Homeschooling has proven to be an effective, enriching, and successful educational option for families across the nation. Yet in many states, including Oregon, regulations continue to place unneeded burdens on homeschooling families without providing any real benefit.
For over 35 years, with the help of families like yours, OCEANetwork has been working to protect and expand freedoms for homeschoolers in our state. We believe that the current regulations on homeschool families should be removed from Oregon homeschool law.
ALERT (3/8/25) – NOW is the time to take action for the Homeschool Freedom Bill. Please call and/or email the eight Committee members on the House Committee On Education and urge them to allow the bill to go to hearing! Read the rest of the alert here.
Oregon’s Homeschool Regulations Are Ineffective
Data consistently shows that regulations like mandatory notifications and testing do not improve the academics, safety, or educational experience of homeschool students. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) and information from Homeschooling Backgrounder demonstrates that homeschoolers excel academically and socially in states with little to no regulation. In fact, the required standardized testing often fails to measure true learning and creates unnecessary stress for students, especially those with test anxiety.
Homeschool Regulations Are Unfair
Oregon’s homeschoolers face stricter requirements than public school students in key areas. Currently, public school families can choose to opt out of standardized testing. However, homeschoolers are not granted the same option.
This inconsistency effectively penalizes homeschooling families. It is particularly unreasonable for those with students who struggle with testing but thrive in personalized, home-based education.
Current Regulations Are Unnecessary
Homeschoolers consistently outperform their public and online charter school peers in academics, socialization, and civic involvement. This is true even in states with fewer or no homeschool regulations.
Clearly, homeschoolers do not need oversight to achieve positive educational outcomes. What they need is the freedom to continue teaching their children in the way that best meets their needs.
Homeschool Regulations Waste Time and Resources
Educational Service Districts (ESDs) and school districts frequently misunderstand Oregon’s homeschool laws, leading to confusion, overreach, and sometimes even harassment of homeschool families.
These misunderstandings waste valuable time and taxpayer dollars while creating unnecessary stress for families. Requiring notifications and standardized testing also takes time and resources away from actual education—time that could be better spent on meaningful learning experiences.
Alert: OCEANetwork submitted a Homeschool Freedom Bill for the 2025 Oregon legislative lesson. Learn more here and take action for homeschool freedom!
A Step Toward Greater Freedom
The current homeschool laws in Oregon are a result of a compromise that OCEANetwork struck in the legislature the last time we pushed for total homeschool freedom. In fact, OCEANetwork’s Freedom Watch Team members were involved in that and helped draft the laws in such a way as to allow the most freedom possible, even with the compromises. (You can learn about the history of homeschooling in Oregon here.)
The result was expanded homeschool freedoms, but it did not fully eliminate unnecessary oversight. Advocating to finish what was started is a worthwhile endeavor. Supporting bills submitted by OCEANetwork, such as the 2025 Homeschool Freedom Bill, is a crucial step toward that goal.
How You Can Help
- Call / Email to advocate for the 2025 Homeschool Freedom Bill – The Homeschool Freedom Bill needs a hearing in the House Committee on Education to move forward. A hearing not only increases the bill’s chances of passing but also educates legislators and the public on the importance of homeschool freedom. We encourage you to call or email the House Committee on Education and urge them to schedule a hearing for the bill. You can also reach out to your state representatives to voice your support. Find more information here.
- Attend Apple Pie Day / Capitol Day with OCEANetwork – Each long legislative session year, OCEANetwork hosts Apple Pie Day at the Capitol, where families from across the state come together to celebrate and rally for homeschool freedom. It’s an important event for connecting with legislators, too, educating them on homeschool freedom issues and making connections as families deliver Apple Pies throughout the Capitol building. (We also often host a similar, smaller event on short legislative session years, so keep your eye out for those and join us!)
- Take the Homeschool Freedom Challenge – Did you miss this year’s Apple Pie Day / Capitol Day? You can advocate for homeschool freedom all year round! Families and homeschool groups can download this Homeschool Freedom Challenge, where we walk you through how to pray for, write to, and otherwise connect with your legislators in a positive way. It’s an educational group activity!
- Spread the Word – We need YOU in this endeavor! Join as a member or donate to the cuase. Help us spread the word by sharing OCEANetwork events, resources, and articles with your homeschooling friends and FB groups. Sign up for emails to get timely notifications, too!
The fight for homeschool freedom in Oregon is not just about lifting unnecessary regulations. It’s about protecting parental rights, promoting educational excellence, and ensuring that families have the freedom to direct their children’s education without government overreach.
Freedom-minded homeschool families like yours are essential—help us finish the work that began years ago and ensure that educational freedom remains a cornerstone of Oregon’s future.
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View this video about the history of homeschooling in Oregon.
