How to Homeschool in Indiana

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If you are planning to begin homeschooling and want to know what to do next, you've come to the right place. Indiana has relatively few regulations for homeschooling families, but it is important for you to be aware of the various policies and rules. In this article you will find the following:

An overview of Indiana homeschool laws,
An introduction to homeschool groups in Indiana, and
A description of how Moving Beyond the Page can help you get started.

* This page does not contain legal advice and is not an endorsement of any homeschool groups listed. (see disclaimer)

Indiana Homeschool Laws

The first thing you need to do once you have decided to homeschool is inform your child's current principal in writing. This step provides evidence of your child's continuing education and will prevent your child from being considered truant. At that time, it is also advisable for you to request your student's records. You are entitled to these records both as your child's guardian and your student's school administrator.

Indiana also has a few more requirements for homeschooling families:

180 days of instruction: while you may decide when and how long to provide instruction, your child must receive instruction for at least 180 days each year.
Attendance records: you may keep records however you choose, but your child's public school may request copies of these records to confirm your child's compliance with attendance laws.
Instruction equivalence: Indiana law does not define equivalency — you do not need to use a specific program or curriculum. In general, keeping records of your child's attendance and instruction, such as material covered and days of instruction, should be sufficient.

You should also know that Indiana does not require homeschooled students to comply with standardized testing regulations. The state does advise that you periodically test your child using a nationally-normed test. If you would like to test your child, many local and statewide organizations provide assistance in setting up testing for homeschooled students.

Homeschool Groups in Indiana

Homeschooling your children is a daunting task, but there are many groups and organizations in Indiana to help you out. Here are some organizations you may want to look into.

Indiana Association of Home Educators

http://www.iahe.net

This statewide organization provides a wealth of resources both online and in its free quarterly magazine. They host a convention each year along with a range of other events and activities. On their website you will find a list of regional contacts to help put you in touch with local support groups and co-ops.

Indiana Home Educator's Network

http://www.ihen.org

This statewide network can help put you in touch with support group leaders and county contacts near you.

If you would like to recommend a new link or let us know about a problem with an existing link, please contact us

NOTE: You can find a wealth of local and state groups offering homeschooling advice and support on sites such as Facebook and Yahoo Groups. You can search by city or county, religious preference, homeschooling philosophy, and more. You will need a free account on these sites to join one of their groups.

A Homeschool Curriculum for Indiana

Beyond the Page is a homeschool curriculum that exceeds the requirements for homeschooling in the state of Indiana. All of the Beyond the Page packages cover science, social studies, and language arts, and we offer a range of math programs as well. The Indiana legal requirements are only a starting point, and our curriculum utilizes a range of educational strategies that are designed to foster a love of learning in children including:

Hands-on activities,
Differentiated options, and
Independent projects.

Beyond the Page encourages critical thinking and creativity while encouraging your child's unique learning style like no other curriculum on the market. If your child is a hands-on learner, a gifted learner, or a creative free-thinker, then you should look into Beyond the Page for your child.

Choose an age level to continue:

Age 4-5

Age 5-7

Age 6-8

Age 7-9

Age 8-10

Age 9-11

Age 10-12

Age 11-13

Age 12-14

Disclaimers

Any information about the laws in your state is provided to help you understand your legal requirements to homeschool in your state. It should by no means be interpreted as legal advice. This information was not compiled by a lawyer. It is your responsibility to interpret and understand the laws that you will be homeschooling under. If you have questions, you should seek the advice of a lawyer that operates in your state.

Beyond the Page does not endorse any of the homeschool groups that are included in these pages. They are provided only for your benefit. You should research any group to ensure that they align with your family's goals and philosophies.