As Christian homeschoolers, we are called not only to educate our children in truth but also to be watchful stewards of the freedoms that allow us to do so. This past Louisiana legislative session delivered some meaningful victories and promising changes that affect our families, churches, and homeschool graduates. Below is an overview of key developments every Christian homeschooling parent should know.

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 GATOR: Giving All True Opportunity to Rise

This newly introduced program offers up to $5,000 per child to assist with educational expenses such as curriculum, tutoring, and services. While the vision behind GATOR is promising for many Louisiana families, the legislature did not fully fund the program this year, meaning only a very limited number of students will benefit for now. Lawmakers have signaled plans to revisit and potentially expand funding in the future.

Important Note:
Homeschoolers utilizing either the BESE-Approved Home Study or Nonpublic Not Seeking State Approval options are not eligible for GATOR funds. The program is currently limited to students enrolled in participating private schools or certain state-approved educational programs.

While this may be disappointing to some, it also reaffirms the unique independence of Louisiana’s homeschool options that remain free from state oversight and regulation.

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 HB77 (Act 347): New TOPS Excellence Award & CLT Acceptance

This exciting update to the TOPS scholarship program adds a new level of award—TOPS Excellence—for students scoring a 31 or higher on the ACT or its equivalent on the SAT or Classic Learning Test (CLT). The inclusion of the CLT is especially encouraging for Christian families who prefer an exam that emphasizes classic literature, historical texts, and timeless ideas over modern secular educational trends.

TOPS Excellence includes:

• Full in-state tuition (up to $12,000)
• A $300 per semester stipend for books and materials
• A $1,000 per semester stipend for other educational expenses

This is a meaningful opportunity for high-achieving homeschoolers and a recognition of their academic excellence.

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 HB378 (Act 359): TOPS Access for Home Study Students

This long-awaited legislation removes the higher ACT score requirement that previously applied only to homeschool graduates in the state’s Approved Home Study Program. Starting August 2025, these students will be eligible for the same TOPS scholarships as public and private school students—without additional academic burdens.

Eligibility Requirements for Homeschoolers:

• Must be in an Approved Home Study Program for at least 12th grade (or starting no later than the end of 10th grade if previously enrolled in a public or approved private school)
• Must meet the standard ACT scores for each award level:
  • Tech: 17
  • Opportunity: 20
  • Performance: 23
  • Honors: 27
  • Excellence: 31

Students must enroll in college the semester following the first anniversary of high school graduation—or within five years if they enter military service in the first year after graduation.

This change ensures homeschool graduates are no longer held to a different academic standard to have access to the same scholarship opportunities as their peers.

A heartfelt thank-you to fellow homeschool dad, Rep. Roger Wilder for authoring and championing this important legislation on behalf of homeschool families across Louisiana. His leadership and dedication made this long-awaited change a reality.

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 HB371 (Act 358): Religious Freedom for Churches

During the COVID shutdowns, many churches were unjustly treated—forced to close their doors or subjected to restrictions that didn’t apply to secular businesses. As recently as 2024, some Louisiana churches hosting homeschool co-ops were told by fire marshals they were operating “schools” and forced to close since the church did not meet school building codes.

Thanks to HB371 by Rep. Beryl Amedee, those days are over. This law firmly protects religious liberty by stating:

• Churches cannot face more severe restrictions than secular entities
• Government may not regulate the use of a church based on the day of the week or the nature of religious instruction taking place
• Churches cannot be restricted from hosting:
  • Homeschool co-ops or enrichment programs
  • Parent meetings or student gatherings
  • VBS programs or Bible camps
  • Mothers Day Out or other child-focused ministries

 

This bill is a victory for both the homeschool and faith community, affirming that the church is not the servant of the state—it is a sanctuary for learning, worship, and community.

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 Working with LDOE to Protect Parental Authority

In addition to legislative victories, Homeschool Louisiana has been actively engaged with the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) to ensure homeschool families—especially those operating as Nonpublic Not Seeking State Approval (NPNSSA)—are respected and properly served.

Recently, the LDOE added an optional section to the annual NPNSSA notification form asking for individual student information, such as grade level. This was in response to some parents requesting state-issued documentation verifying their child’s grade placement. However, this created confusion and risked undermining the legal independence of nonpublic homeschoolers.

We formally requested that the LDOE remove this section, and they agreed. Parents choosing the NPNSSA option are not required to submit personal student information to the state—and doing so can unintentionally suggest oversight that does not exist under this legal option.

Parents need to remember:

• You are the administrator of your school.
• You maintain all official student records.
• Any third party (such as sports leagues, dual enrollment programs, or scholarship offices) requesting student information should receive it directly from you—not from the state.
• If you want the state to retain and verify student-level records, the Approved Home Study option is the appropriate legal path.

We’re grateful for the cooperation of LDOE in honoring homeschool freedoms and for the opportunity to represent and protect families across Louisiana.

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 Final Thoughts

To stay informed, involved, and equipped as a Christian homeschooling family, be sure to sign up for legislative alerts by joining the Homeschool Louisiana Champions—a growing network of families committed to preserving homeschool freedom across our state.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Jessie Leger
Director of Legislative Affairs
homeschoollouisiana.org