Can you really use an Arkansas school voucher for horseback riding lessons? Yes. [View all]

Parkerman Stables in Fayetteville has found itself in the middle of a social media fracas over a Facebook post encouraging homeschool families to use their school vouchers on riding lessons.

“Our expert instructors will teach you everything you need to know about horse care, riding techniques, and more, while giving you hands-on experience in a group or individually with our well-trained horses,” said the post, which has since been deleted. “We now proudly accept Arkansas Learns!”

The Arkansas LEARNS Act, signed into law in 2023 by Gov. Sarah Sanders, created a voucher program that sends public money to private school families to use for tuition, fees and other expenses. This school year, the program is open to many homeschoolers as well. Homeschool families don’t have tuition bills to pay, but they’re able to use voucher funds for a variety of other education-related expenses, such as books and supplies, curricula, computers and other technology, and private tutoring.

Extracurricular activities are fair game as well. A list of 569 “education service providers” approved for participation in the LEARNS voucher program as of Nov. 18 includes climbing gyms, dance studios, jiu-jitsu instructors — and at least seven equestrian-related vendors, according to a cursory review by the Arkansas Times. Along with Parkerman Stables, the list includes Echo Valley Arabians (Gravette), JST Rockin B Ranch (Gentry), Pine Hill Ranch (Little Rock), Wofford Ranch (Vilonia), Equestrian Zone (Dardanelle) and TLC, Incorporated – Stable Connections (Hot Springs). At least one other vendor that has recently been approved is not on the list.

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https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2024/11/27/can-you-really-use-an-arkansas-school-voucher-for-horseback-riding-lessons-yes