Chair advances bill 692, urges audit and temporary cap for 'unbundler' (homeschool 4) program

The Chair of the Senate Education Subcommittee recommended that the panel send bill "6 92" to the full Senate Education Committee with a favorable report and said members should also request a Legislative Audit Council (LAC) analysis focused on the program’s "unbundler" (homeschool 4) component.

"I'd like to recommend that we pass, 6 92 on to the full senate education committee with a favorable report for consideration," the Chair said, adding that the bill may not fully fix the original implementation issues but should move forward for consideration. The Chair said the subcommittee had received extensive testimony and numerous communications from parents, teachers and other stakeholders.

The Chair told members they lack reliable, consistent data about where program funds are going, how many students are enrolled, and student outcomes. "I think we need to take a real deep dive and hard look at that part of the program," the Chair said, recommending the subcommittee request an LAC review "specifically focusing on the unbundler part of the program." The Chair noted a letter requesting the LAC report has been drafted and requires signatures from five senators; the Chair said the letter would be circulated later that day.

Several committee members voiced support for the Chair’s approach and frustration with current implementation. One member said, "This whole thing is so disappointing to me," and warned that some families "are being used as pawns." Another member recalled the program’s bipartisan origins to help at-risk students move to better opportunities and urged quick corrective steps. A third member said they felt "made a liar" after telling constituents what the program was, and expressed disappointment about how it has been portrayed on social media.

After discussion the Chair entertained a motion for a favorable report on bill 692; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The Chair announced that bill 692 "will be sent to [the] full education committee for consideration with a favorable report." Members confirmed the full committee will meet next Wednesday.

The Chair also said they plan to propose budget steps in the upcoming process, including one proviso that would prohibit a homeschool 4 program next year and, alternatively, a temporary cap that would hold enrollments at 10,000 this fiscal year rather than allowing the statutory 15,000 until the LAC report provides clearer data. The Chair described those as options under consideration, not enacted policy.

Next steps: bill 692 proceeds to the full Senate Education Committee next week; the LAC letter will be circulated to obtain the five required signatures and the subcommittee will await the audit’s findings before considering budget language or enrollment changes.