Every year, OCEANetwork monitors any bills, initiatives, or rules that may negatively impact homeschool freedoms in Oregon. The need for vigilance is even greater during long legislative sessions, which happen every other year.
UPDATE (4/17/25): HB 3624 passed in the House. We have issued a new advisory and plan to actively oppose the bill as it moves to the Senate. Please watch this page, sign up for emails, and monitor our FB page for an upcoming call to action.
House Bill 3624 has been sent to the House floor for a vote. If enacted, ESDs would be required to provide and administer a free, nationally normed test at the local public school for homeschoolers.
This may sound helpful on the surface, but in reality, it poses serious long-term risks to homeschool freedom.
- This bill would normalize the idea that homeschoolers should be dependent on the State.
- It shifts more control to the ESDs, in that they choose the test version and where it is to be administered (the local public school) regardless of what’s best for the child.
- Current law protects your right to choose a qualified neutral person to administer the test. This bill adds pressure for homeschoolers to use State-provided services, subtly eroding parental authority.
- In addition, it sets a precedent for future regulation. Free services today may lead to state mandates and increased oversight tomorrow. We’ve seen it before: what starts as optional can become required.
Independent homeschoolers should be excluded from any government funding initiatives. OCEANetwork opposes HB 3624 and is issuing a call to action for homeschoolers in Oregon to oppose it as well.
➡️ CALL / EMAIL TODAY
The House can vote on this bill as soon as tomorrow (4/16), though it may not be quite that soon. Take action as soon as you see this alert.
We will update this page at the top with any new information, so you can check here if you’re concerned that the vote may already have happened. If you don’t see such an update on this page, please call or write your state Representative ASAP to politely state your opposition to HB 3624. In your own words, tell them why this is important to you.
You can find out who your Representative is here. (No need to contact Senators at this point, since the vote will be on the House floor.)
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Thank you for helping OCEANetwork defend the rights of homeschooling families in Oregon.
Rodger Williams
OCEANetwork Freedom Watch Team
If you have questions about this alert, please contact OCEANetwork here so we can forward it on to our Freedom Watch Team.
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