Homeschooled children currently are not allowed to compete on public school teams.
That may change, however, as a bill that would allow homeschooled kids to play for public school sports passed in an education subcommittee today by a 6-2 vote. The bill is gaining momentum and has the endorsement of Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Sponsored by Del. Robert B. Bell, R-Albemarle, the bill forbids public schools from joining any organization that does not allow homeschoolers to play sports.
If the bill is passed, the VHSL, the governing body for high school athletics which opposes the bill, would be forced to either allow homeschoolers or shut its doors.
The bill has been nicknamed the "Tim Tebow law" because the Broncos quarterback was homeschooled.
Before an overcrowded conference room at the General Assembly building today, parents and children spoke about not having the opportunity to play sports because they were homeschooled.
The homeschooled student would have to live in the district of the school for which he or she plays. Also, the student has to have two years of homeschooling before he can join a team. This prevents a player from dropping out of high school and continuing to play sports under the guise of homeschooling.
VHSL executive director Ken Tilley opposes the bill because homeschoolers are unable to meet the 13 eligibility requirements to play sports at a public school. Tilley said the bill applies one set of standards to public school students and another set to homeschoolers.
At the crux of the issue is the "pass five, take five" requirement that says a student must be taking five classes and passing five classes in order to play.
Bell admitted that there is no way a homeschooled student can meet this requirement.
While Bell requests a level playing field for homeschooled students, the VHSL and other administrators argue that the bill gives an advantage to homeschooled students. Without the constraints of a high school schedule, a homeschooled student could potentially practice more than a public school student.
Homeschooled students in the Richmond area currently have the option to play some sports for homeschool teams like the Central Virginia Disciples. Some who live in less densely populated areas and want to play less popular sports have no options to play at all.
An amendment was added to the bill that the provisions will expire in 2017. This allows the bill to be tested. If it isn't successful, then it will cease after four years. If it is successful, it will need to be voted again for continuation.
The next step for the bill is the education committee, which is expected to discuss the bill next week. If it's made into a law, it is expected to take effect at the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.
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