Louisiana lawmakers narrowly rejected a proposal Wednesday to remove the state’s authority to approve homeschool programs after critics said the measure would have left students who are educated at home with little state oversight.
Under current law, homeschool families must apply for state approval for their children to qualify for state scholarships and earn diplomas recognized by state universities. But House Bill 550 by Rep. Beryl Amedée, R-Houma, would require families simply to notify the state if they plan to homeschool.
On Wednesday, the Louisiana House voted 51-43 against the measure.
Some lawmakers questioned why homeschool students should receive a state-recognized diploma like their public and private school counterparts if there were no checks on what they learn.
“We have certified programs for a reason,” Rep. Tammy Phelps, D-Shreveport, said during discussion. “Please just think about why some measures are in place.”
About 40,000 children in Louisiana attend homeschools and small unregistered private schools, a number that has steadily increased since the pandemic.
To receive state approval, homeschool families must show their programs are of comparable quality to public schools, which they can do by submitting test scores, a teacher statement or curriculum materials.
Amedée and other homeschool advocates argued that the requirements add unnecessary burdens to families and the Louisiana board of education, which approves homeschool programs.
Amedée, who homeschooled her children, argued the “stamp of approval” from the state was not needed. She said students in states that require homeschool approval perform no better than their peers in states without that requirement.
“If being approved by the state actually meant that things would be excellent, then our public schools would be flawless,” she said during the House debate. “Approval by the state doesn’t add anything extra to a homeschool.”