State eyes reducing home-school filings

Actually, there is a push for the public school teacher to have a portfolio of work for each student now too though they aren't evaluated on that by any certified shrink and the superintendent doesn't redundantly pick through it again. It is a wonder any teaching can be done in a classroom these days.

This is what it looks like to live in a free state.

Indiana Law
Compulsory Attendance Ages: “Earlier of the date on which the individual officially enrolls in a school or… the beginning of the fall school term for the school year in which the individual becomes seven (7) years of age until the date on which the individual;

(1) Graduates;
(2) Reaches at least sixteen (16) years of age… and the requirements under subsection (j) concerning an exit interview are met enabling the individual to withdraw from school before graduation; or
(3) Reaches at least eighteen (18) years of age; whichever occurs first. ~ Indiana Code section 20-8.1-2-17.

Required days of Instruction: “For the number of days public schools are in session in the school corporation in which the individual is enrolled in Indiana: or… if the individual is enrolled outside Indiana for the number of days the public schools are in session where the individual is enrolled” (Generally 180 days) Section 20-8.1-3-17.

Required subjects: “Instruction equivalent to that given in public schools.” Indiana Code Section 20-8.1-3-34.
“A school that is:
(1) non-public
(2) non-accredited: and
(3) not otherwise approved by the Indiana State Board of Education;
is not bound by any requirements set forth in IC 20 or IC 21 with regard to curriculum or the content of educational programs offered by the school. “Indiana Code Section 20-8.1-3-17.

Home School Statutes: None

Alternative Statutes Allowing for Home Schools: A child may attend “Some other school which is taught in the English language.” Indiana code Section 20-8.1-3-17.

1. The child must be “Provided with instruction equivalent to that given in public schools” IC 20-8.1-3-34, However, IC 20-8.1-3-17.3 has removed all subject requirements (See Above). Furthermore, the state board of education has not been given authority to define “Equivalent Education.” Nor to approve home schools.
2. The Indiana appellate court has held that the Indiana Compulsory attendance law allows the operation of home schools. State vs. Peterman, 32 Indiana App. 665, 70 N.E. 550 (1904). Essentially, the court said a school at home is a private school.

The court defined school as “A place where instruction is imparted to the young… We do not think that the number of persons, whether one or many, make a place where instruction is imparted any less or more a school” Peterman, 70 NE at 551. The court explained further; “Under a law very similar to ours, the supreme court of Massachusetts has held that the object and purpose of a compulsory educational law are that all children shall be educated. Not that they shall be educated in a particular way.” Peterman, at 551. The court concluded “The result to be obtained, and not the means or manor of obtaining it, was the goal which the lawmakers were attempting to reach. The law (Compulsory attendance) was made for the parent who does not educate his child, and not for the parent who…. So places within the reach of the child the opportunity and means of acquiring an education equal to that obtainable in the public schools….” Peterman at 552.

3. In Mazanec v. North Judson-san Pierre School Corporation, 614 F. Supp. 1152 (N. D. Ind. 1985) (affd. By 798 F. 2d 230). A federal District Court recognized that parents have the Constitutional Right to educate their children in a home environment (at page 1160). The court wrote concerning the qualifications of home school parents that, “it is now doubtful that the requirements of a formally licensed or certified teacher… would pass Constitutional Muster..” (at page 1160) On appeal, the circuit court rulledthat a school corporation is not immune from a 1983 action for improper enforcement of compulsory attendance.
4. Parents must keep attendance records “Solely to verify the enrollment and attendance of any particular child upon request of the superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent of the school corporation in which the private school is located.” Indiana Code Section 20-8.1-3-23.
5. A private school administrator shall furnish, on request of the state superintendent of public instruction, the number of children by grade level attending the school.” Indiana Code Section 20-8.1-3-24.

Those two, Susan Richman and Gloria Molek are certified teachers, not just HSers, who evaluate and make $45 or $100 per kid, the opposition you see is milking the HS community.

Your are very fortunate! My hopes and prayers are that HB2560 is passed. If anyone needs the bill's lobby link let me know.

It's not that I think public school teachers should be inundated with extra tasks, although I believe they should be held to a certain level of parental accountability, recognizing of course, that it is a two-way relationship between teacher and parent. As a parent, I can't imagine not being actively involved in my kids' education.

My point was that the school district shouldn't be making requirements of homeschool parents that they aren't willing to fulfill themselves for their own public school students' parents.

Attach an admendment anyway stating that since homeschoolers are exempt from the No Child Left Behind Act, there is really no reason why states or the federal government should concern themselves with homeschooling.

Our bill basically holds us to the same requirements as the private schools nothing more and nothing less. Our problem right now is the big cheese on the state house education committee, a republican who must be a RINO as he hasn't woken up to the fact that the national republican agenda is pro HSing as is the state's republican agenda...he must be well padded with nea moola.

Do you have a current copy of the bill after amendments so that anyone can see it?

It is still in committee.

Screw you guys Im goin to homeschool( as Cartman said in the "hooked on monkey phonics" episode).