Refuting the Make Homeschool Safe Act

Point-by-Point Refutation of This Dangerous Model Bill

Homeschool Oklahoma (HSOK) strongly opposes the “Make Homeschool Safe Act,” a piece of model legislation being circulated as a potential framework for increased regulation of homeschooling. While this is not currently proposed legislation in Oklahoma, its ideas and assumptions pose a serious threat to educational freedom and parental rights. Below, we address the assertions often embedded in such model bills:

Assertion 1 – Homeschooling families require increased government oversight to prevent abuse.

Refutation – Oklahoma already has robust laws in place to address child abuse and neglect, regardless of a child’s educational setting. Under Oklahoma Statutes Title 10A §1-1-105, child abuse and neglect are clearly defined, and mandatory reporting laws require educators, healthcare providers, and other professionals to report any suspected abuse. These laws apply equally to homeschool families, making additional oversight unnecessary and discriminatory. Abuse prevention should focus on strengthening existing mechanisms, not creating new regulations that unfairly target homeschoolers.  

Assertion 2 – Mandatory home visits and assessments are necessary to ensure child safety. 

Refutation – Mandatory home visits violate your constitutional rights, infringe on family privacy, and presume guilt without evidence. Article XIII, Section 4 of the Oklahoma Constitution guarantees the right of parents to choose how to educate their children, including homeschooling, without government interference. Oklahoma’s legal framework respects parental authority and recognizes that parents are best positioned to ensure the safety and success of their children. Imposing home visits is not only unconstitutional but also is ineffective in addressing child safety concerns.  

Assertion 3 – Homeschool parents must submit detailed curriculum plans for approval to ensure academic standards.

Refutation – Oklahoma is one of the few states with explicit constitutional protections for homeschooling. The Oklahoma Constitution does not require homeschool parents to submit curriculum plans for approval. Under current law, homeschooling families must provide instruction in good faith and cover basic subjects such as reading, writing, math, and science, but they have the freedom to choose the curriculum and methods that best suit their children. Requiring government approval of curriculum plans would impose unconstitutional restrictions and burden families unnecessarily.  

Assertion 4 – Mandatory standardized testing ensures academic accountability.

Refutation – Oklahoma law does not require homeschool students to participate in standardized testing, and for good reason. Homeschooling allows for a personalized approach to education, which often leads to better academic outcomes than a one-size-fits-all model. National studies consistently show that homeschool students outperform their peers on standardized tests, even without government mandates. Forcing families to adhere to standardized testing undermines the flexibility that is essential to homeschooling success and places undue stress on students.  

Assertion 5 – A centralized registry of homeschool families is necessary for accountability.

Refutation – Oklahoma does not require homeschool families to register with the state, and this freedom is a cornerstone of educational choice in our state. Implementing a centralized registry would violate family privacy, create unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, and potentially open the door to further government intrusion into parental rights. Accountability in education is achieved through the dedication and hard work of parents, not through government tracking.  

Assertion 6 – Homeschooling must be restricted to parents with specific qualifications. 

Refutation – Oklahoma law does not impose educational qualifications on parents who choose to homeschool, and research shows no correlation between parental credentials and homeschooling success. This freedom ensures that families from all backgrounds, including those with limited formal education, can provide their children with an excellent education. Requiring specific qualifications would unjustly exclude many capable parents, limit diversity within the homeschooling community, and infringe on parents’ constitutional rights to direct their children’s education.  

Assertion 7 – Oversight is needed to prevent children from “falling through the cracks.”

Refutation – Oklahoma’s homeschoolers have thrived for decades without burdensome oversight, producing students who excel academically, socially, and professionally. The lack of unnecessary regulations allows families to focus on what matters most—providing a high-quality, personalized education. Claims of children “falling through the cracks” are not supported by evidence and serve only to justify intrusive policies that hinder, rather than help, families. The state should focus on addressing broader systemic issues in all educational settings rather than unfairly targeting homeschoolers.  

Conclusion 

Oklahoma’s homeschooling laws are among the most freedom-minded in the nation, reflecting a deep respect for parental rights as guaranteed by the Oklahoma Constitution. The “Make Homeschool Safe Act” seeks to impose unnecessary and unconstitutional restrictions on homeschooling families under the guise of protecting children. In reality, it would create barriers, erode trust, and undermine the very freedoms that allow homeschooling to succeed.  

We urge lawmakers to reject this legislation and instead support efforts that strengthen families and protect children without infringing on the rights of parents. 

Read more on this model bill here.

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