Homeschool families across the country are watching a busy spring legislative session, covering new ESA funding announcements and controversial new oversight bills. Here is what happened this week.

Texas: 53,000+ Families Receive Tier 2 TEFA Award Letters

Texas homeschool families received a major boost in early May when the state announced more than 53,000 Tier 2 Texas Education Freedom Account (TEFA) award notifications. Homeschool students are eligible for $2,000 per year in ESA funding to spend on approved educational expenses, including curriculum, tutoring, and educational materials. Families must confirm their award by July 15, 2026 to secure their funds. If you have a Texas homeschool student and have not yet confirmed your award, check your inbox now.

What it covers: Curriculum, tutoring, educational materials, and other approved expenses from vendors listed in the Odyssey or StudentFirst marketplace.

Iowa: Governor Reynolds Removes Tutor Cap, Expands ESA

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed legislation in mid-May that makes a meaningful difference for homeschool co-ops and tutoring groups. The new law removes the long-standing four-student cap that prevented home educators from serving small groups without triggering private school regulations. It also removes the ban on charging tuition for homeschool services and expands charter school funding through the state’s Education Savings Account program. Iowa homeschool families now have more flexibility in how they structure instruction and access state funding.

Connecticut: First-Ever Homeschool Oversight Bill Passes Legislature

Connecticut passed House Bill 5468, the state’s first significant homeschool oversight legislation, in early May. The bill requires homeschooling families to file annual reports with their local school district and mandates that parents seeking to withdraw a child from public school submit to a DCF background check. The bill now awaits Governor Lamont’s signature.

HSLDA and Connecticut homeschool advocates have raised concerns about the background check requirement, arguing it presumes guilt without cause and sets a troubling national precedent. If you homeschool in Connecticut or are watching this space, now is the time to contact your state representatives.

Nebraska: New Law Adds Wait Period for Families Under Child Welfare Investigation

Nebraska Governor Pillen signed LB 937 into law, which requires families currently under a child welfare investigation to wait up to 14 days before withdrawing their child from public school to homeschool. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) has characterized the law as a troubling reversal from Nebraska’s historically homeschool-friendly stance, noting that the wait period could effectively trap children in a school environment during an investigation without any finding of wrongdoing.

HSLDA advises any Nebraska family facing a child welfare case to contact them immediately for legal guidance before making any decisions about school withdrawal.

National: 201 School Choice Bills Moving Through 36 States

According to national school choice trackers, 201 education savings account and school choice bills are active in 36 states this legislative session. Twelve have already been signed into law in 2026. The momentum is being driven in part by the new federal tax credit scholarship program set to launch in January 2027, which will allow donors to receive federal tax credits for contributions to state-approved scholarship organizations, including those that fund homeschool expenses.

The 36 states with active school choice bills this session include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. If your state is on this list, connect with your local homeschool association to find out what is moving and how it could affect your family.

This is the most active school choice legislative environment on record. If your state is on the list above, connect with your state homeschool association to find out what bills are moving and whether your family could benefit.

West Virginia: Bills to Restrict Homeschooling for Accused Parents Defeated

Two West Virginia bills that would have prohibited parents accused of child abuse from homeschooling their children failed to advance before the session closed in March. The bills were introduced in response to cases where abuse allegations were connected to homeschool settings. HSLDA argued the proposals were overbroad and would have penalized innocent families based on accusations rather than convictions. The defeat is seen as a win for due process in the homeschool community.

Homeschool Facts and Tips for This Week

Did you know? There are currently 3.7 million homeschooled students in the United States, and homeschooling is the fastest-growing form of education in the country. Growth is running at nearly three times the pre-pandemic rate.

Academic edge. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) consistently shows that homeschooled students score 15 to 30 percentile points above public school peers on standardized tests. They also graduate from college at a higher rate: 67% compared to 59% for traditionally schooled students.

Cost tip. The average family spends between $700 and $1,800 per student per year on homeschooling. If your state has an ESA or school choice program, that cost could drop to zero. Check your state program to see what curriculum expenses are covered before you buy anything out of pocket.

Social tip. One of the most common concerns new homeschool families have is socialization. The good news: homeschool co-ops, community sports leagues, library programs, church youth groups, and 4-H clubs are all excellent ways to build a rich social life outside the home. Most areas have more options than families realize.

Planning tip. If you are heading into summer and feeling the pressure to keep learning going, give yourself permission to simplify. One or two focused subjects done consistently beats five subjects done sporadically. Life skills, cooking, gardening, and reading for fun count as education too.

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