Harassment of Homeschoolers

Over the past number of years, we have seen the language on the Indiana Department of Education website altered. It simply states:

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

 Formerly, questions from Indiana Code were asked, but children’s names were not requested.  The form requested the parent’s and the public school’s information and:

1.) Number of students

2.) Grade level of students    BLOG Featured Image_Action Logo Square BW 10.28.15 SMALL

It is very clear on the IDOE website that only parents may (not shall) report enrollment.

The simple language has morphed into a more detailed form that asks more questions than what is required by law.

With the many astericks for “required” information, parents are confused into thinking that they MUST report enrollment.

The words “Register” Your Homeschool are unfortunately on the Home School page of the IDOE website. This is confusing since the word “register” is not found in Indiana Code in relation to home education.

We are concerned that some public schools do not understand Indiana Code as it pertains to home education. From phone calls, IAHE is hearing accounts from new homeschoolers who have claimed that they felt intimidated and harassed by their local public school when they removed their student to home school.

Others have told us that the school would not allow them to begin homeschooling until they reported enrollment on the IDOE website. Some of these parents felt scared and intimidated by the school.   They were also angry when they learned that reporting homeschool enrollment by the public school was not required by Code.

Others had sent a letter to inform the public school that they were going to homeschool their child. The school insisted that they fill out other forms that included information that was not required by law and had additional misinformation. Sometimes this was sent to the child after they had exited the school.

As we speak to school districts across the state, we have spoken to very nice people in their offices who do not understand the law as it pertains to home education. Their goal is the same as IAHE’s: both want students to receive a great education. Unfortunately, they are unwittingly requiring more than the law requires. IAHE is willing to have the opportunity to work with schools to help them better understand home education.

Have you removed a student from public school to home school?  Please help us by filling out IAHE’s survey.

 

Is Registration Required for Homeschooling in Indiana?

Many homeschoolers in Indiana are under the mistaken belief they need to register their  home school with the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE).

This is not the case. Nowhere in the Indiana Code (IC) is there a requirement to register.  BLOG Featured Image_Action Logo Square BW 10.28.15 SMALL

The IDOE would certainly like to know about your homeschool because they are in the business of providing public education services to children.  The language on the IDOE website is confusing and unnecessary, therefore IAHE Action does not recommend using the IDOE website.

While IAHE Action does not oppose homeschoolers notifying the IDOE of their intent to homeschool, we encourage homeschoolers to go to IAHE’s homeschool info page before deciding the best course of action.

 

Ian Slatter is the Office Manager at the Tindley Preparatory Academy, a charter school near downtown Indianapolis. From 2003 – 2011 he was the Director of Media Relations at Home School Legal Defense Association. While earning his MPA from Regent University, he worked as an assistant/writer at the Weekly Standard. He then moved to Capitol Hill and served as a legislative assistant and, later, communications director for Congressman Mike Pence. Ian and his wife, Alison, live in Greenwood, Indiana and have 3 children.