Bill would allow home-schooled students on school teams, bands
March 24, 2009 By BRIAN LYMAN/Press-Register
MONTGOMERY — A Senate committee is scheduled to consider a bill next week that would let home-schooled students participate in athletics and some other activities at public schools.
Under the bill by state Sen. Hank Erwin, R-Montevallo, home-schoolers could join extracurricular activities such as teams and bands as long as they registered with the school, paid all fees and maintained academic and disciplinary standards.
State Senator Hank Erwin, whose children were homeschooled, introduced a similar bill last year and it didn’t leave committee. He’s trying again this year. From the Press-Register:
Sally Howell, executive director of the Association of Alabama School Boards, said that the bill would be unfair to public school students.
“School athletics are part of the school program, and the students participating in them meet certain academic standards and certain discipline standards,” she said. “There’s no way of ensuring that students coming from home schools meet those standards.”
How will “certain academic standards and certain discipline standards” be met in order to have homeschoolers participate in the public school programs?
Some groups that assist home-schoolers already provide activities for them. The Baldwin Christian Home Educators’ Association, which works with about 120 families, has established a traveling forensic team, and is trying to create a cross country team.
Felicia Coker, one of the coordinators of the BCHEA, said that members have different opinions on public school access. The group is neutral on Erwin’s bill.
“I understand the side of the issue that says, ‘Oh we pay taxes, and equal access, and due process,’” she said. “And then there’s the stance that a lot of people pay taxes who don’t have equal access. There’s an elderly couple down the street that pays taxes and can’t get into an art class.”
Bill Armstrong said on June 17, 2009
We have decided to home school our children next school year. We are very interested in athletics for our children. Please keep us aware of the decisions made reguarding this situation.
Thanks
Bill & Paige Armstrong
Susan said on June 17, 2009
Hi Bill and Paige,
You might want to check out the homeschool support groups, as it looks like there are several sports opportunities within the homeschool network. Then you won’t have to worry about the public school attached strings to participate.
http://www.homeedmag.com/groups/306/alabama-support-groups/
Enjoy your new homeschooling adventure!