Wisconsin Statute Section 118.15 states that "a parent or guardian may select a home-based private educational program for a child in order to comply with the compulsory school attendance law." Homeschooling families must follow the same requirements private schools follow. To show compliance with this law, Wisconsin homeschooling families must file a three-part form called the PI-1206 or Home-Based Private Educational Program Registration to the Department of Public Instruction each year they home school. In September 2010, the DPI switched to an electronic PI-1206 so homeschooling families can file electronically. File the form before October 15 to homeschool for the current year. If you decide to homeschool after your children start attending a regular school, wait until the DPI receives your form before pulling them out of school and starting homeschooling. If your child does not turn 6 before September 1, you do not have to file this form to homeschool legally in Wisconsin.
The state of Wisconsin requires all children to have regular instruction in the subjects of language arts, reading, mathematics, social studies, science and health. The 875 hours of mandatory educational instruction works out to five hours of school a day for 175 days. However, homeschooling families can provide this instruction in any way they wish such as utilizing field trips, community activities, co-operating classes, educational games and community sports opportunities to enhance their children's educational experiences. Wisconsin homeschooling laws do not require homeschooling students to take standardized tests or parents to hold official teaching credentials.
To meet private school requirements, homeschooling families must check that they comply with Statute 118.165. This statute requires that educating families choose an educational program or curriculum based on a private or religious-based education that is privately controlled. The educational program must provide 875 hours of instructions with a curriculum that progressively increases instruction in each of the required subjects. Lastly, the education program picked by the homeschooling families should not operate solely to avoid the compulsory attendance law. Based on these requirements, Wisconsin school official can only check homeschooling students' attendance records, not their academic records. These requirements also state that parents do not have to pick any curriculum or educational program that conflicts with their personal beliefs, giving homeschooling families in Wisconsin freedom to choose their own materials.