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Two states, side by side

California vs Illinois: Homeschool Laws Compared

Nine rules compared from each state's verified compliance data, then what changes for a family moving in either direction.

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The short answer

California is the more regulated of the two: it requires notice but no testing or evaluation, while Illinois requires no notice to homeschool. They differ on 5 of the 9 rules compared: notice of intent, hours or days per year, required subjects, compulsory school ages, and public school sports access.

Rules compared
9
Differences
5
Same in both
4

The rules, side by side

Rows where the two states differ are marked. Tap a state name for its full guide, deadlines, and sources.

Rule California Illinois
Notice of intent Differs Required, filed with the state education department Not required
Hours or days per year Differs 175 days a year No minimum
Required subjects Differs 7 named: math, language arts, social studies, science, visual/performing arts, health, physical education 7 named: language arts, math, science, social studies, fine arts, health, physical education
Testing or evaluation None None
Portfolio of work Not required Not required
Progress reports Once a year None
Compulsory school ages Differs 6-18 6-17
ESA or school choice funding No program No program
Public school sports access Differs No Yes, with conditions

Figures are the same verified compliance data shown on each state's page. Requirements change; confirm with your state before you rely on one.

Moving from California to Illinois

Once you are a Illinois resident you homeschool under Illinois's rules. These are the ones that change.

  1. There is no notice to file in Illinois. Before you leave, send California's district a short withdrawal note so its attendance record closes.
  2. Illinois sets no hour or day minimum. Keep the log anyway; it is what you show if anyone asks, and what you build a transcript from.
  3. Illinois's required list adds fine arts and drops visual/performing arts compared with California's. Match Illinois's wording in your records.
  4. Compulsory school ages are 6-17 in Illinois against 6-18 in California, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
  5. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In Illinois the answer is yes, with conditions; in California it was no.
How to start homeschooling in Illinois Moving to Illinois checklist Withdrawing in California California withdrawal letter (free PDF)

Moving from Illinois to California

Once you are a California resident you homeschool under California's rules. These are the ones that change.

  1. File a notice of intent with the state education department once you are a California resident. Illinois did not ask for one, so this is new paperwork.
  2. Start logging from your first day: California counts 175 days a year, and Illinois set no minimum.
  3. California's required list adds visual/performing arts and drops fine arts compared with Illinois's. Match California's wording in your records.
  4. Compulsory school ages are 6-18 in California against 6-17 in Illinois, so check whether your youngest or oldest is now inside or outside the rule.
  5. Can homeschoolers play public school sports? In California the answer is no; in Illinois it was yes, with conditions.
How to start homeschooling in California Moving to California checklist Withdrawing in Illinois California letter of intent Illinois withdrawal letter (free PDF) California hour log (free PDF)

What stays the same

California and Illinois match on testing or evaluation, the portfolio, progress reports, and ESA funding. Your habits on those carry over unchanged.

Do your records transfer?

Neither California nor Illinois takes homeschool records from another state, and there is no transfer process between them. You keep your own: the hours or attendance log, work samples, and any grades or transcripts. Those are what the new state, and later a college, may ask to see. Homeschool Fox keeps them in one account that moves with your family.

Homeschool record keeping guide How to withdraw from public school

Sourced from each state's own published requirements. See the sources and verification dates on the California page and the Illinois page.

Homeschool Fox is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Confirm details with your state or a qualified advisor.

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Take your records across the state line

Pick your new state once and Homeschool Fox applies its hours, subjects, and reporting rules to everything you have already logged.

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