All Indiana governmental entities, including higher education institutions, must automatically recognize every homeschool high school diploma as legitimate, without inquiring into whether the person presenting it actually has completed a high school-level education.
The Republican-controlled General Assembly recently gave final passage to House Enrolled Act 1348 that declares any diploma or education-related document issued by a non-accredited, nonpublic school "is legally sufficient," and requires its holder not be treated any differently than a person who earned a diploma from a state-recognized high school.
State Rep. Tim Wesco, R-Osceola, the sponsor, said the measure "explicitly recognizes what has been longstanding policy in Indiana" that parents are in charge of their children's education, and the "state and local government cannot arbitrarily refuse to recognize these documents" issued by parents or homeschool leaders.
"These parents are doing superb work in educating their children and have their children's absolute best interests at heart. And we should commend that and support it in the state of Indiana," said Wesco, a 2004 homeschool high school graduate.
Wesco said he decided to pursue the legislation after he learned one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the state denied an applicant on the basis of their homeschool diploma.
"Even though this applicant had a college degree from Ball State University! And this happened more than once. This is what this bill is addressing," Wesco said.
State Rep. Vernon Smith, D-Gary, who voted against the proposal, acknowledged that many homeschool parents do an absolutely wonderful job educating their children.
But he said other parents, under the guise of homeschooling, will pull their older kids out of school to babysit their younger siblings, let their kids sit at home and play video games all day or force their children to learn to read using only the Bible.
"We have no control over the curriculum that's being taught in these homes. We have no control of the social skills that are being honed in those situations. We have no knowledge whatsoever," Smith said.
"I think that the institutions of higher learning, and the training schools for post-secondary education, have a right to ascertain that these students have met some qualifications."
State Rep. Ryan Dvorak, D-South Bend, also observed that under this measure there's nothing stopping someone from selling homeschool diplomas to anyone who just wants out of high school and no one would be allowed to question the validity of that diploma.
"There's no definition of what a non-accredited school is. It's just, essentially, whatever anybody decides to designate themselves as a school," Dvorak said.
In response, Wesco said: "If that arises and it becomes a problem, I'm happy to address it. But there's no indication that it's been a problem here in Indiana or in any state in the country."
The legislation was approved 62-29 in the House and 32-15 by the Senate. It next goes to Republican Gov. Mike Braun to be signed into law.
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