How to Homeschool in Indiana

In order to comply with compulsory attendance law in Indiana, a student shall attend school each year for the 180 days public schools are in session. IC §§20-33-2-5 and 20-30-2-3.

Per the Indiana Department of Education, home schools in Indiana are nonpublic, non-accredited schools.

Homeschool educators may register by submitting their grade level enrollment to the Indiana Department of Education. IC §20-33-2-21.

Home educators must teach a minimum of 180 days per calendar year. IC §20-33-2-5.

Per the Indiana Department of Education's Homeschool Help Sheet, the head of the home school will decide the days and hours of the home school. Also local public school superintendents may request the attendance records to verify attendance.

State law exempts home schools from the curriculum and program requirements that public schools must follow. IC §20-33-2-12(a).

Homeschooled 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. Homeschooled children will not receive a diploma from the local public school or from the state, but can receive a legally issued, non-accredited diploma, according to the state of Indiana, issued by the instructor of the home school. Sixteen-year-old students may take the examination for the general equivalency development certificate. Per the Indiana Department of Education's Homeschool Help Sheet.

Each public agency must (1) locate, identify, and evaluate all students with disabilities as specified in 511 IAC 7-40 in any nonpublic school or facility, including any religious school or home school, within its boundaries; (2) consult with nonpublic school representatives and representatives of parents of nonpublic school students with disabilities; (3) provide information to the division of special education related to parentally-placed nonpublic school students covered under this rule; and (4) make available special education and related services to all students with disabilities. 511 IAC 7-34-1.

Home-educated students can participate, with the approval of the superintendent or the school board, in public school educational activities. Participation in elementary or junior high athletics is at the discretion of the public school. IC §20-33-2-12(B).

Participation in high school athletics is controlled by the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA). IHSSA requires that the student (1) has been homeschooled the previous three consecutive years; (2) must be enrolled in the school that the student is representing for at least one class per day; (3) pass a physical examination; (4) participate in the required practices for the activity as affirmed by the school; (5) has completed all state-wide examinations as authorized by the Indiana Department of Education; and (6) has his/her grades submitted and be certified passing by his or her family. Per the Indiana Department of Education's Homeschool Help Sheet.

Each public agency must (1) locate, identify, and evaluate all students with disabilities as specified in 511 IAC 7-40 in any nonpublic school or facility, including any religious school or home school, within its boundaries; (2) consult with nonpublic school representatives and representatives of parents of nonpublic school students with disabilities; (3) provide information to the division of special education related to parentally-placed nonpublic school students covered under this rule; and (4) make available special education and related services to all students with disabilities. 511 IAC 7-34-1.

Contact Information

Indiana Department of Education
South Tower, Suite 600
115 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2795
Phone: (317) 232-6610
Fax: (317) 232-8004
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: http://www.doe.in.gov/

Source: United States Department of Education - Indiana State Regulations

Indiana's compulsory education statute requires that students(beginning at 7 years of age) attend either a public school or some other school that is taught in the English language. IC §20-33-2-4, IC 20-33-2-8.

Intent to Home School Notification

Registration as a homeschool family is not required in the State of Indiana.

State law does not require parents and guardians of students in elementary or middle school to sign a specific form in order to withdraw from school in order to begin homeschooling. The school cannot require parents or guardians to register or provide proof of enrollment in a homeschool program prior to withdrawing the student.

Curriculum

IC 20-33-2-27 and IC 20-33-2-28 provide that it is unlawful for a parent to fail, neglect, or refuse to send the parent’s child to a public school for a full term unless the child is being provided with instruction equivalent to that given in public schools.

State law does not define “instruction equivalent to that given in public schools.” IC 20-33-2-12 provides that a homeschool is not bound by any legal requirements set forth in IC 20 or IC 21 with regard to curriculum or the content of educational programs offered by the homeschool.

Attendance Requirements

IC 20-33-2-20 requires homeschools to maintain an accurate daily record of attendance to verify the enrollment and attendance of a student. Attendance records must be provided upon the request of the Secretary of Education or the public school superintendent where the student resides.

There is no specific form required to maintain attendance records.Parents should provide 180 days of instruction in an academic year, which runs from July 1, of a given year through June 30, of the following year. The days the student was enrolled in a public school or another accredited school count toward the 180 days of attendance.

Record Keeping

Parents are responsible for maintaining any records related to their student(s) homeschool program. IDOE does not accept or maintain educational records for students who are homeschooled.

Indiana law does not require specific educational records to be maintained. If there is ever a question of educational neglect, keeping good attendance records and other documentation regarding attendance and continuing educational activity is highly instrumental in addressing these concerns.

Withdrawal from Public School

Parents and guardians must inform the school of their decision to withdraw. There is no specific method required to withdraw established in state law. A phone call to the school may suffice, but it is recommended that parents and guardians inform the school of their decision in writing. Failure to inform the school of the decision to homeschool could result in the student being reported as truant.

State law does require parents and guardians of students in high school to sign a specific form in order to withdraw from school in order to begin homeschooling. The form is required by IC 20-33-2-28.6 for high school students who have withdrawn to homeschool. It is not a registration form but does allow a high school to remove a student who is withdrawn to homeschool from the graduation cohort.

The Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Nonpublic School form is not a homeschool registration form. If a parent or guardian chooses not to sign the form, the student is regarded as a high school dropout and the principal must report the student to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to revoke or refuse to issue a driver’s license or learner’s permit to the student. The withdrawal form has a statement that if the homeschool verification email is available it should be attached to the form. If a parent or guardian chooses not to register as a homeschool family or if the verification is not available, the form will still be considered complete with just the parent/guardian signature.

Homeschool Defined

Homeschooling is the term used when parents or guardians withdraw from public and non-public accredited school options in order to educate their students themselves. Although homeschool parents and guardians may participate in co-ops or other options, the education is based in the home with the parent or guardian making the decisions about curriculum and instructional matters. Homebound instruction and virtual schools, based and accredited in Indiana, including virtual charter schools, are examples of home-based programs that are not homeschools.

Indiana Home Schooling Links

• Indiana Homeschool Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Indiana Homeschool Help Sheet
• When an Indiana Homeschooled Child Returns to Public School
• Indiana State Academic Standards
• Indiana Homeschool Guidance - High School Transfers to Homeschool (PDF)
• Indiana Voluntary Homeschool Registration

Source: Indiana Department of Education