Should Homeschoolers and Public School Children Play Together?

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

19 Mar 2007 12:00 PM

Sounds like a silly question doesn't it?

Well, it is actually the cause for debate in Georgia right now. Currently, SB 85, a bill that allows Equal Access to Extracurricular Activities for home/private school students is being discussed in the Georgia General Assembly. SB 85 is a BILL "to amend Part 14 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to other educational programs, so as to provide that home school students and private school students may participate in extracurricular activities of public schools; to provide a short title; to provide a definition; to provide for conditions of participation; to provide for nondiscrimination against such students; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes." In short, The bill will allow homeschoolers and private school students to join public schoolers in their extra curricular activities. and also to define under what conditions they can participate.

To some it sounds like a good idea for homeschooled kids, though they would have to pay an additional fee, would have the benefit of services their taxes pay for. For the team in general, there would also be greater access to a talented pool of students for competition. However, there are people on both sides who are opposed.

Many homeschoolers are opposed to HB 85 it because they feel that along with public school privileges, homeschoolers will also be saddled with public school restrictions.

Homeschool opponents are opposed to it because they feel that if homeschoolers want to be separate, they need to stay separate and not be allowed to pick and choose where they will participate.

I am really on the fence on this one leaning a bit towards not liking the proposed legislation. While I like the idea of not having to travel across the county for homeschool activities, which are often postponed, and even discontinued without notice, I don't feel I need the local public school telling me how to homeschool, when they know nothing about homeschooling per se.

Read Equal Access Laws for Homeschoolers by Valorie Delp.

Participate in this forum discussing equal access laws.

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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Valorie Delp (49340) 23 Mar 2007 06:16 PM

Very interesting Andrea. I am generally opposed to equal access laws although I'm not opposed to homeschoolers playing on public school teams--especially when there are no other options. I hope you write a follow up blog.

Senee (12) 24 Mar 2007 07:01 AM

I am a homeschooling mom of 4 children ages 8 years - 17 years. I know that the homeschool meetings can be difficult to keep a working schedule that suits everyone, ours has disbanded due to this, though we still stay in touch. I do however agree that as tax payers we should be allowed to join together as a community, but I would never act upon it personally for my own children. I have known some homeschooling families that have done it here in Missouri and seem to enjoy it and everything goes just fine. It is nice to know people are getting more and more choices, though. I hope this helps Andrea.