Iowa lawmakers are considering a big change in homeschooling rules with House File 88 (HF 88), a bill that’s sparking passionate debates. Advocates say it’s about empowering parents, while critics warn it could create risks for kids’ education and health. So, what’s in HF 88, and why does it matter?

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What HF 88 Does

Right now, non-relatives can homeschool kids, but only if they’re licensed teachers, and they can’t teach more than four unrelated children. HF 88 would remove those restrictions, making it easier for families to homeschool with outside help. It would also increase the state’s tuition and textbook tax credit from 25% to 50% of the first $2,000 spent, giving families more financial flexibility.

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The bill doesn’t stop there. It removes requirements for homeschoolers to provide proof of vaccinations or lead testing for kids—something public health experts worry could jeopardize child safety. Finally, it mandates that Iowa colleges and universities treat homeschool diplomas as equal to high school diplomas for admissions.

The Case For HF 88

Supporters, like Homeschool Iowa, argue the bill strengthens parental rights and choice. Parents know their kids best, they say, and the current restrictions create unnecessary hurdles. The tax credit boost would also help families offset educational costs, giving more Iowans the chance to homeschool. Home Schooling can be a viable option to remove what many parents see as unnecessary influence from those they may not deem to be appropriate around their children. This includes those educators that some parents say are attempting to indoctrinate over educate, especially in the realms of gender, sexuality, biology, and even religion.

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The Case Against HF 88

Critics see potential downsides. Without oversight, expanding the number of unrelated kids in a homeschool could blur the lines between homeschooling and unregulated private schooling. Public health experts are alarmed about dropping vaccination and lead testing requirements, especially in a state with some known lead exposure risks.

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Opponents also fear the changes could lower educational standards and leave kids vulnerable to gaps in learning or health care. This is always the immediate danger — and I argue the most significant — however, several studies show that homeschooled children actually outperform their publicly educated peers. There is also the stigma of social and emotional development in homeschoolers, but those have been largely debunked now.

Why It’s a Big Deal for Iowa

HF 88 puts Iowa at the center of a broader national debate about homeschooling and parental rights. It’s about finding the balance between empowering parents and ensuring kids’ education, and, in some form, safety and security.

Whether you see it as a step forward or a step back, one thing is clear: this bill could reshape how Iowa families approach education. So, do you welcome these changes—or do they raise red flags for you?

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