Even if they don't go to jail over the truancy, these parents probably deserve a little time for sheer stupidity:
A rural Richmond couple is facing a possible jail term for refusing to obey state truancy laws.
The case involves the alleged failure of Eli and Stephanie Collins, 3398 N. Salisbury Road, No. 44, to make their child go to school.
[. . .]
The child enrolled Aug. 19 and was withdrawn Oct. 3. In that time the child was absent 12 days. Further investigation revealed that the child had 87½ days of absence during two years in the Richmond Community Schools system and was tardy 60 times, according to the affidavit of probable cause in the case.
During a four-year period, the child changed schools 15 times, the affidavit said.
Indiana's laws on home schooling are so lax and forgiving that we might as well not have any. All this couple had to do was inform the superintendent that they were home schooling their child. Then they could have done whatever they wanted to, or nothing at all. It seems almost unfair to punish them.
We don't need home-schooling laws as strict and unreasonable as those in a few states, but they could use some tightening. But most of the home schoolers I know -- and they range from the political left to the right -- are very conscientious about their children's education. So maybe I'm advocating a solution in search of a problem.
