SB625: Bad for Homeschoolers!
Have you heard about SB625?
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It is a 15-page-long bad bill, with an emergency clause attached,
for homeschoolers!
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It’s a supposed clean-up bill for the 2023 LEARNS Act which created Arkansas’ school voucher program.
It places NEW limits on what voucher money can be used for.
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See the sponsors and their contact information below:
Senator Breanne Davis
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(501) 682-6107
Rep. Keith Brooks
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(501) 744-6080
keith.brooks@arkansashouse.org
So, is the LEARNS Act turning sour? Is there real freedom? NO!
SB625 is a dictatorial bill that could compromise homeschooling freedom.
This looks like most of the money will now go to the charter schools! It’s discrimination, plain and simple.
Homeschooling advocates argue that the bill’s provisions may inadvertently:
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restrict educational freedom and
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impose challenges for families choosing to educate their children at home.
SB625 – TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
Here is the history of the bill. It has been rushed through the Senate.
So, why is this a bad bill?
There is an immediate increase of bureaucracy: The new compliance measures and oversight could introduce additional administrative burdens for homeschooling families, making the program more complex to navigate. So, there’s expanded oversight and restrictions.
Potential for disqualification: Stricter eligibility and usage rules may lead to more families being disqualified from the program, either due to administrative errors or differing interpretations of appropriate fund usage.
Reduced flexibility: The emphasis on academic expenditures may limit families’ ability to use funds for a broader range of educational experiences, potentially undermining the personalized approach that is central to homeschooling.
Application and Compliance Requirements: The bill mandates a standardized application process and requires parents to agree to certain terms, including not enrolling their child full-time in public school while participating in the program .
Let’s do our BEST to protect and safeguard homeschooling because we do not want the state to take over raising our children.
Why should we value homeschooling? Here are several good points to consider:
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Focuses on Values and Beliefs
— Parents can incorporate their faith, their beliefs, and moral instruction into the daily school curriculum.
— Families can ensure their children are being taught in a way that aligns with their worldview.
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Stronger Family Bonds
— Homeschooling often allows for more quality time between parents and children.
— Siblings may become closer through shared learning experiences.
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Customized Learning for the Child
— Parents can tailor the curriculum to fit the child’s learning style, pace, and interests.
— Kids can spend more time on difficult subjects and move faster through easier ones.
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Academic Advantage
— Many homeschoolers outperform their public school peers on standardized tests.
— Lessons can be more rigorous or advanced if the student is capable.
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Fewer Distractions
— At home, there are usually fewer behavioral problems and peer-related distractions.
— Kids may be less influenced by negative peer pressure.
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Flexible Schedule for the Family
— Families can set their own routines and vacation times.
— Learning doesn’t have to be confined to the traditional school year or hours.
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Life Skills
— Homeschooling often allows for more real-world experiences like cooking, budgeting, or volunteering.
— Kids may have more time to explore hobbies, internships, or entrepreneurial interests.
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Safer Environment
— Parents have more control over their child’s physical and emotional safety.
— Bullying, school violence, or exposure to inappropriate materials are less likely to happen.
In closing, this bill does NOT ensure responsible use of public funds, but instead it:
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directs money to charter schools and
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restricts fund usage.
The bad bill now goes on to the House Education Committee.
The Arkansas legislative session ends April 16th, and this bill needs to be stopped in its tracks.
Please reach out TODAY and ask the representatives to vote “NO” on SB625:
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Representative Keith Brooks, Chair |
(501) 744-6080 |
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Representative Brit McKenzie, Vice Chair |
(479) 644-9001 |
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Representative Wade Andrews |
(870) 818-7067 |
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Representative Sonia Eubanks Barker |
870-814-7605 |
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Representative Lincoln Barnett |
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Representative Rick Beck |
501-912-1441 |
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Representative Karilyn Brown |
501-580-9000 |
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Representative Bruce Cozart |
501-627-3232 |
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Representative Hope Duke |
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Representative Tony Furman |
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Representative Denise Garner |
(479) 283-5050 |
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Representative Diana Gonzales Worthen |
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Representative Julie Mayberry |
(501) 888-3522 |
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Representative Austin McCollum |
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Representative Jessie McGruder |
(870) 817-2112 |
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Representative Stephen Meeks |
501-314-9250 |
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Representative Jason Nazarenko |
(931) 627-5056 |
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Representative Stetson Painter |
(501) 733-3203 |
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Representative DeAnn Vaught |
870-832-2638 |
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Representative Steven Walker |
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