OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, House Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, conducted an interim study on child-centered homeschooling practices to support at-home educators and families.

“I think everyone walked away with an understanding that discussing ways to provide safeguards for children is a necessary common sense next step,” said Swope. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to determine the best path forward to provide coherent culpability and protections for all students.”

The Coalition for Responsible Home Education Government Relations Director Samantha Field presented at the study. Field explained Oklahoma’s current homeschool policy and discussed ways in which it can be vulnerable to exploitation, such as Oklahoma being one of only 11 states to not have a universal enrollment policy.

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy CEO Joe Dorman also presented at the study and provided solutions to ensure children are educated and safe in homeschool settings. Dorman spoke about how children who do not attend public school and are not seen regularly by mandatory reporters are more at risk to not be helped in adverse home experiences. Homeschooling can also increase the risk of isolation, which is a risk factor for abuse.

Director of Research and Strategic Impact for Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice David Blatt also presented during the study to discuss rates of chronic absenteeism and homeschooling. Individuals with lived homeschooling experience closed out the study.

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