Arkansas lawmakers have passed a bill that will place limits on how families can spend voucher dollars, intended for private school or homeschool expenses, under the state’s Educational Freedom Accounts program. The bill, known as SB625, limits families to spending only 25% of the voucher amount on transportation and extracurricular activities. This change comes after reports revealed that homeschool families were using voucher funds for non-academic expenses like tennis lessons and gym memberships, prompting concerns that the money should be used for educational purposes.
The cost of the program is also set to increase significantly in the upcoming years, with the number of participants expected to rise substantially in the 2025-26 school year. While the bill does not limit the overall cost of the program, it aims to ensure that voucher funds are not wasted. Despite some pushback from homeschool families and legislators, the bill was supported by Rep. Jim Wooten, who noted that it is the first time limits have been placed on the use of funds from the program.
The passage of SB625 marks a shift in the implementation of Arkansas’ voucher program, as the state works to balance educational freedom with responsible use of public funds. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Breanne Davis and Rep. Keith Brooks, reflects a broader debate about the role of vouchers in the state’s education system.
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