Dr. Sue Ellen Reed
Superintendent of Public Instruction
on homeschooling in Indiana
[remarks made Saturday March 6, 2004 at the
Indiana Association of Home Educators 19th annual Convention
at the Indianapolis Convention Center]

In 1900 parents spent an average of 8 hours a day in face-to-face contact with their children, instructing and training them and spending time with them.

In 2000, the average parent spent 7 minutes a day in face-to-face contact with their children. Dr. Reed stated that this figure would be much lower if it were not for homeschoolers "pulling up" this already very low average contact time with our children.

Dr. Reed stated that there are three factors that cause a decrease in scholastic performance:
1) Absenteeism - she noted that this is not a problem with homeschoolers!
2) Little to no scholastic resources in the home - a commodity easily found in a home-school!
3) Excessive TV viewing

Dr. Reed stated that she was very honored to speak for another year at the Indiana Homeschoolers Convention, and she proudly supports homeschooling!