Bill Filed to Let Home Schoolers Take Classes at Local Public Schools

Home School, Legislature

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.

You Can Read H.B. 1208 Here.

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AR Legislators Approve Resolution Denouncing Obama Admin. Guidelines

Legislature, ,

On Wednesday afternoon legislators on the Arkansas Legislative Council approved a resolution encouraging Arkansas public schools and colleges to disregard “guidelines” issued by the Obama Administration last Friday.

The resolution affirms comments from Gov. Hutchinson and Attorney General Rutledge–both of whom have encouraged Arkansas schools to disregard the federal government’s “guidelines.”

The “guidelines” in question center on, among other things, access to restrooms, locker rooms, showers, and similar facilities on school campuses. The guidelines effectively say to continue receiving federal funds schools must let biological males who claim to be female access women’s restrooms–and vice versa.

The resolution passed today says,

“[T]he Legislative Council supports the statements made by Governor Hutchinson and Attorney General Rutledge and encourages local school districts and institutions of higher education to disregard the guidance issued by the United States Department of Justice and United States Department of Education on May 13, 2016.”

You can read the entire resolution here.

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Legislators Pass Bill Authorizing 10 Commandments Monument

Legislature

Yesterday the Arkansas House of Representatives passed S.B. 939, by Senator Jason Rapert, directing the Arkansas Secretary of State to work with a private group to place a monument of the Ten Commandments on the Arkansas Capitol Grounds.

The bill is rooted in a court ruling that determined a similar display was constitutional. The bill passed the House with 72 representatives voting for it; 7 representatives voting against it; 20 representatives not voting; and one representative voting “Present.” You can see how your representative voted here.

The bill has been sent to Governor Hutchinson to be signed into law.

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