Resolution Filed Recognizing Home Schooling in Arkansas

Home School, Legislation,
Above: Rep. Cooper presents legislation in this file photo from 2021.

On Monday Rep. Cameron Cooper (R — Romance) filed H.R. 1046 recognizing February 26 as Homeschool Day at the Arkansas State Capitol.

The resolution highlights many of the good things about home schooling and celebrates home schooling’s legacy in Arkansas, saying,

WHEREAS, over thirty thousand (30,000) students were homeschooled in Arkansas during the 2023-2024 school year; and

WHEREAS, homeschooling offers flexibility, efficiency, and effectiveness in teaching students in Arkansas, and this benefit allows homeschooling families to offer increased opportunities for community involvement and service to others for their children; and

WHEREAS, homeschooling is not a one-size-fits-all plan, and the education can be customized to the student’s learning styles and preferences and can be beneficial to students with special needs; and

WHEREAS, homeschooling provides benefits in academics, mental health, physical health, and social development; and

WHEREAS, homeschooling encourages autonomy and independence and allows children to harness their own unique qualities and interests; and

WHEREAS, homeschooling offers opportunities for students to learn entrepreneurship and often to begin working on their own small businesses; and

WHEREAS, homeschooling emphasizes family as a foundation for social development and development of faith; and

WHEREAS, homeschooling is accommodating to special situations and works well for military families, families who travel, and families contending with illness and challenging work schedules; and

WHEREAS, homeschooling parents are able to value an individual student’s potential and focus on this individual potential instead of minimum standards and standardized testing, and these parents are allowed to shape homeschooling so that learning for the students can be reactive to new methods and new concepts regarding positive child development; and

WHEREAS, homeschooling provides for a focus on life skills that students can use as they progress into adulthood as homeschooling allows students to dedicate time to learning anything from cooking to budgeting,

NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:

THAT the House of Representatives recognize February 26, 2025, as Homeschool Day at the State Capitol.

Home schooling in Arkansas has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019 there were a little less than 22,000 homeschoolers in Arkansas. In early 2020, those numbers climbed to 22,249. By 2023, homeschooling had risen to 30,000 students. And last year homeschooling surged again, to 32,767 students.

Family Council has always believed families deserve options when it comes to education. That’s one reason we support home schooling.

Research shows parental involvement generally is tied to better educational outcomes for children. That’s true no matter how families choose to educate their children — but home schooling is particularly good for many families, because it lets them choose the education that’s best for them. That’s good for everyone.

Family Council’s home school division, the Education Alliance, is hosting Home School Day at the Capitol on February 26. You can learn more about this free event here.

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

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Big Banks Walking Back Public Support for DEI

LGBT,

The Wall Street Journal reports big banks such as Citigroup and Morgan Stanley are walking back their public support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.

Many companies established DEI policies and programs some years ago to create an equal playing field for racial and ethnic minorities. However, it did not take long for LGBT groups and others to hijack those policies to promote gender-identity politics and other radical ideologies in the workplace.

As a result, public opinion has shifted against DEI and pro-LGBT activism in the workplace, prompting many companies to change course.

Late last year Walmart rolled back its pro-LGBT diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. Target, Toyota, John Deere, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, Harley Davidson, and other corporations have moved away from DEI as well. Now big banks appear to be prepared to follow suit.

As we have said many times, it’s deeply troubling when multibillion financial institutions use their wealth and influence to promote radical ideologies. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion clearly is unpopular among consumers who are tired of pro-LGBT pandering from Corporate America. It’s good to see banks recognize that fact and reverse course on DEI.

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

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