How to Homeschool in Wisconsin

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In the state that is known for its great lakes, Wisconsin is also known by many homeschoolers as one of the most laid back homeschooling states in the country. With its simple and flexible laws for homeschooling and its broad curriculum standards, homeschooling in Wisconsin can be an easy and fun experience. In this article you will find an:

Overview of Wisconsin homeschool laws
Introduction to homeschool groups in Wisconsin
Description of how Moving Beyond the Page can help you get started

* This page does not contain legal advice and is not an endorsement of any homeschool groups listed. (see disclaimer)

Wisconsin Homeschool Laws

There are two simple requirements for homeschooling in the state of Wisconsin:

Provide 875 hours of instruction each academic year
Include the basic subjects (reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and health) in lesson plans

You do NOT need to:

Have any formal teaching degrees or any other educational degrees
Follow curriculum chosen by the state (You get to choose what to teach)
Have school officials approve of lesson plans
Provide progress reports to school officials

Curriculum
While the state of Wisconsin does require homeschoolers to include the basic subjects, you are not required to focus solely on these subjects. There are also no requirements for how many hours are spent learning the basic subjects, only that the 875 hours of instruction be met by the end of the academic year.
Some tips for meeting those 875 hours of instruction are:

Following conventional school schedules (5 hours a day for 175 days)
Reading about curriculum subjects
Taking field trips
Playing educational games
Doing activities and worksheets provided by a purchased curriculum
Learning practical skills (cooking, driving, home maintenance, etc.)
Supervised computer usage

Ongoing requirements

Each academic year you must fill out a PI-1206 form with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (WDPI).
PI-1206 Form

Only informs the state that you wish to homeschool your child
Must be filled out EACH academic year
MUST be submitted online or else the form is considered invalid
Only fill out form if child is between the ages of 6 and 18
Do NOT file form before the 3rd Friday in September
Online PI-1206 Form

Homeschool Groups in Wisconsin

Homeschooling your children is a daunting task, but there are many groups and organizations in Wisconsin to help you out. Here are some organizations you may want to look into.

Wisconsin Parents Association

http://homeschooling-wpa.org/

This statewide organization works to help keep homeschooling laws in Wisconsin simple and flexible. They are also very helpful in bringing homeschool families together by organizing events. The Wisconsin Parents Association also provides information, encouragement and support to all members of the homeschooling community.

Homeschoolers Exploring Activities and Resources Together

http://www.madisonheart.com/

At HEART you can expect to meet other homeschool children and parents, as well as participate in group activities and join specific interest groups. There is also a yahoo discussion group that is set up for homeschool parents to discuss homeschool issues and ask questions if needed. There is a small fee for joining.

Splendor of Truth Catholic Home Educators

http://www.sotche.org/

We are a group of homeschooling Catholic families. Our location spans the IL/WI border: from southeastern Wisconsin to northeastern Illinois; from Racine, WI to Lake Bluff, IL and from Lake Michigan to McHenry County, IL. Our activities include field trips, Co-op, gym classes, support meetings for moms and moms’ book club, to name a few.

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NOTE: You can find a wealth of local and state groups offering homeschooling advice and support on sites such as Facebook and Yahoo Groups. You can search by city or county, religious preference, homeschooling philosophy, and more. You will need a free account on these sites to join one of their groups.

A Homeschool Curriculum for Wisconsin

Beyond the Page is a homeschool curriculum that exceeds the requirements for homeschooling in the state of Wisconsin. All of the Beyond the Page packages cover science, social studies, and language arts, and we offer a range of math programs as well. The Wisconsin legal requirements are only a starting point, and our curriculum utilizes a range of educational strategies that are designed to foster a love of learning in children including:

Hands-on activities,
Differentiated options, and
Independent projects.

Beyond the Page encourages critical thinking and creativity while encouraging your child's unique learning style like no other curriculum on the market. If your child is a hands-on learner, a gifted learner, or a creative free-thinker, then you should look into Beyond the Page for your child.

Choose an age level to continue:

Age 4-5

Age 5-7

Age 6-8

Age 7-9

Age 8-10

Age 9-11

Age 10-12

Age 11-13

Age 12-14

Disclaimers

Any information about the laws in your state is provided to help you understand your legal requirements to homeschool in your state. It should by no means be interpreted as legal advice. This information was not compiled by a lawyer. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under. If you have questions, you should seek the advice of a lawyer that operates in your state.

Beyond the Page does not endorse any of the homeschool groups that are included in these pages. They are provided only for your benefit. You should research any group to ensure that they align with your family's goals and philosophies.