Two Measures Filed to Restrict Homeschoolers Under EFA Program

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Last week, two bad resolutions authorizing introduction of non-budget measures were filed at the Arkansas Legislature.

The General Assembly convened on Wednesday for its 2026 budget session, and lawmakers are currently reviewing appropriations for the coming fiscal year. During the budget session, legislators can file non-appropriation measures, but those measures cannot be brought up for consideration without a two-thirds vote of the Arkansas House and Senate.

Two identical non-appropriation measures — H.R. 1008 and S.R. 16 — have been filed to restrict homeschoolers participating in the Educational Freedom Account (EFA) program.

Lawmakers created the EFA program in 2023, making it possible for Arkansas students to use public funds to pay for an education at a public or private school or at home. Thousands of students have taken advantage of school choice in Arkansas under this program, and many homeschool families have benefited from it.

H.R. 1008 and S.R. 16 would significantly reduce EFA funding for homeschoolers and implement mandatory assessment scores for students participating in the EFA program.

It’s worth pointing out that lawmakers have rejected homeschool testing legislation in the past.

The State of Arkansas used to require homeschoolers to take a state-mandated test. In 2009, Arkansas’ homeschoolers performed better on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills than 61% – 80% of the students who took that test, nationwide.

According to the 2013-2014 Home School Report from the Arkansas Department of Education, in 2014 homeschoolers in grades 3 – 9 scored anywhere from the 51st percentile to the 65th percentile on that same test.

In fact, homeschoolers in Arkansas performed so well on standardized tests that the Arkansas Legislature finally ended state-mandated homeschool testing in 2015.

H.R. 1008 and S.R. 16 cannot be brought up for consideration without a two-thirds vote of the Arkansas House and Arkansas Senate, and there does not seem to be much interest in these measures among lawmakers at this time.

Family Council and its homeschool division, the Education Alliance, plan to continue monitoring this legislation at the Capitol.

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

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Arkansas Lawmakers Gearing Up for 2026 Budget Session

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The Arkansas Legislature’s 2026 fiscal session will begin at noon on Wednesday, April 8, and lawmakers have already started pre-filing bills. The Arkansas House and Senate probably won’t pass any new laws, but they will set the State’s budget for the coming year.

We are looking forward to working with our friends at the Capitol on two important issues.

First, since 2022 we have worked with lawmakers to secure appropriations for grants to pregnancy help organizations. These pro-life charities provide material support to women with unplanned pregnancies — often free of charge.

Now that abortion is generally prohibited in Arkansas, we want to make it unthinkable and irrelevant as well. Giving women real options besides abortion is one way we can do that. That’s what makes this grant funding so vital.

Second, lawmakers will review appropriations for the Educational Freedom Accounts (EFAs) created by the 2023 LEARNS Act. The funding for these accounts lets students in Arkansas use public money to pay for an education at a public or private school or at home.

Many families may feel trapped by failing public school systems or by one-size-fits-all approaches to education. For those families, the EFA program offers options that help them and their children thrive.

We plan to work with lawmakers to ensure Arkansas’ EFA program treats home schooled students fairly in the coming year.

Look for more news and information about Arkansas’ 2026 budget session at FamilyCouncil.org.

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

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Educational Freedom Funding Tops $128.5M for Second Half of 2025

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Arkansas invested more than $128.5 million in Educational Freedom Account funding during the second half of 2025, according to data on the state’s financial transparency website.

In 2023, lawmakers passed the LEARNS Act overhauling public education in Arkansas.

The Educational Freedom Accounts (EFAs) authorized under the LEARNS Act make it possible for students to use public dollars to pay for an education at a public or private school or through home schooling. Family Council and our homeschool division, the Education Alliance, were pleased to support this good law, because it expands educational opportunities for families.

State data shows from July 1 to December 31 of 2025, Arkansas spent $128,543,373 on Educational Freedom Accounts.

Of that money, approximately $126.7 million went to pay for students’ educations, and $1.8 million went to operating expenses under the program.

EFA spending has been a topic of conversation over the past month. In December Family Council and its homeschool division, the Education Alliance, submitted public comments asking the Arkansas Department of Education to rethink a set of proposed rules prohibiting EFA money from being used for team sports under the LEARNS Act.

The proposed rules said that registration fees, equipment, dues, and any costs associated with club and team sports could not be paid for with EFA funding.

Many homeschoolers expressed concerns that completely prohibiting EFA spending on team sports would be unfair and would fail to track with state law. However, despite opposition, the Department of Education has opted to move forward with implementing the restrictions at this time.

Since the LEARNS Act launched three years ago, thousands of students have taken advantage of school choice in Arkansas. Many families feel that public education has deteriorated over the years. For those families, programs like the LEARNS Act could empower them with real alternatives that help their children succeed. That is part of the reason Family Council has supported the LEARNS Act and the EFA program.

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

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