Homeschool Moms Like Me Don't Want HB93

As a homeschooling mom who has walked nearly every path Idaho’s education system offers—public, private, charter, and homeschooling—I know firsthand that Idaho already provides families with great school choice. What we don’t need is House Bill 93, a tax credit scheme that funnels government money to private school parents while opening the door for more state oversight of independent educators like me.

The beauty of homeschooling is its freedom. We, as parents, decide how our children learn—whether through structured curriculums, hands-on projects, dual enrollment in public school classes, or a mix of everything. That’s how my family operates. Some of my kids thrive in public school settings, while others stay home where learning is tailored to their needs. However, what makes homeschooling work is our ability to educate without interference from the state. HB 93 threatens that.

Under this bill, families seeking the tax credit must prove their instruction meets specific government-approved criteria, such as maintaining portfolios or relying on accredited programs. Today, they say it’s just a documentation requirement. Tomorrow, it could be mandated testing, government-approved curriculums, or restrictions on teaching methods. The second the state starts handing out tax money, they start making the rules. That’s not school choice—that’s government overreach creeping into our homes.

And let’s be honest about who this bill really benefits. Supporters claim HB 93 helps struggling families afford alternatives to public school, but in reality, it’s a tax credit designed to reimburse families who are already paying for private school tuition. Most of these parents made the decision—and had the financial ability—to enroll their children in private schools long before this bill came along. So why should my tax dollars subsidize their choice? Homeschooling families like mine don’t ask for handouts because we believe in self-reliance and personal responsibility. If we can educate our kids without government funding, private school parents can too.

This bill also lacks accountability. It allows private schools to receive tax-funded benefits without requiring them to change their admissions policies or disclose how the money is used. That means my tax dollars could be funneled into schools that exclude certain students, push ideological agendas, or operate with little to no transparency. If a religious institution wants to run a school, that’s their right—but the government shouldn’t be sending them taxpayer-funded subsidies to do it.

At its core, HB 93 is government welfare disguised as “school choice.” It’s wealth redistribution dressed up in conservative rhetoric. The same politicians who tell us welfare programs create government dependency are now pushing a bill that does exactly that—just for a different group of people. The homeschool movement was built on the idea of educational freedom and independence from government control. We don’t need a tax credit to make homeschooling work. We need the government to leave us alone.

This is why Idaho’s homeschool families must take a stand. Call your state senator, write an email, and tell lawmakers that real school choice already exists in Idaho without government handouts or interference. We won’t trade our independence for a tax credit that only benefits private school parents while inching state oversight into our homes. Legislators who truly support parental rights and education freedom will vote no on HB 93 and keep Idaho families in control of their children’s education—without strings attached.

To find your state senator's contact information, go to IdahoVoters.com.

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About the Author

Andrea Graf is a stay-at-home mom who is passionate about continual learning. She is the president of Can-Ada Republican Women and a lifelong Republican. Andrea lives in Star, Idaho, with her husband, Gregory, and their five children.

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