Homeschool students would have guaranteed access to college admission testing at their local public school under legislation backed by prominent Republican state senators.
School districts that offer the SAT, ACT, PSAT/NMSQT, PreACT, or an AP exam would have to post testing dates on their websites and allow students zoned for the school to participate like enrolled students. Senate Bill 63 says homeschool students starting in middle school would not have to pay any testing fee or meet any qualifications that aren’t required of enrolled students.
The state is expecting to see more students in this situation after the establishment of a new private education voucher program during last year’s legislative session. Starting next fall, any student who lives in a lower-performing school attendance zone will be eligible for $6,500 toward a private education, which can include costs for homeschooling.
