(The Center Square) – Homeschool students in North Carolina or anywhere else across the country should not be discriminated against at time for application to college, says a congressman from the 8th Congressional District.
Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., on Wednesday introduced the Homeschool Graduation Recognition Act. The proposal is a means to closure of what he says is a “legal loophole” utilized by colleges and universities across the country.
“No student should ever face discrimination or disadvantage during the college admissions process simply because they were homeschooled,” Harris said in a statement. “Yet, many universities still treat homeschoolers as second-class applicants by requiring excessive documentation and additional testing. With nearly 3 million homeschooled students across America, it’s long past time to end this discrimination and guarantee every student a fair shot at higher education.”
Total students being homeschooled in the state is unclear. According to the U.S. Census, it’s 10% of nearly 4 million. According to the Non-Public Education’s division for the state, in 2024-25 it is estimated 165,243 students are being educated in 101,880 homeschools. The latter estimate is conservative in context to homeschools with students below the age of 7 by law not having to officially open as a school.
The Home School Legal Defense Association, led by President Jim Mason, favors the legislation.
He said in a statement, “The Home School Graduation Recognition Act will eliminate ambiguity, prevent ongoing misinterpretation, and ensure equal treatment for homeschool graduates by clarifying that homeschool graduates meet the definition of high school graduates for federal student aid purposes.”
