Legal / Legislative Updates

Family Investigated for Homeschooling

In early January, in southern Indiana, Mr. and Mrs. Boyce (name changed to protect privacy) received a phone call from a local department of child services (DCS) caseworker informing them that someone had reported that their son was not in school.* When they informed the caseworker that they were homeschooling their son, she acknowledged that homeschooling was legal but stated that the DCS still needed to conduct an investigation.

Not sure how to respond, Mrs. Boyce contacted Home School Legal Defense Association. Staff Attorney Thomas Schmidt spoke with the caseworker on the Boyces’ behalf and learned that she wanted to meet with the family, see their son, and discuss their homeschool program in greater detail. Schmidt then explained to the Boyces exactly what their rights were under Indiana law and how caseworkers were required to honor those rights.

The Boyces decided that they would meet with the caseworker to verbally reassure her that they were teaching their son at home. If the caseworker requested additional information on homeschooling in general, or their homeschool program in particular, HSLDA would step in.

The meeting took place with no difficulties. After a general discussion about the subjects the family taught in their homeschool program, the caseworker decided to close her investigation as unsubstantiated.

— by Thomas J. Schmidt