Welcome back to our weekly roundup of homeschool news from across the country. This week brings a first-of-its-kind federal scholarship tax credit moving toward launch, a major ESA expansion in Tennessee, two state court rulings shaping where school choice dollars can flow, and new funds landing for families in Texas and Alabama. Here is what homeschool parents need to know.

A First-Ever Federal School Choice Tax Credit Is Coming in 2027

The IRS has confirmed that starting January 1, 2027, individual taxpayers can claim a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to qualifying Scholarship Granting Organizations that fund K-12 scholarships for low and middle income families. This is the first federal program of its kind. The important catch for families: the credit only applies in states that choose to opt in, and states have been able to file their advance election with the IRS since the start of 2026. Whether your state participates will determine whether these scholarships reach your family. It is worth watching your state’s decision closely over the coming months.

Source: IRS and EdChoice explainer.

Texas Education Freedom Accounts Go Live, Funds Available July 1

Texas has officially launched its brand new Education Freedom Accounts program, awarding more than 100,000 students for its first year. Funds become available July 1, 2026 through the Odyssey platform. Homeschooled students who are not enrolled in a participating private school receive $2,000 annually, while private school students receive about $10,474. The first application window in February and March has closed, so families who missed it should watch for the next cycle. If you are a Texas family, confirm the next application window on the official program site.

Source: Texas Education Freedom Accounts. Please verify the homeschool funding amount and date on the official portal before making plans.

Tennessee Expands Its Education Freedom Scholarship to 35,000 Seats

Governor Bill Lee signed an expansion into law on May 7, 2026, adding 15,000 seats to bring Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship to 35,000 total scholarships for the 2026-27 school year. The growth follows strong demand, with the program drawing more than 56,000 applications, up nearly 32 percent from its first year. Families must reapply every year. This is primarily a private school scholarship program, so homeschooling families should confirm current eligibility rules on the state site before applying.

Source: Tennessee Department of Education.

Alabama CHOOSE Act Funds Land July 1, Including a Homeschool Track

Alabama’s CHOOSE Act funds for the 2026-27 school year are scheduled to distribute to ClassWallet accounts on July 1, 2026. Homeschool students can receive $2,000 per student, capped at $4,000 per family, compared with $7,000 for students attending a participating school. The 2026-27 cycle opened to families earning up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. As always, verify the homeschool amount and exact deposit date on the official CHOOSE Act site, since the July 1 date is the program wide date.

Source: Alabama CHOOSE Act.

Idaho Supreme Court Upholds the State’s Parental Choice Tax Credit

On February 5, 2026, the Idaho Supreme Court unanimously rejected a constitutional challenge to the state’s refundable Parental Choice Tax Credit, which offers up to $5,000 per student and $7,500 for students with disabilities, capped at $50 million per year. The court ruled that the state constitution sets a floor for public education, not a ceiling that bars other education programs. It is one of several 2026 court decisions shaping where school choice funding can flow.

Source: EdChoice.

Ohio’s Universal Voucher Program Heads to Appeals Court

Ohio is appealing a lower court ruling that found its universal EdChoice voucher program unconstitutional. The case is heading to the Tenth District Court of Appeals and is widely expected to eventually reach the Ohio Supreme Court. Importantly, the program continues to operate during the appeal, so current families are not losing access right now. Families using or considering Ohio choice funds will want to follow this case as it develops.

Source: Ohio Statehouse News.

Georgia’s New Homeschool Law Takes Effect July 1

Georgia’s Senate Bill 63 takes effect July 1, 2026, easing some paperwork requirements and clarifying documentation rules for homeschooling families. Georgia is also now among a handful of states that guarantee homeschool students equal access to public school administered tests like the PSAT, AP exams, and the military’s ASVAB. Looking ahead, Georgia’s separate Promise Scholarship ESA application windows for 2026-27 are August 1 through 31 and November 1 through 30, so mark your calendar if you plan to apply.

Source: HSLDA and Georgia Promise Scholarship.

Homeschool Facts and Tips for This Week

Did you know? Homeschooling has roughly doubled in a decade. An estimated 3.4 million K-12 students were homeschooled in the United States during 2024-25, about 6.3 percent of the school age population, up from roughly 1.77 million a decade earlier. The movement keeps growing year over year.

Academic edge. Research has long found that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points above public school students on standardized tests, and tend to perform above average on the ACT and SAT regardless of their parents’ education level or household income.

Cost tip. Homeschooling does not have to be expensive. Most families spend roughly $700 to $1,800 per child per year. If your state has an ESA or tax credit program, those funds can often cover curriculum, tutoring, and approved materials, so check your eligibility before you buy for fall.

Planning tip. Summer is the ideal window to plan, not just rest. Map your year loosely now while curriculum is fresh on your mind, then leave white space. Many veteran families schedule only four days of formal lessons per week and reserve the fifth for field trips, catch up, or interest led projects, which reduces burnout for both parent and child.

Social tip. The isolated homeschooler worry is outdated. With the surge in homeschooling, co-ops, learning pods, and hybrid programs have multiplied, and some states have even passed laws protecting families’ right to gather informally. Joining even one weekly co-op or activity covers most families’ socialization needs.

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