Students who receive home instruction; participation in public school interscholastic programs.
Impact
The bill seeks to broaden opportunities for home-schooled students, potentially easing the pathway for them to engage in sports and extracurricular activities that foster educational, physical, mental, and social growth. Supporters of the bill contend that it opens avenues for enhancing the well-rounded development of home-schooled students, ensuring they can benefit from the collaborative environment that interscholastic programs provide. Local school boards would be responsible for establishing policies governing the participation of such students.
Summary
House Bill 65, titled 'Students who receive home instruction; participation in public school interscholastic programs,' aims to amend the Code of Virginia by allowing students who receive home instruction to participate in interscholastic programs governed by public schools. It sets specific eligibility criteria that these students must meet to ensure they are adequately prepared and adhering to the same standards and rules as their peers in public schools. This includes showing evidence of academic progress over two consecutive years and complying with immunization requirements.
Contention
However, the bill has not gone without opposition. Critics may argue that allowing home-schooled students to participate in public school programs might create disparities in access and fairness, particularly around resource allocation and equity among all students. Some might express concerns regarding the costs of participation, citing that while fees can be charged to cover costs, it could be a barrier to truly equitable inclusion in these programs. Additionally, the legislation allows for local school boards to determine their policies, which may lead to inconsistencies across different jurisdictions.