Homeschooling in Wisconsin: At Home with Learning
a.k.a. “The Handbook”
In 1985, Wisconsin Parents Association (now Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association) published the first edition of “the handbook,” a groundbreaking collection of essays and information about homeschooling law and practice in Wisconsin. Entitled, “At Home With Learning,” the hard-copy handbook [ISBN 978-0-9651864-3-8] was updated several times, most recently the 7th edition in 2013. A 2016 minor reprint included new artwork from Wisconsin artist and homeschooler Heidi Hankley, as well as additional information about new Wisconsin law regarding public school sports and extracurricular activities.
As much as homeschoolers all over Wisconsin love and rely on the handbook, in 2018 WHPA’s (then WPA) Board of Directors decided printing the handbook was no longer viable for a variety of reasons:
- The WHPA website is the most current and up-to-date resource for Wisconsin homeschoolers.
- It is virtually impossible to keep a hard copy up-to-date in our rapidly-changing, unpredictable educational and legal landscapes.
- Although Wisconsin homeschooling law has not changed since 1984, other legal references are out-of-date and likely to change periodically.
- As an all-volunteer organization with a volunteer working board, WHPA cannot justify the expense and time involved in book publishing.
But just because “Homeschooling in Wisconsin: At Home with Learning” is out-of-print doesn’t mean the handbook is gone forever! WHPA is proud to continue our long-standing tradition of support for homeschoolers throughout Wisconsin with timely and accurate information from a variety of other, more nimble sources:
- WHPA’s website is your living handbook, available for free, 24-hours a day, to all Wisconsin homeschoolers, prospective homeschoolers, homeschool supporters, and anyone with questions about homeschooling in Wisconsin. WHPA is committed to updating and enriching the website with additional timeless handbook content as well as contemporary relevant support for many years to come.
- WHPA newsletters (a WHPA member benefit) now routinely cover important topics from the handbook in our “Insights From the Handbook” features.
- WHPA’s Question Answering Committee (QAC) is available to answer questions that aren’t covered on the WHPA web site, free, by phone or email, regardless of WHPA membership status.
- Many Wisconsin libraries still hold copies of “Homeschooling in Wisconsin: At Home with Learning” in their catalog.
- Online and retail book resellers occasionally have out-of-print handbooks for sale.
So while WHPA will no longer be updating the printed handbook, you can always count on us to provide Wisconsin homeschoolers the up-to-date, accurate, and timely support you’ve grown to expect.
Last Updated on 08/18/21
