Homeschool Indiana

  In this episode of Homeschool Indiana, Kylene Varner talks with Joel Grewe from Project Pathfinder about the importance of civics education and understanding how government works. Joel shares how hands-on simulations can deepen students’ civic knowledge and give them a better understanding of how government systems affect their everyday lives. Discover how Project Pathfinder helps prepare young Americans to become informed and engaged citizens - and how your student can get involved.   KEYWORDS civics education, government systems, homeschooling, electoral college, parliamentary system, citizenship, youth engagement, Project Pathfinder, American government, IAHE   TAKEAWAYS Hands-on experience can give students an in-depth understanding of how government affects their lives Understanding the history of our government helps us understand why it works the way it does today The Electoral College plays an essential role in our presidential elections Rules and traditions can shape a country’s government Civics helps us understand what citizenship looks like, how we can engage, and why and how the system is built the way it is   Record a Question or a Comment for the Podcast >>> https://iahe.net/homeschool-indiana-podcast/    Support the work of the IAHE by becoming a member today >>> https://iahe.net/join/    Join the conversation! >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAHEchat/    Learn more about Project Pathfinder and explore their programs >>> https://projectpathfinder.net/   Interested in the upcoming civics simulation? Go here for more info >>> https://iahe.net/civics-simulation/

In this Homeschool Indiana episode, Tara interviews Alex Newman, one of the keynote speakers for the IAHE’s 40th annual Homeschool Convention in 2027. Alex is an award-winning international journalist, author, educator, and speaker. They discuss the history of education, the threats posed by UNESCO, and the importance of defending homeschooling freedom. Join us for this insightful conversation aimed at empowering homeschool families to understand and protect their rights.   KEYWORDS homeschooling, education reform, Common Core, school choice, IAHE, homeschooling freedom, education history, UNESCO   TAKEAWAYS Homeschooling is a biblical calling and a fundamental right. International organizations like UNESCO aim to standardize education globally. School choice often leads to government control, not true parental freedom. Parents should actively participate in policy discussions and support research. The homeschool community is growing and becoming a powerful force for change.   Record a Question or a Comment for the Podcast >>> https://iahe.net/homeschool-indiana-podcast/  Support the work of the IAHE by becoming a member today >>> https://iahe.net/join/  Join the conversation! >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAHEchat/  Learn more about NHERI and their research >>> https://nheri.org/    

 In this episode of Homeschool Indiana, Tara and Kylene discuss Kylene’s homeschool journey, including her personal experiences, the challenges faced, and the decisions made along the way. They explore the dynamics of family life, the importance of community support, and the preparations for college as Kylene's oldest daughter approaches graduation. The conversation emphasizes the sacrifices made for homeschooling and the value of learning and growing as a family.   KEYWORDS homeschooling, education, family, college preparation, parenting, personal growth, family dynamics, homeschooling journey, IAHE, Indiana   TAKEAWAYS   Family routines foster strong connections among family members. Homeschooling requires transparency and adaptability in educational approaches. Scholarship opportunities are available for homeschoolers Parents are encouraged to be confident in their homeschooling choices despite external opinions. The conversation underscores the value of lifelong learning and personal growth.   Record a Question or a Comment for the Podcast >>> https://iahe.net/homeschool-indiana-podcast/  Support the work of the IAHE by becoming a member today >>> https://iahe.net/join/  Join the conversation! >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAHEchat/  Stay informed about legislation that could affect homeschool families and see how IAHE Action is protecting those families>>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/931827063569402

In this final episode of season three of the Homeschool Indiana podcast, hosts Tara Bentley and Amy Bragdon reflect on their experiences throughout the season, discussing the importance of educational freedom, insights gained from various conversations and conferences, and the significance of self-care. They celebrate milestones in homeschooling, including the 40th IAHE convention and the 30th year of their magazine, while emphasizing the need for community support and perseverance in the face of challenges.   KEYWORDS homeschooling, homeschool freedom, IAHE, educational freedom, podcast,  community support   TAKEAWAYS Conversations with other homeschoolers revealed both similarities and differences in experiences. Educational freedom is a crucial topic for homeschoolers to understand. Self-care is essential for both parents and children in the homeschooling journey. Attending conferences can provide valuable insights for both parents and children. Community support is vital for the homeschooling movement. Perseverance is key in navigating the challenges of homeschooling.   Record a Question or a Comment for the Podcast >>> https://iahe.net/homeschool-indiana-podcast/  Support the work of the IAHE by becoming a member today >>> https://iahe.net/join/  Join the conversation! >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAHEchat/

In this episode of Homeschool Indiana, Tara and Kylene explore recent legislative developments, including Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, the emergence of Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), and the new Trump Savings Accounts. They discuss their implications for homeschooling families and how to navigate these changes while protecting educational freedom.   KEYWORDS IAHE, Homeschooling, SGOs, Trump Savings Accounts, Education Policy, Indiana, Federal Legislation, School Choice TAKEAWAYS SGOs are expanding to include homeschoolers, but eligibility varies by organization. Parents should research SGOs thoroughly before participating. Government funding for homeschooling is controversial and can lead to increased regulation. Trump Savings Accounts are still in development, with many details yet to be finalized.   Record a Question or a Comment for the Podcast >>> https://iahe.net/homeschool-indiana-podcast/  Support the work of the IAHE by becoming a member today >>> https://iahe.net/join/  Join the conversation! >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAHEchat/  Stay informed about legislation that could affect homeschool families and see how IAHE Action is protecting those families>>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/931827063569402 Stay informed about current Indiana legislative sessions and bills - and contact your rep>>> https://iga.in.gov/

In this episode of Homeschool Indiana, Renton Rathbun shares his journey from secular educator to homeschooling advocate, emphasizing the importance of worldview in education and the role of faith in shaping the next generation. Discover practical insights on integrating a biblical worldview into all subjects and maintaining strong parent-child relationships in homeschooling.   KEYWORDS homeschooling, biblical worldview, education, faith, Christian education, IAHE TAKEAWAYS Parents are the best people to teach their kids because they know their kids the best and are invested in their education.  Education is not just data transfer - it’s about relationships and knowledge Teaching our kids a biblical worldview teaches them that they need God for everything and He is in everything. Relying on AI can lead to a loss of critical thinking skills. Teaching our kids how to read the Bible and apply it is one of the most important things we can do.   Record a Question or a Comment for the Podcast >>> https://iahe.net/homeschool-indiana-podcast/  Support the work of the IAHE by becoming a member today >>> https://iahe.net/join/  Join the conversation! >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAHEchat/  Explore resources for homeschool families>>> https://homefrontfamilies.com/ Visit Renton’s website and listen to his podcast here>>> https://rentonrathbun.com/

In this episode of the Homeschool Indiana podcast, Tara interviews Timothy Knotts, a board member of Connecticut’s state homeschool association. Timothy shares insights on the recent legislative challenges faced by homeschoolers in Connecticut, the importance of defending homeschool freedom, and how community activism and political engagement can make a difference.   KEYWORDS homeschooling, homeschool legislation, homeschool freedom, Connecticut, education law, homeschool advocacy, homeschooling laws, homeschool community, legislative fight, IAHE   TAKEAWAYS Staying informed about proposed legislation is important for protecting homeschool freedom and parental rights. Connecticut passed legislation restricting homeschool freedom and requiring annual registration. The new legislation raises concerns about due process for homeschool families. Legislation like this can happen anywhere. Critics of the legislation say this is about maintaining public school enrollment numbers. Record a Question or a Comment for the Podcast >>> https://iahe.net/homeschool-indiana-podcast/  Support the work of the IAHE by becoming a member today >>> https://iahe.net/join/  Join the conversation! >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAHEchat/ 

  In this episode of Homeschool Indiana, host Amy Bragdon and Amanda Runge reminisce about their own experiences growing up as homeschool students. They share memories and laughter as they reflect on what homeschooling looked like when they were kids and discuss how the homeschool world has changed over the years. Amy and Amanda also talk about what it’s like now that they’re homeschooling their own children, offering encouragement to today’s homeschooling families along the way.   KEYWORDS homeschooling, second-generation homeschoolers, homeschooling journey, homeschooling memories, homeschool challenges, homeschool community, homeschooling tips, homeschool success, IAHE   TAKEAWAYS Homeschooling lets families tailor schedules and learning to their children’s needs Homeschooled kids have many opportunities to learn beyond the classroom The growing homeschool community offers co-ops, sports, and other activities not available in the early days of homeschooling.  Homeschooling gives kids time to pursue their interests.   Record a Question or a Comment for the Podcast >>> https://iahe.net/homeschool-indiana-podcast/  Support the work of the IAHE by becoming a member today >>> https://iahe.net/join/  Join the conversation! >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAHEchat/  Check out Cathy Duffy’s Homeschool Curriculum Reviews>>> https://cathyduffyreviews.com/

In this episode of Homeschool Indiana, host Amy Bragdon speaks with Kimberly Farley, Vice President of Operations at the Classic Learning Test (CLT). They discuss the purpose and philosophy behind the CLT, which serves as an alternative to traditional college entrance exams like the ACT and SAT. The conversation covers the structure and accessibility of the tests, the importance of analytics for homeschoolers, scholarship opportunities, and the shift in standardized testing. They emphasize the significance of reading and critical thinking in education and how the CLT aligns with the values of homeschooling families.   KEYWORDS Classic Learning Test, CLT, homeschooling, college entrance exams, standardized testing, scholarship opportunities, reading comprehension, critical thinking, IAHE   TAKEAWAYS The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is an alternative to ACT and SAT. The test includes timeless texts to assess reading, grammar, writing, and mathematics. Homeschoolers find CLT beneficial as it aligns with their educational philosophy. Analytics from testing can help parents identify strengths and weaknesses in their children's education. Scholarship opportunities are available for high-scoring CLT students. The mission of CLT is to reconnect knowledge and virtue in education.   Record a Question or a Comment for the Podcast >>> https://iahe.net/homeschool-indiana-podcast/  Support the work of the IAHE by becoming a member today >>> https://iahe.net/join/  Join the conversation! >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAHEchat/  For more info on the upcoming homeschool conference or to register>>> https://iahe.net/events-page/homeschool-conference/ Learn more about the CLT>>> https://www.cltexam.com/

In this engaging episode of the Homeschool Indiana podcast, Dr. Jay Wile, founder of the Berean Builders science curriculum, shares his journey from a science enthusiast to a homeschooling advocate, emphasizing the importance of pursuing passions, understanding the history of science, and integrating faith into science education. Homeschooling parents will receive practical advice on balancing interests and core subjects, and helping their children prepare for college or life beyond school.   KEYWORDS homeschooling, science education, faith and science, homeschooling passions, curriculum advice, college prep, homeschooling tips, Berean Builders, homeschool science, IAHE   TAKEAWAYS Science explored through faith helps us appreciate God’s creation. The early church was pivotal in the development of science.   Understanding the history of science can deepen our appreciation for it. It’s important to balance pursuing interests with core subjects. Exploring passions can teach valuable lessons. Part of training up children is teaching them to be responsible members of society.   Record a Question or a Comment for the Podcast >>> https://iahe.net/homeschool-indiana-podcast/  Support the work of the IAHE by becoming a member today >>> https://iahe.net/join/  Join the conversation! >>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/IAHEchat/  Visit the Berean Builders website>>> https://bereanbuilders.com/ecomm/