Homeschooling in Indiana? Here’s your plan.

Under IC 20-33-2-27 and IC 20-33-2-28, a child must attend school unless the child is receiving instruction equivalent to that given in public schools. State law does not define equivalent instruction, and IC 20-33-2-12 says a homeschool is not bound by Indiana's curriculum or content requirements. IDOE does not review or endorse any homeschool program, and you do not have to use the Indiana Academic Standards.

IC 20-33-2-20 requires an accurate daily record of attendance. There is no required form, and you provide the records only if the Secretary of Education or your local public school superintendent asks for them. IDOE's FAQ says parents should provide 180 days of instruction in each academic year (July 1 through June 30), and days your child spent enrolled in a public or other accredited school that year count toward the 180. There is no daily hours requirement for homeschools.

Registering your homeschool with IDOE is optional. If you choose to, you register once, and it stays active year after year for any children you homeschool.

If your child is enrolled in a school now, IDOE says you must inform the school that you are withdrawing your child to homeschool. A phone call may be enough, but IDOE recommends doing it in writing. For a high school student, the school will ask you to sign the Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Non-public School Located in Indiana form (IC 20-33-2-28.6).

This page covers homeschooling as a non-accredited non-public school. Indiana also has accredited non-public schools. If you enroll your child in one, the school is responsible for meeting its accreditation standards, and your family's duty is to have your child attend.

Keep your attendance record. IC 20-33-2-20 requires an accurate daily attendance record. IDOE adds that if a question of educational neglect ever comes up, good attendance records and documentation of ongoing educational activity are highly instrumental.

High school withdrawal form. If you do not sign the Withdrawal to Non-Accredited Non-public School Located in Indiana form for a high school student, the student is regarded as a dropout, and the principal may report the student to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, which can affect a driver's license or learner's permit.

Classes and sports are local decisions. IDOE says whether a homeschooled student can take classes or join extracurricular activities at the local public school is up to the local school corporation. Ask yours about its policies.

Diplomas. Homeschool students do not receive a diploma accredited by the State Board of Education. Under House Enrolled Act 1348, as IDOE describes it, a diploma issued by a nonaccredited non-public school is legally sufficient to show the student completed high school, and Indiana agencies and colleges may not reject it based solely on its source.

Statewide testing. Homeschool students do not take statewide tests such as ILEARN or IREAD, and are not permitted to unless enrolled in at least one class at a public or accredited school.

IEP services. IDOE says some services may still be available through your child's previous school after you withdraw to homeschool. Talk with the school's special education director about how they might be provided.