Bill expanding home-schooler sports access backed

Credit: BOB BROWN/TIMES-DISPATCH

Del. Rob B. Bell, R-Albemarle (upper right) talked to home schoolers and their parents after his bill was backed today.

By: Olympia Meola | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: February 01, 2012

A measure designed to make it easier for home-schooled students to play sports in public schools cleared a key hurdle this morning by securing the approval of the House Education Committee.

It's the first time a measure with this goal has made it past this committee, and it now heads to the full House of Delegates with the blessing of Gov. Bob McDonnell.

After passionate arguments on both sides, the committee passed the measure 14-8.

Under the bill, no public school would be able to become a member of an organization whose purpose is to govern interscholastic programs if it bars participation by home-schooled students who have reported academic progress for two years, are under the age of 19, are amateurs who receive no compensation and who comply with disciplinary and other rules for public high school athletes. The student would only be able to participate in programs at the school serving the attendance zone where they live.

Supporters argue that they pay taxes that support the public schools and for various reasons, choose to educate their child at home.

Opponents argue that the bill would create an unlevel playing field for all students because students who attend public schools have a set schedule with certain academic requirements and can be disciplined by a coach for things like being late to class or being disruptive. Further, they said, playing on team sports is considered a privilege for students and sometimes the only thing that keeps them in school.

(This has been a breaking news update. Check back for more details as they become available. Read more in tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch.)

Bill expanding home-schooler sports access backed

Share This:

More from this channel:

Reader Comments

Deal of the Day

Virginia Politics Blog

Most Popular