Homeschool Advocates Support WV College Access Bill

For Immediate Release: Homeschooled students do not need barriers to college attendance

02/03/2020—The Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE), a national nonprofit organization that advocates for homeschooled children, is supporting House Bill 2034, which would help ensure that homeschooled students have the same access to college as other students. “A growing body data suggests that homeschooled students may attend college at a lower rate than other students,” says Dr. Rachel Coleman, CRHE’s executive director. “We support efforts to make the college enrollment process as accessible as possible to homeschool graduates.” 

HB 2034 would prevent colleges and universities from mandating potentially onerous alternative testing for homeschool graduates. Homeschool graduates would still be required to submit SAT or ACT scores like other students. A 2003 study by researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that while admissions officers place less weight on homeschooled students’ diplomas and transcripts, likely because these documents are typically created by homeschooling parents, they placed more weight on SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and other materials. 

Coleman points with concern to data from Kentucky and Virginia that suggests that homeschool graduates may attend college at as little as half the rate as other high school graduates. “Placing additional barriers in the way of homeschool graduates only worsens the barriers these students clearly already face,” says Coleman. “College should be made as accessible as possible.” 

CRHE also encourages school districts to make ACT and SAT testing available to homeschooled students and supports policies that allow homeschooled students to earn college credits while still in high school. Coleman notes that earning college credit through taking community college classes, AP tests, and other avenues can help a homeschool graduate be competitive when applying for college. “College attendance remains an important gateway to the middle class,” notes Coleman. “This avenue should be available to every student.” 

The Coalition for Responsible Home Education empowers homeschooled children by educating the public and advocating for child-centered, evidence-based policy and practices for families and professionals.