FAQ: Homeschool

No. Registration in Indiana is left up to the discretion of the parents or guardians. Parents or guardians of students in high school must sign the Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Nonpublic School Located in Indiana form in order to be removed from the graduation cohort. This form is not a homeschool registration. Per IC 20-33-3-28.6, if a parent or guardian decides not to sign the form, their student is considered a dropout and the principal should report the student to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to revoke or refuse to issue a driver’s license or learner’s permit for the student.

No. Parents and guardians may decide to homeschool and return to public school as they see fit. Public schools must enroll students returning from a homeschool environment right away, without waiting for the end of a grading period or other event. Charter schools that are fully enrolled should add students returning from homeschool to their waiting list.

Yes. 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 parents making the decisions about curriculum and instructional matters. Homebound instruction and virtual schools, including virtual charter schools, accredited and located in Indiana, are examples of home-based programs that are not homeschools.

Attendance: IC 20-33-2-20 and IC 20-33-2-28 require a non-accredited nonpublic school, including homeschool, to maintain an accurate daily record of attendance to verify the enrollment and attendance of a student upon the request of the Secretary of Education or the public school superintendent. There is no specific form required for these attendance records. Parents should ensure that homeschooled students receive at least 180 days of instruction.

Instruction: 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 the public schools. State law does not define “instruction equivalent to that given in public schools.” However, IC 20-33-2-12 provides that a non-accredited nonpublic school 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 school.

No. Indiana homeschools are nonpublic non-accredited schools.

No. When a parent or guardian decides to homeschool, all educational decisions regarding the withdrawal and subsequent curriculum and instruction are left up to the parents or guardian.

Schools retain right of placement for students returning from homeschool and may place them in the grade level or classes where they believe the students will be most successful. Schools may use placement tests, final exams, or other methods, including homeschool academic records, if appropriate, to determine where the student should be placed.

School personnel should contact the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) if they feel that the parent or guardian is not meeting the requirements of the law. School personnel may contact their local DCS office or call the Indiana Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-800-5556.

Additional questions about homeschooling should be directed to Kim Stewart at kstewart@doe.in.gov or 317-232-0957.