My first post is the background to the video on my blog. Our youngest son is a talented athlete in both soccer and baseball. He has played on many recreational league and club soccer teams, as well as on Dixie Youth/Boys baseball teams and all-star teams.
Unfortunately, when he reached high school age, his opportunities in sports became extremely limited. The boys with whom he had played sports since he was 5 years old wanted him to play with them on the local middle school and high school teams, but in our state of Alabama, that is not allowed.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association, which regulates public school sports in the state, prohibits anyone who is not enrolled full-time in the public school from playing on that school's team.
As tax payers whose dollars go to support the public schools, we wondered why our son could not try out for the teams or even participate in other extracurricular activities at the public schools in our district. We soon found that we were not alone in our dilemma.
Other parents across the state with athletic children joined with us in supporting a bill in the Alabama legislature to allow equal access for homeschoolers to sports and other extracurricular activities at their local schools.
The bill was soon dubbed the "Tim Tebow Bill," after Florida's Heisman Trophy winning quarterback. Tim Tebow was homeschooled in Florida, but because of equal access laws in that state, he was allowed to play football for his local high school team. That's where his talent was discovered, and he became the most recruited high school quarterback in the nation.
Our bill has not seen much success thus far. Because of opposition from the Alabama Education Association and the Alabama High School Athletic Association, we have not been able to get the bill out of committee. From our lobbying efforts, we believe that if the bill came to a vote on the floor, it would pass.
Currently, 23 states support equal access in some form for homeschoolers. We believe that passage of this bill would benefit not only homeschool athletes, but also the entire education system in Alabama. After all, homeschool parents will be super athletic boosters and promoters of academic excellence.
The video on this blog was filmed by ESPN's Outside the Lines because of the growing interest in this issue across the nation as homeschooling continues to grow. The ESPN crew followed our family around for a couple of days and filmed segments for the show. It is a very positive piece. Watch it and tell me what you think.
To learn more about our efforts in Alabama, visit http://www.timtebowbill.com/
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8 comments:
We live in CO and in the town we live, if you are a part time public school student, you can participate in the school athletic programs.
It is not ideal, but at least allows for the opportunity.
Perhaps this year will be your year for the bill to pass. IMO it is far past time.
Hi, Marcia,
When we homeschooled we ended up having our two children enroll in city baseball/softball leagues, which worked okay for us at the time. We are in Florida and I don't know what the current legislation is for homeschoolers who want to participate in public school sports. Had our children been inclined to play more we would certainly have done all we could to get them involved, as you are doing now.
If a highschool-aged athlete is interested in a professional sports career, he/she needs to be able to play in order to be noticed by scouts. Even if they're not interested in professional sports, some areas don't have a lot to offer in city leagues for highschool age students because the assumption is that they're playing school sports.
So keep on working towards the sports inclusion for Alabama and let us know how it goes!
Blessings,
Joan
Caregiver at Home
http://CaregiverEncouragement.com/
Hi Marcia,
When we lived in SC this subject came up; but, my oldest isn't that athletic and then we moved.
Here in GA -- I'm not sure what the rules are; but I know I'll be looking into for my youngest.
MzRenaissance
http://LadyRenaissance.blogspot.com
PA passed legistlature (I think) to make it possible for the kids to play on school teams. I know the concept is highly controversial even amongst homeschoolers because some homeschoolers feel strongly that any mixture with public money/public schools puts homeschooling at risk.
I think it is important our kids have the opportunities for extra-curricular involvement that could not be offered within my home for reasons such as needing enough kids to have a team :-)
Aimee
http://konosjourney.blogspot.com/
In Texas, home schools are legally considered private schools. Concern is if the legislature would provide access by creating a new, separate home school definition which might also remove the protection Texas home schools currently receive as a private school.
Plus, entanglement with public institutions usually carry big strings attached. Texas public schools use their sports and other extra-curricular activities to entice their students to not drop out. The same has been bait to bring home schoolers into the public school system. Most superintendents are not in favor of allowing home schoolers access. A local soccer coach tried to explore this option and ran up against the proverbial “stone wall.”
On the other hand, for many rural students, it is not easy to develop an alternative league or join a select team close-by. Recreational opportunities diminish for the high school age because most area high schoolers are already involved in their public school sports.
Tidbit: UIL (University Interscholastic League, a non-profit organization begun in 1909 at the University of Texas) events (music, academics, and sports) were originally open to private schools as well as public schools. Today only the large private schools (5A level) may apply if they also meet accreditation and permanent building requirements.
IMHO, this would be a safer direction for Texas homeschoolers to push for access to. Local public schools would not be given jurisdiction over the participating home schools.
The issue is divided among Texans, but I wish you well in Alabama.
Here in Iowa it's possible to "dual enroll" your child making them eligible for ANY class or extra-curricular activity offered. It's a nice option. Well worth fighting for!
Hi Marcia,
We have not dealt with the issue directly, but know others who have.
We have some counties in SC with homeschool football and basketball leagues that have done well enough to gain the attention of some colleges.
Hopefully this year will be the year for you.
Brenda
http://RecollectionsFromDowneast.blogspot.com/
I agree with Diana's comments of having to be careful about becoming entangled in public school activities.
This situation may be similar to school vouchers. If you accept benefits from someone or something, be wary of what consequences that may bring in the future.
I, too, am from Texas so I am cautious of government intrusion into homeschooling. We fought long and hard for homeschoolers in Texas to be considered private schools. For those of you who are old enough, remember the court case "Leeper vs. Arlington".
All of that said, each family under the guidance of Almighty God has to make their own decisions on these issues. Afterall, He's the one who lead us to homeschool in the first place.
Best wishes,
Susan
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