SPRINGFIELD, IL… State Representative Regan Deering (R-Decatur) advocated for homeschool freedom at a press conference today at the State Capitol with two of her colleagues, Rep. Travis Weaver (R-Edwards) and Rep. Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville).
HB 2827, the Homeschool Act is legislation that makes significant changes to homeschooling programs by creating intrusive mandates and over-regulation by implementing requirements for homeschool programs and curriculum. The legislation also tasks the Illinois State Board of Education with creating a “Homeschool Declaration Form”, which if not completed and submitted, will result in the student being considered truant.
“As a parent, former educator, school board member, and former owner of a tutoring and test preparation business, I know that every student learns differently and responds to different methods of instruction,” said Rep. Deering. “Homeschooling is an incredible asset that can open up those opportunities and allow a child to flourish. The bill in question today takes away that freedom, and that opportunity for students who learn differently to succeed.”
“If we are going to talk about fixing problems with education, let’s zoom out on education as a whole: from unprecedented teacher shortages, intense levels of bullying and violence, and extreme cases where schools are committing educational neglect in public education. Public education is full of government mandates and plenty of dollars, yet kids are still performing way below grade level in basic skills like reading, writing, and math. Those are real issues that merit solutions,” concluded Deering.
To show opposition for HB 2827, Rep. Deering has launched a Homeschool Freedom petition, which may be accessed here: https://www.ilhousegop.org/deering_homeschool_petition
To watch the video of the press conference, see below:
With any questions, please reach out to Rep. Deering at (217) 876-1968 or by visiting RepDeering.com.
###