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Home Schoolers Express Concern Over Proposal to Prohibit EFA Spending on Team Sports

Dec 8, 2025Jerry CoxHome SchoolHome School, LEARNS, Tim Tebow

The Arkansas Department of Education has proposed new rules governing the LEARNS Act’s Educational Freedom Account program.

Family Council and its home school division, the Education Alliance, are encouraging home schoolers to review these proposed rules and submit any comments on the rules to the Department. The rules are available at https://adecm.ade.arkansas.gov/Attachments/6CARpt.35-_EFA_Program_-_Public_Comment_Draft_164210.pdf.

Several home schoolers have expressed concerns about new prohibitions on EFA funding for team sports in these rules.

These provisions can be located on page 5 under the definition of “Extracurricular activity.”

The language in the rules makes it clear that registration fees, equipment, dues, and any costs associated with club and team sports cannot be paid for with EFA funding.

Under Act 920 of 2025, state law restricts EFA spending on sports and other extracurricular activities to 25% of a student’s annual EFA funding. The proposed rules would go beyond state law by prohibiting EFA money from being spent on team sports at all.

Some home schoolers are concerned that this ban is unfair, because public schools fund team sports with state money.

In addition, there are concerns that this complete prohibition on funding for team sports contradicts the purpose of the program to “provide Arkansas families with more educational options for their children as they seek educational solutions and curricula that fit the needs of their families.” While we have the “Tim Tebow” law that lets home schoolers play for Arkansas public schools if they make the team and otherwise qualify, a different option for team sports may work better for some families.

In addition, new proposed rules on page 4 recognize the value of extracurricular activities that “support the…physical…development of a student” and that have a “developmental purpose that promotes personal growth, discipline, physical health, teamwork, responsibility, or civic engagement.” The restriction on team sports seems to contradict those stated purposes.

Public comments on the proposed EFA rules are due by Tuesday, December 16. Home schoolers can email their comments to ADE.RulesComments@ade.arkansas.gov.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Customers Cry Fowl Over Chick-fil-A’s Same-Sex Marriage Message

Dec 8, 2025Jerry CoxLGBTChick-fil-A, DEI, LGBT, Transgender

A Utah Chick-fil-A franchise recently posted photos celebrating a same-sex marriage, sparking backlash from customers.

The Washington Stand reports the restaurant posted images of two men with the caption “CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HAPPY COUPLE!” The post has since been removed.

This incident highlights ongoing problems with Chick-fil-A’s corporate direction and leadership.

While companies like Walmart, Target, Toyota, John Deere, Tractor Supply, Harley Davidson, and Lowe’s, as well as major financial institutions have rolled back pro-LGBT and DEI policies in response to consumer backlash, Chick-fil-A continues moving in the opposite direction.

The restaurant chain still employs a vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It quietly renamed its DEI program “Better at Together,” but it continues to promote the same DEI principles.

It’s obvious that consumers are tired of pro-LGBT pandering by Corporate America. In 2023, Bud Light managed to single-handedly overthrow itself as the number-one beer in America after sending transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney a novelty can of Bud Light with Mulvaney’s picture on it. Target has quietly replaced its LGBT Pride merchandise, and entertainment giants like Pixar and Disney have removed pro-LGBT elements from their storylines.

Pro-LGBT and DEI initiatives promote flawed ideologies that do not ensure individuals are valued, heard, or included. Employees who hold Biblical views of marriage or gender risk losing their jobs in workplaces that have adopted DEI policies. None of that is good for our economy or our country.

Chick-fil-A would do well to learn from other corporations’ mistakes and abandon its pro-LGBT pandering.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Protecting Children, Defending the First Amendment, and More: A Look Back at the Week

Dec 5, 2025Jerry CoxCurrent EventsUpdate, Weekly Rewind

Here’s a quick recap of the week’s top stories from Family Council and our friends:

From Family Council

Troubling Statistics on Marijuana Use: A recent study shows a troubling number of women use marijuana during pregnancy. Keep Reading.

Arkansas Earns a Good Grade: This year the State of Arkansas received a failing grade that it can be proud of. The radical group Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) gave Arkansas an ‘F’ grade on its 2025 United States Sex Education report card. Keep Reading.

More Countries Protecting Children: New Zealand has joined a growing list of countries protecting children from puberty blockers. Keep Reading.

Defending the First Amendment: In November, Family Council joined 52 other individuals and organizations in an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect basic First Amendment freedoms. Keep Reading.

Illicit Marijuana Still a Problem in Arkansas: On November 18, an Arkansas State Trooper stopped a 2005 Toyota pickup truck near the Arkansas-Oklahoma border for a traffic violation. During a search of the vehicle, troopers discovered approximately 221 pounds of illegal marijuana concealed in several trash bags in the truck bed. Keep Reading.

Promoting Education About Unborn Children: On November 19, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill that would help educate public school students about unborn children. Keep Reading.

Why Socialism Always Fails: Guest Column. Keep Reading.