Sports Law: Can Home Schooled Students Play Varsity Sports?
Thousands of children are home-schooled in every state, but does that mean they should be ban from participating in public school athletics? Louisiana recently passed a law allowing it this type of participation, but there is still some debate among superintendents on what effects this new law will have on the upcoming school year.
The law says any home-schooled student who is allowed on a high school team must live in that school's attendance zone, fulfill the same academic and physical requirements of other student-athletes and can be kicked off teams, as any other student. The law says parents must provide insurance and cannot sue if a school rejects or dismisses a home-schooled student from playing sports.
Apparently, Louisiana officials are uncertain about the ramifications. Suffice it to say, the issues will play themselves out over the coming school year and beyond. The bottom line is that this is probably good news for kids who are home schooled. It also means that those kids - and their parents, of course - need to ensure that they comply with the eligibility requirements as defined by the law.
Probably two of the most famous athletes that have come from home-schooling backgrounds are football stars, Tim Tebow and Jason Taylor. Grown up in Pennsylvania Taylor was allowed to play at his local high school, while Tebow, a Florida resident, was also allowed to play in high school and became the first home-schooled athlete to be nominated for the Heisman Trophy.
Since 1996, Florida legislation has allowed home-schooled students to participate in athletics at schools within the districts they live. Tebow's success has also inspired citizens of other states to propose legislation allowing equal access for home-schooled children. A few states, such as Alabama, have even named this proposed legislation the "Tim Tebow Bill."
Currently about 24 states allow equal access to home-schooled children, and each state involves different eligibility requirements. If your children are home-schooled and looking to participate in public school extracurricular activities it would be wise to consult a sports lawyer to be sure you comply with your states requirements.
