Arkansas Homeschoolers Recognized as 2025 National Merit Scholar Semifinalists

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Last week the National Merit Scholarship Program recognized 135 high school seniors from Arkansas as National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the students will go on to compete for nearly 7,000 scholarships worth approximately $26 million.

Among the semifinalists named this year were two home schoolers: Eli Colton of Bella Vista and Charles D. Raith of Siloam Springs.

Students vying for the National Merit Scholarships apply by taking the PSAT exam in the fall of their junior year.

The Arkansas Department of Education has taken steps to increase home schoolers’ access to the PSAT.

To be named as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist is a tremendous honor. Please join us in congratulating these two home school students on their achievement!

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Deadline to File the Notice of Intent to Home School is Thursday

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Thursday is the deadline to file the Notice of Intent to Home School in Arkansas.

By law, home schoolers in Arkansas must file the annual Notice of Intent form with their local public school district on or before August 15. The form simply informs the district superintendent that the family intends to home school in the coming school year. The law also requires home schoolers to provide basic information, such as the grades of their children, when they complete the Notice of Intent.

In the past, attorneys at the Arkansas Department of Human Services have told us firsthand that having a Notice of Intent to Home School on file with the school district is a home schooler’s best defense against accusations of educational neglect or truancy.

If a social worker with an ax to grind against home schooling shows up on your doorstep, a properly filed Notice of Intent form may be all that stands between you and a bad day in court. It may seem like just a piece of paper, but it’s a priceless piece of protection if someone accuses you of neglecting your children.

The 2024-2025 school year’s Notice of Intent form is available for download here. Home schoolers can simply print it, fill it out, and mail it or deliver it to the local public school superintendent’s office.

Home schoolers may also file the Notice of Intent electronically online. More information about how to do that is available here.

Home schoolers who encounter any difficulty completing the Notice of Intent online or on paper can contact the Arkansas Department of Education’s Home School Office at 501-683-3162.

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

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Arkansas Hosts Homeschool Family EFA Information Webinar

Home School,

The following is an email announcement from the Arkansas Department of Education regarding home school access to Education Freedom Accounts.

As a homeschooling family in Arkansas, we want to express our gratitude for your involvement in the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program. We are thrilled about the opportunities this program offers families to choose educational options that best meet their needs. The funds available through the EFA program empower you to deliver a high-quality, customized education for your family.

As we enter into the start of the school year, we recognize that you may have questions about the program, so we’re hosting two webinars to address the most frequently asked questions and provide you with the information you need.

Home School Family Webinar #1
Thursday, August 15, 7pm
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eChlqM29SGqUACAfZjzAcw

The webinar is limited to 1,000 participants, so please register as soon as possible to secure your spot. If demand exceeds capacity, we will schedule an additional live webinar.

This webinar will cover topics such as:

  • How can I confirm my approval status?
  • When will I receive my EFA funds?
  • What is the funding amount available for homeschooling families?
  • What are the eligible expenses?
  • How will I know if what I want to buy is eligible?
  • Can I be reimbursed for expenses I’ve already incurred?
  • Answers to your specific questions

Home School Family Webinar #2
Thursday, August 22, 7pm
Link will be provided next Monday, August 19

This webinar will address the following topics:

  • What is the process for purchasing eligible items with the funds in my account?
  • How can I be reimbursed for eligible expenses I’ve already incurred?
  • What is a digital debit card, and how does it work?
  • Are tutoring or therapy services allowed, and can I choose any provider?
  • How do I pay for services from a micro school, co-op, or support group?
  • Answers to your specific questions

If you are unable to attend a webinar or would like to revisit the information shared during the webinar, a recording will be available at www.dese.link/efa

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