Indiana (IN) State - Homeschooling Laws and Regulations

Homeschooling is legal in every American state.  The Department of Education states, "Parents in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have the option to home school their children" (Department of Education, NCES). School attendance is compulsory for all children; however, parents have the legal right to withdrawal their children from government schools to enroll them in qualified private schools or to educate their children at home.  This is only proper considering the fact that the duty and the right to educate the next generation were appointed by God to parents even before God created governments.

Each state has laws that govern matters such as how parents are to declare their intention to homeschool and what topics must be included in your home-education program.  Some states require periodic standardized tests and more formal records be maintained. One of the great benefits of homeschooling is the liberty of homeschooling parents to choose their own curriculum.  GETTING STARTED CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING, BUT MULTITUDES OF PARENTS ARE HOMESCHOOLING AND SO CAN YOU!  It is my pleasure to help your research efforts.  Below are links to key government and non-government pages.

Indiana:  "Home schools in Indiana are nonpublic, nonaccredited schools. Home educators must teach a minimum of 180 days per calendar year. They choose the days and keep attendance records. Home school educators must register by submitting their grade level enrollment to the Indiana Department of Education. [See note below.] Indiana Code §20-8.1-3-23(c); §20-8.1-3-24(b). Instruction given in a home school must be equivalent to instruction received in a public school. State law does not define equivalency of instruction. Indiana Code §20-8.1-3-34. State law exempts home schools from the curriculum and program requirements which public schools must follow. Indiana Code §20-8.1-3-17.3. Home educated students can participate, with the approval of the superintendent or the school board, in public school educational activities. Indiana Code §208.1-3-17.3. Participation in elementary or junior high athletics is at the discretion of the public school. Participation in high school athletics is rare because the home schooled student's educational program must also conform to the bylaws of the Indiana High School Athletic Association. Home school students may not take ISTEP+ or any other public school administered test unless they are enrolled in a public school for at least one period a day. Home schooled children will not receive a diploma from the local public school or from the state. Seventeen-year-old students may take the examination for the General Equivalency Development (GED) Certificate." (Source:  "State Regulation of Private Schools," Indiana, by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Non-Public Education (2000).)

"Parents who choose to home educate may report their homeschool’s enrollment to the Indiana Department of Education" (Indiana Code § 20-33-2-21).

The two quotes above give contrary direction regarding enrollment. The actual Indiana statute states: "In a private school, the record shall be required to 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" (Indiana Code §20-8.1-3-23(c)). The enrollment mentioned in the Indiana statute appears to refer to the enrollment within the private school, not "enrollment to the Indiana Department of Education," as interpreted by the U.S. Department of Education's State Regulation of Private Schools. HSLDA interprets enrollment as "not required under state law and entirely voluntary" (source).

LINKS TO HELPFUL SITES

• http://www.doe.in.gov/sservices/homed.htm

• http://www.doe.in.gov/sservices/homeschool/index.html

• Statutes: http://www.ai.org/legislative/ic/code/title20/ar33/ch2.html

• http://www.doe.in.gov/standards/welcome2.html

• http://www.doe.in.gov/sservices/hse_support.html

Counties

Disclaimer:  Balancing the Sword makes no claims about the timeliness nor the completeness of the links or legal information posted.  These homeschooling laws and legal information are being provided free of charge.  Postings of rules and regulations are subject to change.  Seek the advice of other home-educating parents or homeschooling organizations in your area for more help or contact your county superintendent of schools.  Plan to file a Notice of Intent to homeschool with your county superintendent or child's current principal.  (This document may also be known as an Affidavit of Intent, a Letter of Intent, a Notification of Intent, or a Declaration of Intent.  Sample from Tennessee.)   

• To Homeschooling Laws per State
• To Homeschooling Page
• To Homeschooling Organizations
• To National Homeschool Conventions List
• To Homeschooling Speakers and Workshop Leaders
• To Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)
• Please email me if you find a broken link.

Homeschooling Conventions in Indiana (IN)
Conferences, Expos, and Book Fairs

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