Bill Filed to Let Home Schoolers Take Classes at Local Public Schools
H.B. 1208 filed today by Rep. Mark Lowery (R-Maumelle) would let home schooled and private school students enroll in classes at their local public schools.
This actually is not a new concept; in fact, some public schools in Arkansas have let home schoolers enroll in public school courses for a number of years.
Currently, executive memos from the Arkansas Department of Education along with rules and regulations from the State Board of Education have allowed home schoolers to enroll in some public school courses. In return, public schools receive additional funding from the state.
H.B. 1208 codifies that practice by writing it into state law, and it expands it to include private school students.
This means a home schooler who wants to take, for example, a more advanced math or science course–such trigonometry or physics–may be able to do so through his or her local public school. Likewise, if a private school student wants to take a course that is not offered at his or her school–such as a certain foreign language–taking that course from the local public school may be an option.
It’s important to note H.B. 1208 does not require public schools to open their doors to home schoolers; the program is optional for all school districts, but schools who participate will receive additional public funding from the state.
H.B. 1208 gives families throughout Arkansas more flexibility in helping their children receive the best education possible. That’s a good thing.
Rep. Jane English (R-North Little Rock) has filed a bill that would give tax breaks to home schoolers.
Family Council has always been a strong supporter of home schooling in Arkansas. Our Education Alliance office helps home school families every day. We provide everything from information on getting started as a home schooler to high school transcripts and graduation ceremonies.