Despite the Ongoing Pandemic, Nothing Has Changed in Wisconsin Homeschooling Law

Homeschooling is a legal option.

Parents and guardians who choose to homeschool should thoroughly understand their rights and responsibilities under Wisconsin law. Homeschoolers are not required to report to the state until October 15. WHPA strongly encourages parents to do no more than the law requires.

• When and How to File the PI-1206
• Clear guidance for public schools from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) FAQs state: “Under Wis. Stat. §115.30(3), no school district can compel the submission of the form prior to October 15. If a parent communicates to their resident district their intent to homeschool their student(s), a district should consider that sufficient notice up to the October 15 deadline to submit a PI-1206 form. If you withdraw your child from a public or private school after October 15, your online PI-1206 report should be submitted or updated on or before the date your child ceases to attend the school.”
• How to respond to contact from school officials

What is Homeschooling in Wisconsin?

We hear the word “homeschooling” a lot, but how it is used can be confusing. As the COVID 19 pandemic has forced more families to do school at home, people sometimes use the word “homeschooling” to mean “anyone doing any kind of learning in their home.” But under the law, not everyone learning at home is legally “homeschooling.” Read more…

How Do We Protect Our Homeschooling Freedoms?

There are five main things that you can do, as a homeschooler in Wisconsin, to protect homeschooling freedoms.

1. Know the history of homeschooling in Wisconsin and why homeschooling in Wisconsin is unique.
2. Know the law and homeschool responsibly. Do what is required of homeschoolers and no more.
3. Do not push for additional legislation for homeschoolers. Legislation is often amended and rarely passes in the condition that it was introduced.
4. Do not ask for favors from the government. Favors and money from the government naturally come with oversight and regulation.
5. Contact your legislators throughout the year to let them know that homeschooling is working in Wisconsin, and that homeschoolers do not support any changes to Wisconsin’s reasonable homeschooling law.