Enos: One Big Beautiful Bill? Encouraging news for homeschool freedom—and reason to stay engaged

By Colleen Enos | Commentary, Christian Home Educators of Colorado

By now, everyone has heard about the passage of HR1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, by our Federal Congress. President Trump signed the bill into law on the 4th of July, before the fireworks began exploding in Washington, D.C., to celebrate America’s 249th birthday. The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) was included in the legislation. Passing the bill was a monumental event, with the Trump Administration touting it as its signature achievement.

It is important to note that the Education Scholarship donations provided for in the bill are made by individuals and are, therefore, private monies. They are not tax dollars. Delmarva claims that “this structure is intended to address concerns, particularly from homeschooling communities, about potential government ‘strings’ or mandates attached to funding.” The tax credit is an incentive to encourage individuals to donate to Scholarship Granting Organizations. Whether or not this structure protects against government regulations for homeschoolers remains to be seen.

While we wait for the details of how this legislation will be specifically implemented throughout our states with regulations and guidance, two sections of the bill stand out for homeschoolers. In Title VII, Subchapter B, Section 70411, the tax credit guidelines for education scholarships are explained. Here are some of the notable specifics:

• Individuals can receive up to a $1,700 nonrefundable tax credit when they donate to a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO).
• States (like Colorado) must opt in to the program and identify the state list of SGOs that meet the requirements.
• SGOs must be included on the state list and agree to be bound by the listed requirements.
• SGOs apply eligibility guidelines and determine award amounts.
• Eligible students must come from households with no more than 300% of the area median gross income.
• Eligible expenses listed in the ECCA are tuition, curriculum, books, tutoring, test fees, and therapy. Private, religious, and home schools operating under the state law are included.

The program is not automatic for every state; individual states must voluntarily opt in to the program. Governor Polis and his advisors may or may not choose to participate. If our state does not opt in, no Colorado students are eligible. However, if he does opt in to the program, homeschools may be affected. This section of the One Big Beautiful Bill does not take effect until the tax year 2027.

READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT CHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS OF COLORADO

Colleen Enos is a longtime homeschooling mom of eight, now graduated, and a grandmother of four (soon to be five). Married to her husband Mark for 38 years, she’s spent the last 17 years coaching speech and debate and now serves as the Christian Home Educators of Colorado’s (CHEC) Director of Government Relations, advocating for homeschool freedom at the state legislature. Enos writes a column post twice each month for the CHEC blog. Reach her at [email protected].

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.