Home School Graduation Recognition Act
Summary
The "Home School Graduation Recognition Act" aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. The amendment would recognize students who complete secondary education in a home school setting as high school graduates for the purposes of the Act. This recognition would apply if the home school setting is treated as a home school or private school under state law.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to ensure that home-schooled students are not discriminated against when applying for federal student aid. It clarifies their status as high school graduates under the Higher Education Act. This change could increase access to higher education for home-schooled students.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to federal student aid for home-schooled students.
- Recognition of home school education as equivalent to traditional high school education.
- Potential increase in college enrollment among home-schooled graduates.
- Alignment with state laws that already recognize home schools.
- Reduced administrative burden for home-schooled students applying for college.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for inconsistent application across states due to varying home school regulations.
- Possible increase in demand for federal student aid, potentially straining resources.
- Risk of fraudulent home school programs solely for accessing federal funds (though unlikely given existing state oversight).
- May not address other barriers to higher education faced by home-schooled students (e.g., standardized testing requirements).
- Limited impact if colleges and universities already recognize home school diplomas.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly regarding the principle of equal opportunity. While education is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. This bill respects state laws regarding home schooling while ensuring equal access to federal benefits.
Furthermore, the bill does not infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Constitution. It simply clarifies the definition of a high school graduate for the purpose of federal student aid.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).