“A model bill is a legislative template that an organization releases publicly to try influencing legislation in that direction. While model bills are rarely adopted as is, legislators often insert portions of them into actual legislation. They can also be used to push an idea in the media and the national narrative.” The “Make Homeschool Safe Act” (MHSA) as currently proposed, restricts homeschool families heavily and takes away parental autonomy in various areas of the schooling experience.

Homeschooling has increased significantly in the United States in recent years. In 2019, 2.5 million children were homeschooled, and by the 2021-2022 school year, the number had increased to 3.1 million.

Several pages of the model bill are dedicated to the assessment process of homeschooled children. A “qualified educational professional” reviews the child’s assessments in person and signs off on the evaluation. A superintendent then reviews the evaluation and must sign off as well. If either the qualified professional, or the superintendent rejects the evaluation, the family can be placed on probation or even have their homeschool program suspended entirely.

The parents of homeschooled children, under this model bill, would have to have a high school level of education or GED. If they don’t have one of those, they would need to teach under the supervision of a “qualified educational professional,” who would oversee the curriculum. Additionally, the children would also have to receive the same immunizations that are required for public school, or receive a medical exemption. They would need to submit the immunization record or exemption 30 days before beginning homeschool.

MHSA would require about five hours of instruction each day. Those who have been educated through homeschool have said that a mandatory five hours a day does not take into account how efficient one-on-one learning is. A quiz that takes 30 minutes in a school class, could take one child four minutes to complete at home. Having the government enforce hours for learning removes parental autonomy. Parents know their children and their learning styles intimately. What works for one child may not work for another, and having the flexibility for parents to call their own shots is vital.

Parental involvement, particularly in educational activities, is a key factor that influences a child’s academic success and future social mobility. Involvement such as volunteering at their children’s school, discussing school subjects at home and attending open houses and teacher conferences play a large role in a child’s academic success.