Welcome back to our weekly roundup. This week leads with a California homeschool graduate who was denied a phlebotomy license until the state took a second look, and a Maryland teen who was told he could not join JROTC, until the rules were put in front of the school.

On the funding side, we look at what Tuesday’s elections could mean for programs in Texas and Iowa, why HSLDA says homeschoolers should qualify for the new federal tax credit, a November 15 deadline in Iowa, and the dates Wyoming families are watching. As always, every story below links its source so you can read the original yourself. We use the agency, the court or the program’s own page wherever one exists.

California: a homeschool grad was denied a phlebotomy license, then the state fixed it

A homeschool graduate named Kingston (HSLDA withheld his last name for privacy) finished his phlebotomy training and was then rejected for a license by the California Department of Public Health. Officials had questioned the validity of his high school diploma. Phlebotomists are the health care professionals trained and licensed to draw blood, and HSLDA says this is the fourth time in three years it has helped a graduate facing this problem.

Kingston’s case had a twist. He graduated from a large private school satellite program rather than a homeschool where parents file their own private school affidavit, which is perfectly legal in California. HSLDA contacted the department’s attorneys, and the department’s attorney apologized and said they had not realized Kingston was a homeschool graduate. They reversed the denial, and within a few days he had his license.

If your teen is heading toward a licensed career, keep the diploma, transcript and proof that you followed your state’s homeschool law together in one place. A little paperwork now can save a big headache later.

Source: HSLDA

Maryland: a homeschool teen was told no on JROTC, and now he is a cadet

This one came out at the end of September, and it was too good not to share. A Maryland public school district told a homeschooled ninth grader (HSLDA calls him Jeremy White, and the names are changed for privacy) that state law kept him out of the local Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps unit. The unit’s instructor, a retired lieutenant colonel, was open to having him, but other school officials said no.

His mother called HSLDA, and Senior Counsel Tj Schmidt wrote to the district’s central office. Because JROTC is federally funded, it falls under federal regulations. “A homeschool student who lives within a district that offers JROTC is eligible to participate as long as he meets the qualifications all students have to meet, like following a code of conduct,” Schmidt said. Shortly after that, the school told the family Jeremy was cleared to join.

His mother says the school has been “very warm and welcoming” since then. If your teen is interested in JROTC, this is a good one to bookmark.

Source: HSLDA

Update: Tuesday’s elections put private school choice programs back in the spotlight

Education Week reports that Democrats flipped governor’s offices on Tuesday in states including Georgia, Iowa, Ohio and Texas, all states with large private school choice programs. The biggest question for homeschool families is in Texas, where Gina Hinojosa was projected to defeat Gov. Greg Abbott, and Abbott conceded. Education Week says she pledged on the campaign trail to repeal the state’s private school choice program, and that Comptroller-elect Sarah Eckhardt, whose office oversees the education savings account program, has said she will audit it. Chalkbeat reports that Iowa Gov.-elect Rob Sand also campaigned on reining in private school subsidies.

Here is what we can and cannot tell you. We found nothing saying Texas Education Freedom Accounts have changed for this school year, and results are preliminary until certified. Homeschool families can currently receive up to $2,000 per eligible child, and the comptroller’s office noted that roughly 44,000 families had expressed interest ahead of the 2027-28 school year. Both sides are already making their case. Tommy Schultz of the American Federation for Children said candidates “should not turn around and take scholarships from low-income families.” Jorge Elorza of Democrats for Education Reform said that in most of those states, “the programs are established enough that they can’t be repealed.” (Look for A to Z for Moms Like Me in the Odyssey Marketplace)

Sources: Education Week, Chalkbeat, FOX 29, Community Impact

Update: HSLDA says homeschoolers should qualify for the federal tax credit, and comments are open

The IRS released proposed rules for the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit on October 1, and they do not directly answer whether homeschoolers qualify. HSLDA President Jim Mason argues they should in all 50 states, because the law defines a school as providing elementary or secondary education “as determined under State law.” He points to veterans benefits and Social Security student benefits, where HSLDA says similar wording has worked for homeschoolers. This is HSLDA’s position, not a final rule. Education Week reported in October that homeschoolers in the 22 states that categorize them as private or religious schools will be eligible, and HSLDA Senior Counsel Will Estrada told the paper that homeschoolers in the remaining states will likely not be able to use the funds.

Families would still have to meet the income rules, live in a state that has opted in, and satisfy a scholarship organization’s requirements. The IRS is accepting public comments through December 1, 2026, and anyone can submit one.

Kentucky gives us a look at how this may play out. The Kentucky Education Fund, one of at least 20 groups that have filed as Scholarship Granting Organizations there, told LINK nky, “In Kentucky, homeschools are considered schools, so they are going to qualify.” It has not signed any agreements with homeschools yet, though it has started conversations, and spokesperson Will Hodges said he is less clear on how scholarships will work for homeschools.

Sources: HSLDA, Education Week, Journal of Accountancy, LINK nky

Update: Iowa’s half-year ESA window closes November 15

We mentioned this window last month, and it closes a week from tomorrow, so here is your reminder: Iowa’s half-year Students First ESA application is open through 11:59 p.m. on November 15, 2026. A half-year ESA is $4,074, compared with $8,148 for a full year. There is an important catch for homeschoolers. A student who homeschooled in 2025-26 can apply only if they are enrolled as a full-time student at an Iowa accredited nonpublic school, so this money is tied to nonpublic school enrollment, not to homeschooling at home. A student who received a full-year ESA for 2026-27 cannot also get a half-year one, and half-year participants have until 11:59 p.m. on January 14, 2027, to meet the attendance and tuition payment requirements.

Sources: Iowa Department of Education, House File 2754

Wyoming: key ESA dates are coming up this month

Wyoming’s supplemental Education Savings Account window ran October 27 through October 29 and is now closed. If you applied, here are the dates to watch. Review runs through November 13, and notifications post to student accounts on November 16. The opt-in deadline is November 22, and anyone who does not opt in by then is moved to Opted-Out for the 2026-27 school year. Funding begins December 10. The state’s page does not mention homeschoolers by name, so check the eligibility list if you are unsure. There will not be a waitlist this year, and the state says the waitlist process will resume with the 2027-28 application process. Keep your email current and check your spam filter so you do not miss the notice. Eligible students can receive $7,000 annually.

Source: Wyoming Department of Education

Upcoming Homeschool Events

• Homeschool Day at Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster, Colorado, Thursday November 12. Starts at 9:00 a.m. with a running time of 5 hours, at 6252 W. 104th Ave. Homeschool tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children, with lower member prices of $10 and $6.
• Homeschool Day: Native History at the History Museum on the Square, Springfield, Missouri, Thursday November 12. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. and a museum educator leads the special activity from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Discounted admission is $8 per person, paid on arrival, and registration is free. All ages are welcome, the activity is recommended for ages 6 to 17, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Homeschool Day: Historical Hoaxes at Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, Georgia, Thursday November 19. Starts at 10:00 a.m. on the main campus, and tickets are included with the cost of admission.
• Christmas Homeschool Mornings at Glencairn Museum, Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, Tuesday December 15 and Thursday December 17. 9:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 1001 Cathedral Road. Cost is $8 per person, and children 4 and under are free. Advance registration is required by 11:59 p.m. the day before each session.

Sources: Butterfly Pavilion, Butterfly Pavilion location, History Museum on the Square, Atlanta History Center, Glencairn Museum

Homeschool Facts and Tips for This Week

Did you know? Idaho’s Parental Choice Tax Credit has already drawn a big response. The state’s final report for applications received in 2026 shows 7,055 applications covering 12,561 students. The application period is now closed. (Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit)

Motivation. November is when a lot of us look at the plan we made in August and sigh. You do not have to finish the book by Thanksgiving. If your kids are learning and you are still showing up, you are doing it.

Veterans Day tip. Veterans Day is this Wednesday, November 11. Our Veterans Day free printable is an easy way to work it into your week, and writing a thank-you note to a veteran you know makes it stick.

Resource tip. DocsTeach is a National Archives Foundation educational resource built on primary sources from the National Archives. With an election just behind us, it is a nice place to let older kids look at real historical documents. (DocsTeach)

Social tip. Pick one of the homeschool days in your area and invite a family you have been meaning to get to know. A museum gives the kids something to do and gives the moms a chance to talk.

Until next week

States in this week’s roundup: California, Maryland, Texas, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Missouri and Pennsylvania.

Happy homeschooling, and we will see you next Saturday.

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