“Tim Tebow Bill” to allow homeschoolers extra-curricular access

An editorial by the Bowling Green Daily News was published yesterday (February 17, 2009)

Homeschooled kids deserve the same chances

We believe that the idea of allowing homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics and band has merit and deserves consideration.

A House bill filed by state Rep. Brad Montell, R-Shelbyville, would allow homeschooled students to participate in public school sports, music events and other extracurricular activities.

Kentucky House Bill 179 excerpt:

(a)    “Home school” means a nonpublic school in which one (1) or more children of not more than two (2) families or households receive full-time supervised academic instruction from a parent, legal guardian, or member of either household; and
(b)    “Interscholastic extracurricular activity” means participation in a school authorized band or sports team practice or competition.
(2)    (a)    A student enrolled in a home school is eligible to participate in interscholastic extracurricular activities sponsored by or engaged in by the public school to which the student would be assigned according to district school board attendance policies or which the student could choose to attend pursuant to district open enrollment provisions.

From the Bowling Green commentary:

Twenty-four other states have already passed laws to allow equal extracurricular access, yet many of their eligibility requirements differ.

Nine other states, including Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina, are proposing similar legislation.

Proponents of an Alabama “Tim Tebow Bill” -Variations of the bill have not left the Education Committee for last four years

From January 2, 2009 Tim Tebow a shining example for homeschooled athletes Different rules: Oklahoma homeschoolers have own teams By Jenni Carlson

Listen to Oklahoma’s homeschool community, and you’ll hear few complaints.

Perhaps that is because the opportunities are meeting the needs. Just in the Oklahoma City area, there are homeschool teams in basketball, baseball, softball and football among others.

There’s even homeschool fencing.

Final words from the BG Daily News editorial:

There are legitimate questions and concerns on both sides of the issue. They need to be further addressed and answered, but these same types of questions likely arose in the 24 states that have similar laws and were ultimately resolved.

Hopefully, the bill, which is currently in the House education committee, will be discussed and these questions answered.

Why the Question of Homeschoolers’ Playing Public School Sports Affects All Homeschoolers

Home Education Magazine columnists-Larry and Susan Kaseman

Should homeschoolers be allowed to play on public school sports teams? This question is being asked around the country, especially as the number of homeschoolers of high school age increases and as homeschooling gains wider acceptance.

At first glance, having homeschoolers on public school sports teams might seem like a good idea. It would provide one more opportunity for homeschoolers, one more example of society’s acceptance of homeschooling. However, a closer look reveals that it would undermine our homeschooling freedoms. Fortunately, the vast majority of homeschoolers do not support homeschoolers’ playing public school sports, and many are opposed.

Unfortunately, the question is receiving more attention than it deserves. A few of the families who do want their children to play public school sports are strongly committed and vocal. In addition, inaccurate information on the issue has appeared in the mainstream media. And some legislators who want to help homeschoolers and gain our support (and votes) mistakenly think they can do this by introducing legislation to make it possible for homeschoolers to play public school sports.

This column will discuss problems with changing state laws and regulations to allow homeschoolers to play public school sports. It will then show how the uncritical acceptance of media coverage of this topic can lead to loss of homeschooling freedoms. Finally, suggestions will be given for what we can do.

continued here

Tags: Brad Montell, Tim Tebow