HB 1255 – Strom

Concerns: State testing will be required for those who take the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit

This bill is almost identical to Rep. Strom’s HB3585, which was introduced and failed last year. HB 1255 adds state assessments for students educated by other means whose parents have taken the Oklahoma Parental Tax Credit.  If you have taken the credit and your student does not take the required assessment, you will have to repay the credit.

HSLDA has long supported tax credits for homeschooling, but Oklahoma’s measure stirred controversy within the state because its tax credit is refundable. That’s because if the credit reduces a family’s tax burden below zero, the family would receive the remainder of the credit as a cash payment from the government. In this circumstance, the money goes beyond a tax break to direct payments, which could open the door to more regulation.

HSLDA – How ESA Funding Could Undermine Homeschool Freedom

This bill would introduce state testing into homeschooling.  If legislation of this nature were to become law, it could open the door for more measures to restrict and regulate homeschooling.  In effect, it could extend into all of homeschooling in the future whether one chooses the tax credit or not.

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