April 5, 2007 – Should homeschoolers participate in public school extracurricular activities such as sports and athletics? That’s what a bill soon to be introduced to the Florida legislature will allow, if passed. The bill honors Tim Tebow, a homeschooler who is now a Florida Gators quarterback. While he was being homeschooled he was allowed to participate in a high school sports program.
However, whether other Florida homeschoolers will be welcome is still a matter of debate. Some say that homeschoolers might overwhelm the athletic system; they express concern about academic standards and costs such as liability insurance. Someone even brought up the idea that students ineligible for athletics would use homeschooling to get back on their teams.
“The whole objection is based on the fact that these students have chosen homeschool over public school,” Rep. Jeremy Oden said. “But our argument – and my argument – is that the tax dollars from these individuals’ moms and dads pay goes to these institutions.
Other extracurricular activities may be included, including music and arts programs. Homeschooled students in Florida must register with a legal umbrella that has curriculum approved by the state, so academic standards should not be questioned, according to Oden.
My opinion on this is divided. Though I’m totally in favor of the separation of school and state, I know from my years of homeschooling that entry into some public school programs may be a necessity for many students. Where I live, in a very small town, there are few other opportunities for children to do anything with other kids. Exclusion from public school programs, even the dances, was a real problem for us. Though I’d like to see all public schools disappear forever, it is a sign of the times that I’m in favor of this bill. So long as the society allows public education to dominate, homeschooled students should be allowed to participate in the programs their family pays for.
Source: Florida Homeschool bill revisited by Evan Belanger of the Cullman Times