Homeschool high school diploma valid as any other, lawmakers say

The Indiana General Assembly recently passed House Enrolled Act 1348, mandating that all government entities and higher education institutions in the state recognize homeschool high school diplomas as valid without questioning their legitimacy. This law, backed by Republican lawmakers, affirms that documents issued by non-accredited, nonpublic schools are “legally sufficient” and must be treated the same as diplomas from state-recognized schools. State Rep. Tim Wesco, the bill’s sponsor and a homeschool graduate himself, argued that the measure reinforces the long-standing principle that parents are responsible for their children’s education. He introduced the legislation after learning that a law enforcement agency denied applicants solely due to their homeschool background, despite their holding college degrees, reported NWI.com.

While the bill received strong Republican support, it faced opposition from several Democrats who voiced concerns about the lack of oversight in homeschooling. Rep. Vernon Smith noted that without curriculum or accountability standards, some children may receive inadequate education or be used as caretakers under the guise of homeschooling. Rep. Ryan Dvorak warned the bill could open the door for fraudulent diploma sales, as the definition of a non-accredited school remains vague. Despite these concerns, supporters argue there is no current evidence of widespread abuse, and the bill ultimately passed with significant majorities in both chambers. It now awaits the signature of Republican Governor Mike Braun.