Colorado rejected 38 homeschool enrichment programs. Now officials will weigh stricter permanent rules.
Did you know search engines like Google are changing the way you see news? Keep Chalkbeat’s valuable education coverage at the top of your feeds by clicking here and checking the box next to our name. Over the summer, state officials said yes to only 14 of 54 homeschool enrichment programs that applied for approval. It was the first step in a broader effort to increase oversight of a…
Colorado has rejected 38 homeschool enrichment programs, prompting officials to consider stricter permanent rules. In May, the state marked a crackdown after finding homeschool enrichment had grown out of control, costing nearly $100 million in the previous year. These enrichment programs, which offer one day of tuition-free classes a week, have been around for years, but their numbers surged during the pandemic.
The State Board of Education will discuss permanent rules for these programs on Thursday, focusing on two versions, Option A and Option B. Option A would restrict homeschool enrichment to public entities like school districts or charter schools, requiring them to maintain control over enrollment, finances, and websites. It would also prohibit funding for certain activities and off-site learning.
Option B would allow both public entities and nonprofit private groups to operate homeschool enrichment programs, with more flexibility in offering classes like dance, visual arts, and theater. Both options would limit the number of fee-based field trips per semester and cap weekly class hours. The State Board will also consider cutting the per-hour homeschool enrichment rate from $6,000 to $3,000 for 90 hours of class.
Homeschool parents have voiced support for Option B, citing the challenges of providing alternative education at home.
Written by urgent.news from Chalkbeat's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
