Homeschool organizations say school vouchers come with 'strings attached'
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Homeschooling organizations said they are seeing more families move to Oklahoma for educational freedom, but some say the Oklahoma Empowerment Act threatens that freedom.
“Their states started with programs like vouchers and ESA’s, and what that does is crack the door for public accountability and it turns your private programs and your private homeschooling into public accountability,” said Karen Cuellar the director for Aspire Academy.
SB 1647 would give each parent between $3,500 and $5,200 to spend on their child’s education. After two amendments, a Senate committee voted 12-8 to advance the bill to the Senate floor.
“The Oklahoma Empowerment Act empowers parents with the ability and resources to find the best educational setting to fit their child’s needs.” Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat said in a statement following the vote.
Although an amendment removed the ability for homeschooled children to qualify for school choice vouchers, it continues the conversation on how homeschooling should be funded. Homeschoolers have long argued for tax credits.
“That money does not come with strings attached or any kind of carrot or public accountability and it isn’t public-funded, it is our own money back to us,” said Cuellar.
Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat also added a cap to the program – families making more than $150,000 don’t qualify.
The bill has received pushback from Democrats and Republicans in rural areas.
A recent poll by NewsChannel 8’s Sinclair sister station in Oklahoma City asked people: “Do you think parents should have the option to put their tax dollars toward private education for their children?”
It found that 48.1% said yes, while 51.9% opposed the idea.