Resolution in Support of Homeschool Inclusion in Public School Programs

WHEREAS the Wyoming Republican Party supports educational freedom and the rights of parents to tailor their children's education; and

WHEREAS for more than 25 years our community, schools, children and families have greatly benefited from a collaboration between public schools and homeschool families, and many homeschool students have benefited from access to public school classes, and activities; and

WHEREAS public school classes and activities provide valuable educational and social development opportunities for all students, create a bridge to community engagement and offer a potential pathway back into public education, strengthening both families and schools; and

WHEREAS a recent proposal to exclude all homeschool students from public school activities below the high school level and to exclude all homeschool students from taking classes raises serious concerns about fairness, transparency, potential discrimination, and the erosion of community unity; and

WHEREAS school districts do receive payment for any homeschool students who attend public school classes through reimbursement from the state block grant school funding model; and

WHEREAS Wyoming taxpayers pay more than $6.5 million annually to fund our local schools; and

WHEREAS most homeschool families in Wyoming, pay taxes that fund the very programs their children are now being told they cannot access; and

WHEREAS a new school choice option is now available to parents in Wyoming through the Education Savings Account program (ESA), moving forward it's important to recognize the distinction between homeschool parents that accept taxpayer money through the ESA to educate their children (ESA Homeschool student) and those homeschool parents that do not receive taxpayer funded education support to educate their children (Traditional Homeschool Students); and

WHEREAS the Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction issued a statement on June 16, 2025, regarding the issue of Traditional Homeschool Student participation in classes and activities requesting that school districts make no changes to their existing policies for the upcoming school year.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Wyoming Republican Party supports the inclusion of Traditional Homeschool Students in public school classes and activities at all grade levels; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Wyoming Republican Party calls upon all school administrators and school board members within Wyoming to ensure that Traditional Homeschool Students continue to be welcomed and included in public school classes and activities without unnecessary or burdensome restrictions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Wyoming Republican Party calls upon the Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) to make no changes in policy limiting Traditional Homeschool Student participation in activities, including adding any requirements that are not required by students enrolled in public schools.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Wyoming Republican Party urges the Wyoming State Legislators to pass and the Governor sign legislation that guarantees access to public school programs for all Traditional Homeschool Students throughout the State of Wyoming, acknowledging their families' contributions as taxpayers and their right to participate in the resources they help fund.

Passed:

Wyoming Republican Party, 23 Aug 2025 WYGOP SCC Meeting