A school that is nonpublic, non-accredited, and not otherwise approved by the Indiana State Board of Education is not bound by any requirements set forth in IC 20 or IC 21 with regard to curriculum or the content of educational programs offered by the school.
This is the full text of the compulsory school attendance statutes. These pertain to those who choose to home educate their children as well. IC 20-33-2-8 Students not bound by requirements Sec. 8. A student is not bound by the requirements of this chapter until the student becomes seven (7) years of age, if, upon request of the superintendent of the school corporation, the parent of a student who would otherwise be subject to compulsory school attendance under section 6 of this chapter certifies to the superintendent that the parent intends to: (1) enroll the student in a nonaccredited, nonpublic school; or (2) begin providing the student with instruction equivalent to that given in the public schools as permitted under section 28 of this chapter; not later than the date on which the student becomes seven (7) years of age. IC 20-33-2-28 Compulsory attendance for full term; duty of parentSec. 28. (a) This section does not apply during a period when a child is excused from school attendance under this chapter. (b) It is unlawful for a parent to: (1) fail; (2) neglect; or (3) refuse; to send the parent's child to a public school for the full term as required under this chapter unless the child is being provided with instruction equivalent to that given in public schools. As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.17.
Some veteran home educators seem to take a firm stand on principles that others don't even recognize as issues. Is it that they are just stubborn, rebellious, or cantankerous? Probably not.
While many parents may not have the opportunity to influence legislation regarding home education on the state level, there are ways to be involved on a local level.
Most books and articles on home education are quick to point out that homeschooling is legal--in one form or another-- in all fifty states. Parents might have to jump through more hoops in one state than in another, but, as long as they're willing to jump through those hoops, they are allowed to teach their own children at home. But are these hoops actually necessary?
AHSA is an informal network of attorneys and legal experts in the United States supporting homeschooling and homeschoolers by providing legal information about homeschooling issues, empowering homeschoolers to have the legal tools they need to meet homeschooling challenges, and providing a network of attorneys for legal representation. The website includes a legal directory by state.
There is a national campaign to institutionalize all preschoolers through government funded and/or mandated "universal preschool." This group seeks to redefine universal preschool as an unheralded worldwide community of loving, functional parents who exercise their right and authority to nurture and teach their young children at home.
The Association of HomeSchool Attorneys (AHSA) provides a list of attorneys who consult with and/or represent homeschoolers.
The Indiana Department of Education's summary of the laws pertaining to homeschooling.
The Home School Legal Defense Association provides a brief summary of the homeschooling laws in Indiana. Includes a link to a legal analysis of laws relating to homeschooling in Indiana.
As their ranks increase, homeschoolers are tapping public schools for curriculum, part-time classes, extracurricular services, and online learning.
Indiana Home Educators' Network (IHEN) is a statewide organization providing information, support, and resource to home educating families in Indiana.
Contains suggestions that are useful for many Indiana families wishing to withdraw their children from public school and transfer them to a home-based private school, or home school.
An advisory group concerned with educating people about the need to eliminate government involvement in education and the rights of parents to educate their own children. On this site, you will find a public proclamation for the separation of school and state, which you can sign.
The law requires that our children be in school from 7-17 years of age and that they attend school for 180 days each year. This summary of the law is provided by the Indiana Association of Home Educators.
In Pierce v. Society of the Sisters, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that "the fundamental theory of liberty upon which all governments of this Union repose excludes any general power of the state to standardize its children by forcing them to accept instruction from public teachers only. The child is not the creature of the state."
Details the importance of support alternative educational choices, including private schools and vouchers, along with homeschooling.
Families homeschooling for the first time inevitably have questions about legal challenges or threats that they might face from local or state education authorities. Those who do seek an answer to these questions are often faced with a confusing array of laws, policies, and regulations that not only vary from state to state, but also between school districts, and school officials within the same state or district.
This is a list of states that have addressed issues of homeschooler participation in public school classes, sports, activities, etc.
Homeschool Watch is an email list where articles, incidents, and current legislation impacting homeschoolers can be posted and practically discussed. The list purpose is to efficiently inform, network and support the efforts of homeschoolers across the nation to keep homeschooling free. This is intended to be a list for homeschoolers actively working on legislative issues and not a theoretical debate society.
An explanation of how homeschools are non-accredited nonpublic schools as far as Indiana law goes. This article is written by Lora L. Miller, Consultant, "Youth Out of the Education Mainstream," at the Indiana Department of Education. Also addresses what the law means for granting diplomas and getting teenagers into college or other post-high school programs.
Homeschoolers have been vigilant in protecting their rights, rising to the occasion when they discover threats to clamp down on their activities. Discusses some of the criticisms by opponents of homeschooling, along with the examples of some legal fights in Connecticut and Montana.
Covers the attendance reporting requirements for private schools in Indiana. A private school administrator shall furnish, on request of the state superintendent of public instruction, the number of children by grade level attending the school.
Find the laws pertaining to home education for all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Indiana statute relating to compulsory attendance. Covers compulsory attendance ages and required days of instruction.
When the home schooled child returns to public school the public school is faced with a decision concerning placement of the child. One model that takes into consideration the needs of the child and the responsibility of the public school is detailed in this article.
This list is created to be a means of informing, documenting and evaluating available information concerning the impact of virtual/charter schools on the homeschooling community. This information consists of and is not limited to news items, articles from various sources, legislative information (bills, law changes), documented efforts and experiences and other information that may give weight to whether home-based charter schools or virtual schools are having an impact in any negative way on homeschooling.
This help sheet is provided by the Indiana Department of Education. It lists the basics of homeschooling in Indiana.
This list of ten questions touches on political issues that affect and are important to homeschoolers. It includes tips on how to frame questions and how to elicit a candidate's opinion on a variety of issues.
Requires that an accurate daily record of attendance be kept solely to verify the enrollment and attendance of any particular child upon request of the state superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent of the school corporation in which the private school is located.
It is unlawful for a parent to fail, neglect or refuse to send his child to a public school for the full term as required under this chapter unless the child is being provided with instruction equivalent to that given in the public schools. This section does not apply during any period when the child is excused from attendance under this chapter.
The Indiana Foundation for Home Schooling is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that encourages and supports the homeschooling community by providing financial and other services to those who pursue, provide or promote home education.
Questions and answers regarding the relationship between public schools and home schools in Indiana.