Homeschoolers protected by new Utah law

Parents elsewhere battle in court and in legislatures
Written By: Karla Dial
Published In: School Reform News
Publication Date: May 1, 2005
Publisher: The Heartland Institute

A bill shielding homeschooling parents from requirements that they meet state credential standards and give public school officials records of what they teach passed unanimously in both houses of the Utah legislature in February.

Senate Bill 59, sponsored by freshman Sen. Mark Madsen (R-Lehi), also prevents school boards from requiring homeschool students to take standardized tests. It passed the Senate 26-0-3 on February 16 and the House of Representatives 70-0-5 on February 28. No legislator voted against the bill, though three were absent from the Senate and five from the House the day votes were cast. Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) signed the bill into law March 18; it took effect May 2.