For those of you who have been following the state laws, anxiously awaiting your state to come up, I promise I’m working on them! I have taken a detour recently to discuss home schooling vs. public education. Perhaps you’ve seen the latest education and homeschooling blogs? Anyhow, for those of you who are waiting, we are back to working on our states in alphabetical order. If there’s something you’d specifically like to see. . .just ask!
This is not legal advice. As someone who lives in a state that is highly regulated, I cannot emphasize enough the need for you to advocate for yourself and make a point to know your state laws. While the school district will most likely provide you with a printed copy of the laws and regulations for home schooling, a local home schooling group can be a valuable asset when it comes to navigating your way through the system.
In Indiana, your only option to home school is to establish the home school as a private school. Like other states, the requirements seem to be fairly loose in Indiana and there are no paperwork requirements other than what you would maintain for your own personal records and attendance records as requested by the superintendant.
Compulsory age: Children must start school in the fall of the (school) year in which they turn 7. (Note: The only exception to this is if the child has previously been enrolled in school and then pulled out. So for example, if you enroll your child in kindergarten at age 5, then pull him out to home school, your 5 year old would fall under compulsory attendance laws.)
Attendance: Homeschooled children must be in attendance the same amount of days as public school students. Generally, this is 180 days.
Subjects: A school that is not accredited by the board of education is not bound to teach the same subjects. There are in essence, no requirements for subjects to be taught at home.
Records: Parents must keep attendance records and make them available for inspection if requested.
Qualifications: There are no qualifications for a teacher.
Testing: Parents are not required to test their children.
Although the state does not specifically require it, parents should keep good records of what they’ve taught their children so that they have transcripts to present for college admissions. Records are also needed should they decide to send their child to school later on.
Resources on Record Keeping:
Homeschool Easy Records
A to Z Home schooling: Records
This page has several links for binder systems that you can buy to help keep home school records. This page is PDF forms that you can print and use.
State Resources and Support Groups:
Indiana Board of Education information about Homeschooling
Indiana Association of Home Educators
There is more information on regional groups here.