subsection does not require the program to include in its curriculum any concept, topic, or practice in conflict with the program’s religious doctrines or to exclude from its curriculum any concept, topic, or practice consistent with the program’s religious doctrines. (e) The program is not operated or instituted for the purpose of avoiding or circumventing the compulsory school attendance requirement under s. 118.15(1)(a).

Once you have done the research and decided that you are willing and able to begin homeschooling, you must file a PI-1206 Homeschool Report with the Department of Public Instruction.

In filing that form, you are not asking for permission or approval, but reporting that you will be homeschooling the number of children on your form, and affirm that you are operating your home-based private educational program in accordance with the law.

If you do not file the PI-1206 Homeschool Report at the correct time, you are not legally homeschooling and your child could be subject to the truancy process.

You are required to provide 875 hours of instruction, so having some documentation of those hours  is a good idea. WHPA suggests keeping an attendance record in whatever way works for you. Since Wisconsin law requires compulsory attendance, not compulsory education, no one has a right to ask you to prove what your child has learned. In summary, If you chose to homeschool you are required to:

  • File the PI-1206 Homeschool Report and adhere to the agreement that you have made on this form
  • Provide your students with a sequentially progressive curriculum of fundamental instruction in reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science and health.
  • Ensure your child meets the legal requirement of attending 875 hours of school.
  • Additionally, it’s a good idea to keep an attendance record documenting hours that your child has been in attendance of your homeschool.
WHPA provides information about homeschooling in Wisconsin. WHPA does not provide specific legal advice to any specific individuals in the context of any specific matters. It is the responsibility of each homeschool administrator/parent or guardian to read original source material and make decisions on compliance for themselves. When you file the PI-1206 Homeschool Report with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, you take full responsibility for understanding and complying with the laws outlined on that form. WHPA does not endorse or provide curriculum suggestions or specific materials for any particular educational approach.