3 Questions on School Choice Vouchers for Homeschool Families

While on the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to include homeschoolers in his school choice voucher program. Now that he won the election, Alicia Bayer, a homeschool blogger and mother to five children living in rural Minnesota, took an in-depth look at how his promise may impact your homeschool family. Take a look at the three things you should know about President-Elect Trump’s homeschool vouchers plan:

What did Trump propose?
Speaking at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C., in September, Trump proposed $12,000 in school choice funds for every disadvantaged student in America. “The money will follow the student to the public, private, or religious school that is best for them and their family,” he said.

In comparison, one source estimates that homeschoolers currently average spending approximately $600-$900 on each child per year on curriculum and other homeschooling materials.

Who is eligible?
Only homeschooling families making less than $20,000 per year would qualify.

How have HSLDA and homeschoolers responded to the idea?
While a few homeschoolers appreciated the concept, a majority were in favor of staying completely removed from the government’s role in the education of homeschool children.

“While we have not seen the final plan, and therefore cannot address the accuracy of such concerns, HSLDA will continue to oppose any attempt by Congress or the executive branch to give government money to homeschoolers,” wrote HSLDA, “because we believe this is outside the constitutional authority given to the federal government and government funds often carry stipulations that limit homeschoolers’ curriculum choices.”

Homeschool mom and blogger Christine Field agreed with HSLDA’s assessment of the proposal.

“Private institutions, including homeschoolers, are free to believe and behave according to their conscience,” said Field. “Federal funding would negate or compromise this freedom.”