Lawmakers don’t have to ban homeschooling to end its independence. With school choice bills sweeping the nation, vouchers and ESAs offer tempting funds—along with oversight that could quietly reshape homeschooling into a state-approved program.
Here's the thing about Elizabeth Bartholet and her suspicion of homeschooling parents. If a parent is not paid to homeschool, there's no incentive to keep them home but for parental love.
If parents are paid to homeschool, then many grifters may start to homeschool and I'm looking at you, Adam and Steve.
This article lays out the situation very well! As someone who got involved (sorta) in the school choice debate in South Dakota last year, I saw that indeed, the $$ does divide the homeschool community.
My biggest concern is that homeschool will lose its creative edge due to curating (delegating) and that families will miss out on the relationship building that happens when you need to make it work on your own (or with few/limited resources).
I would love to find a way to support home school and private schools in other ways though, because it is ridiculous that taxpayers pay so much for the government education option, even when not all students use that option. Why not just give families some kind of tax credit if they don't use the gov't system? I know it would look different in every state, but that would not require all the administration that ESA's need. It's what I'm hoping for in SD at least - as I will be fighting against ESAs.
I may be having kids of my own soon, and if I do, I will homeschool—there's no question. I intend to refuse ESA and similar funds completely, always, no exceptions, for the reasons you've laid out. However, my kids (if they exist) wouldn't start homeschooling until ~2032. Do you think I'll still be allowed to do it my way by then as long as I refuse all state "aid"? I'm in Arizona.
I wish I had a crystal ball...I certainly hope so, but given the trajectory, I'd be working with the people in your state to push back as hard as possible on Horne and the things he's pushing already, and/or consider states with fewer restrictions so you can stay out ahead of it. I'm raising the alarm to encourage more people to fight NOW--many people are complacent, or they believe those who say the vouchers/ESAs are a step towards "more freedom," and that's just demonstrably untrue.
Florida is significantly better so far--as a state with school choice it still seems to have the fewest strings. Of course once DeSantis is no longer governor that will likely change.
Sorry I thought you meant for TN--in Florida, the money is dollar-for-dollar out of the education budget, so they are unique in that they are not adding anything to the budget whatsoever. The money goes with the child. Public schools are still getting the rest b/c the budget is for more than $8K per kid, but unlike AZ and TN, they are not promising to keep public school budgets afloat--yet....This is where the politicking will come in. I wouldn't bet my child's school career on that remaining the same; democrats are already fighting it.
Yes—that’s a separate article I’ll need to write at some point; for right now, I indicate that it is NOT a step in the “right” direction for TN or any state b/c it’s already baked into the bill a promise to fund BOTH public and private schools in perpetuity. So those arguing it won’t hurt financially, as if it will defund the public schools, are incorrect. The same is true in AZ where they haven’t even got such a guarantee in the bill—it’s blown their budget out of the water. I think I have mentioned that in my other school choice articles (about AZ), but you’re right, I need to write something specifically addressing the financial impact of these programs b/c most people are nurturing the delusion that they either DO save the state money, or will. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Honestly Tim, you do not have to go through any government or state funded agency. There are so many resources out there. I get my curriculum from so many different places. I also create my own lesson plans using ChatGPT. This year we are switching over to a classical education with our schooling will be Christ centered. Then in October we will begin adding in Latin as well. Do I know Latin? No. But I am willing to learn with my kids. Just remember, that you do not need a degree, just a willingness to learn and share that knowledge along with them.
I appreciate your warning. When I first heard of school choice options, I thought they would help some families escape bad schools who wouldn't otherwise be able to.
But more I learn about it, more I see that chains. A few months ago, I wrote a pro/con post on this topic.
My kids graduated in 2018 and 2023.
However, I informally mentor local homeschoolers. Some participate in the public school programs we have in Washington state. These programs were originally created for at-risk youth.
Then the schools discovered homeschoolers could be a cash cow for them--only attending a few hours a week but the school receiving halftime or even full time funds for each student--and these programs were marketed as "homeschool" programs. I warn them about how the school can control some of their curriculum. But they feel insecure teaching their kids independently.
Your point about a curated education is interesting and valid - I see it here in Arizona. But I think one point you’re missing is that here in Arizona, which ranks almost bottom of the nation for educational performance, thanks to universal ESA the number of parents homeschooling jumped from 20,000 in 2020 to over 100,000 in 2026. That’s a huge win for the children as they have access to education that fits their needs, and also it means they don’t have to be indoctrinated by school agendas. That increase shows just how unhappy parents are with the state of public education in AZ - ESAs give parents options.
Oklahoma does not have universal ESA. It offers a tax refund of up to $1000 on approved educational expenses for homeschool and $6000 for private school. In my county there are literally zero oversights. I don't need to notify anyone that we decide to homeschool, there is absolutely no testing or recording required.
South Carolina sounds like they will include homeschoolers in ETSF funding. But it really doesn’t. If you homeschool under options 1, 2, or 3 you cannot take the funds. Surprise, there are only those 3 options. At least that’s my understanding. I have both homeschooled and private schooled kids in SC and have looked into it and talked to lots of people.
No its not bait, its power. Wield it for good and even wield that power to change the hooks to fit our cause. If we are so allergic to power and money that we reject it wholesale, we will never win the culture war. They crush us because they take all the power and money and leverage it. Our turn.
Yours is an immoral approach, just so you know. Keep demanding the state take money from others so you can "wield power" is not only wrong, it's twisted b/c you seem to genuinely believe you can separate the money from that coercion.
I did not mean to delete the above comment-the commenter said TN doesn't expand to homeschooling. I am researching that now to confirm. I know it was in the expansion bill and was informed it had passed. I will confirm and if necessary, update
I responded to your comment in your DMs (accidentally deleted it) and I deleted the misinformation from the article, with an UPDATE at the top. Thank you for calling that to my attention.
Here's the thing about Elizabeth Bartholet and her suspicion of homeschooling parents. If a parent is not paid to homeschool, there's no incentive to keep them home but for parental love.
If parents are paid to homeschool, then many grifters may start to homeschool and I'm looking at you, Adam and Steve.
This article lays out the situation very well! As someone who got involved (sorta) in the school choice debate in South Dakota last year, I saw that indeed, the $$ does divide the homeschool community.
My biggest concern is that homeschool will lose its creative edge due to curating (delegating) and that families will miss out on the relationship building that happens when you need to make it work on your own (or with few/limited resources).
I would love to find a way to support home school and private schools in other ways though, because it is ridiculous that taxpayers pay so much for the government education option, even when not all students use that option. Why not just give families some kind of tax credit if they don't use the gov't system? I know it would look different in every state, but that would not require all the administration that ESA's need. It's what I'm hoping for in SD at least - as I will be fighting against ESAs.
I may be having kids of my own soon, and if I do, I will homeschool—there's no question. I intend to refuse ESA and similar funds completely, always, no exceptions, for the reasons you've laid out. However, my kids (if they exist) wouldn't start homeschooling until ~2032. Do you think I'll still be allowed to do it my way by then as long as I refuse all state "aid"? I'm in Arizona.
I wish I had a crystal ball...I certainly hope so, but given the trajectory, I'd be working with the people in your state to push back as hard as possible on Horne and the things he's pushing already, and/or consider states with fewer restrictions so you can stay out ahead of it. I'm raising the alarm to encourage more people to fight NOW--many people are complacent, or they believe those who say the vouchers/ESAs are a step towards "more freedom," and that's just demonstrably untrue.
Are there significantly better states in this regard? I was under the impression that Arizona was still among the least unfree.
Surprisingly, Michigan is VERY free with regard to homeschooling.
Florida is significantly better so far--as a state with school choice it still seems to have the fewest strings. Of course once DeSantis is no longer governor that will likely change.
Isn't the program financially devastating the state?
Sorry I thought you meant for TN--in Florida, the money is dollar-for-dollar out of the education budget, so they are unique in that they are not adding anything to the budget whatsoever. The money goes with the child. Public schools are still getting the rest b/c the budget is for more than $8K per kid, but unlike AZ and TN, they are not promising to keep public school budgets afloat--yet....This is where the politicking will come in. I wouldn't bet my child's school career on that remaining the same; democrats are already fighting it.
Yes—that’s a separate article I’ll need to write at some point; for right now, I indicate that it is NOT a step in the “right” direction for TN or any state b/c it’s already baked into the bill a promise to fund BOTH public and private schools in perpetuity. So those arguing it won’t hurt financially, as if it will defund the public schools, are incorrect. The same is true in AZ where they haven’t even got such a guarantee in the bill—it’s blown their budget out of the water. I think I have mentioned that in my other school choice articles (about AZ), but you’re right, I need to write something specifically addressing the financial impact of these programs b/c most people are nurturing the delusion that they either DO save the state money, or will. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Honestly Tim, you do not have to go through any government or state funded agency. There are so many resources out there. I get my curriculum from so many different places. I also create my own lesson plans using ChatGPT. This year we are switching over to a classical education with our schooling will be Christ centered. Then in October we will begin adding in Latin as well. Do I know Latin? No. But I am willing to learn with my kids. Just remember, that you do not need a degree, just a willingness to learn and share that knowledge along with them.
It's always baffled me why parents sign up for the government programs to homeschool their kids when the government IS the problem.
I appreciate your warning. When I first heard of school choice options, I thought they would help some families escape bad schools who wouldn't otherwise be able to.
But more I learn about it, more I see that chains. A few months ago, I wrote a pro/con post on this topic.
My kids graduated in 2018 and 2023.
However, I informally mentor local homeschoolers. Some participate in the public school programs we have in Washington state. These programs were originally created for at-risk youth.
Then the schools discovered homeschoolers could be a cash cow for them--only attending a few hours a week but the school receiving halftime or even full time funds for each student--and these programs were marketed as "homeschool" programs. I warn them about how the school can control some of their curriculum. But they feel insecure teaching their kids independently.
Your point about a curated education is interesting and valid - I see it here in Arizona. But I think one point you’re missing is that here in Arizona, which ranks almost bottom of the nation for educational performance, thanks to universal ESA the number of parents homeschooling jumped from 20,000 in 2020 to over 100,000 in 2026. That’s a huge win for the children as they have access to education that fits their needs, and also it means they don’t have to be indoctrinated by school agendas. That increase shows just how unhappy parents are with the state of public education in AZ - ESAs give parents options.
Also I forgot to add that ESA funds can be used for private schools, not just homeschooling so that also gives parents more options
Oklahoma does not have universal ESA. It offers a tax refund of up to $1000 on approved educational expenses for homeschool and $6000 for private school. In my county there are literally zero oversights. I don't need to notify anyone that we decide to homeschool, there is absolutely no testing or recording required.
South Carolina sounds like they will include homeschoolers in ETSF funding. But it really doesn’t. If you homeschool under options 1, 2, or 3 you cannot take the funds. Surprise, there are only those 3 options. At least that’s my understanding. I have both homeschooled and private schooled kids in SC and have looked into it and talked to lots of people.
No its not bait, its power. Wield it for good and even wield that power to change the hooks to fit our cause. If we are so allergic to power and money that we reject it wholesale, we will never win the culture war. They crush us because they take all the power and money and leverage it. Our turn.
Yours is an immoral approach, just so you know. Keep demanding the state take money from others so you can "wield power" is not only wrong, it's twisted b/c you seem to genuinely believe you can separate the money from that coercion.
You might wanna pray harder.
I have updated the article.
I did not mean to delete the above comment-the commenter said TN doesn't expand to homeschooling. I am researching that now to confirm. I know it was in the expansion bill and was informed it had passed. I will confirm and if necessary, update
TN does NOT include homeschoolers. We fought to remove ourselves successfully.
I responded to your comment in your DMs (accidentally deleted it) and I deleted the misinformation from the article, with an UPDATE at the top. Thank you for calling that to my attention.