How To Begin Homeschooling

If you are looking for information on how to begin homeschooling, background information and legal information is available at the following sites:

National

A to Z Home's Cool Homeschooling Web Site
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

Ann Zeise has created this wonderful, informative and very well maintained site.  No matter where you live or what your personal philosophies toward homeschooling are, you will find useful information here.

Alternative Education Resource Organization
http://www.educationrevolution.org/

Provides support and resources to those who favor "learner-centered" education, including certain types of homeschooling.

Homeschooling Legal Defense Association
http://www.hslda.org/

Advocates for the rights of homeschoolers and the right of parents to direct their children's education. Though a Christaian organization, it works on behalf of both secular and religious homeschoolers.

National Home Education Network
http://www.nhen.org

This information network for state and local homeschoolers has become very well respected in its short existence.  NHEN is known for keeping accurate information on their web site and for their support of all faiths and styles of homeschooling.

National Home Education Research Institute
http://nheri.org/

This Christian non-profit organization has done a great deal of research on and about  homeschooling over the past decade or so.  Some information is available on line.

Illinois Specific Information

Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience (H.O.U.S.E)
http://www.illinoishouse.org

Statewide non-denominational site has very accurate state legal information (including samples of form letters and procedures), a field trip page of ideas of what to see and where to go near you, and the best homeschool supplier list I have seen on any state or national list to date.

Christian Home Educators Coalition (CHEC)
http://www.chec.cc/

Good information about how to contact your state and national legislators, Illinois law, our annual legislative day and much more.

Illinois Christian Home Educators
http://www.iche.org/

Information about IL law, conventions, support groups and more.

Popcorn & Peanuts: ALL the Illinois Home Education Laws in One Place
http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts/illaws.html

This independent site has a wealth of information on everything from removing a child from an Illinois school in the middle of the year to driver's education classes and graduation requirements.