Journalist: Dylan Davis (OSU)
On Saturday, the “Homeschool Facilitation Act” will be presented before the OIL House of Representatives by Rep. Zen Hatling (TCC). The act will install new regulations on how homeschooled students must be registered, what the student must learn and how the students’ education must be recorded.
Firstly, this legislation would require parents or legal guardians who wish to homeschool
their child to submit a “one-time letter of intent” to the local school district board or
superintendent. This letter must indicate the parents’ desire to homeschool their child under
Oklahoma State law, along with the child’s name, age, grade level and the address of the
residence where the child will receive their education.
Secondly, this legislation would require parents and legal guardians who wish to
homeschool their child to meet certain curriculum requirements. These requirements include
ensuring the child receives an education in “basic subjects like reading, writing, history, civics,
math, and science.”
Importantly, this bill does not establish a specific curriculum for homeschool educators to
follow. Instead, the bill states that as long as the parents’ or legal guardians’ chosen curriculum
includes the listed required education, it would be permissible under the proposed law.
If a school district does not believe that the proposed curriculum outlined in the letter of
intent meets the new requirements, it may deny approval of the homeschooling plan. The school
district would also be able to deny approval if it believes the homeschooling plan does not at
least meet local educational standards.
Thirdly, this bill requires parents and legal guardians to create and maintain records of
their child’s education. These documents would be required to be provided if a complaint were
filed against the homeschool educator regarding “educational quality or child welfare.”
Finally, this bill states that there would be no requirement for homeschooled children to
take any state-mandated assessments or standardized tests, unless the parent or legal guardian
voluntarily consents to the plan.
This bill will be presented in the House later today, as Rep. Hatling seeks a majority vote
to pass it. If passed, the bill will be sent to the OIL Senate for another vote.