The 2025 Nevada Legislative Session has been a busy one, and while this bill to revive Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), didn’t make it past the April 12 deadline, its implications for homeschoolers are worth examining. Nevada Homeschool Network is dedicated to preserving your right to homeschool without government overreach. Here’s a closer look at SB 252, its proponents, public reactions, and what it means for our community.
What SB 252 Proposed
SB 252 sought to resurrect Nevada’s ESA program, first introduced in 2015 but struck down due to the Nevada Supreme Court’s declaring the funding mechanism unconstitutional. The bill would have allowed parents to use public funds (approximately $6,000–$7,000 per student annually) for educational expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring, or homeschooling materials like curricula and extracurricular programs. Parents would have received debit-like cards to access these funds, with oversight to ensure appropriate use.
Who Was Behind the Bill
Sponsored by a coalition of Republican legislators and supported by Governor Joe Lombardo, SB 252 was championed by school choice advocates like the Nevada Policy Research Institute and some parent groups. These stakeholders argued that ESAs empower families, particularly those with limited means, to customize education. However, the bill faced opposition from the public school lobby. NHN elected to be neutral due to concerns about potential regulations tied to state funds. Money always comes with strings and NHN desires to keep homeschooling as independent as possible.
What People Are Saying
On X, opinions about SB 252 were polarized. Proponents praised the bill as a “game-changer” for low-income families, citing examples of parents using ESAs for specialized homeschool curricula or therapies for special-needs children. Critics, including teachers’ unions, argued it would drain public school budgets, with one X post claiming it “siphons funds from kids who need them most.” Homeschoolers expressed mixed views: some welcomed the financial support, while others echoed our concerns about government strings, referencing past ESA programs that required standardized testing or curriculum approval.
Homeschooling Impact Analysis
SB 252’s failure is a mixed outcome for homeschoolers. On the positive side, ESAs could have eased financial burdens, allowing families to afford high-quality curricula, online courses, or extracurriculars like music lessons—resources that align with our goal of tailored education. For families homeschooling children with special needs, ESAs could have funded therapies or adaptive materials.
However, Nevada Homeschool Network has long opposed ESAs with onerous oversight, as they often come with requirements like mandatory assessments or state-approved curricula, which undermine the freedom granted by NRS 388D.020 and NRS 392.070. The 2015 ESA program, for example, required quarterly reports and restricted funds to “approved” providers, a model we fear could resurface. SB 252’s defeat preserves our autonomy, but the idea of ESAs will likely return in future sessions.
Get Involved
Though SB 252 is dead for 2025, similar proposals will likely reemerge. Stay informed by visiting www.leg.state.nv.us and joining Nevada Homeschool Network and HSLDA for legislative alerts. Share your homeschooling story with legislators to emphasize why our freedom matters. If ESAs return, advocate for funding without compromising our independence.