Excluding Homeschool Students from Extracurriculars

Last week several parents commented on why home school children should be excluded from extracurricular activities in public school. I cannot understand why. I’ve struggled to find who (except the homeschool children) are injured by including more children in after school activities. Does the band have too many musicians, the chorus too many singers, are the clubs running out of chairs for their members in which to sit? Many schools barely have enough players to field teams (admittedly while others cut 50; a problem in and of itself). As a teacher I have long been an advocate of less homework and more implementation of what students learn during the day in extracurricular activities; thus creating an environment that enhances the practical application of knowledge, not just the memorization of facts.

I understand the motive for a parent excluding participation of other children who are directly competing with their child for a coveted position on a team or club. But it’s a competitive disservice to the child as he or she prepares for life after graduation. I disagree, but can understand. I understand that adults may have political, religious and philosophical disagreements with the Homeschool concept. I know from experience that students rarely become involved with and care little about the nature and content of athletic or activities debates. It is difficult to understand why anyone adult would exclude and deny an opportunity for a child to engage in the process of learning how to socialize, compete, and cooperate.

Estimates suggest that there are 40,000 to 60,000 homeschooled children in Virginia. They are doing public school parents a big favor. While paying their share of taxes they reduce classroom size and decrease the student to teacher ratio. However another parent writes, “An argument to be made is that homeschool kids would be more likely to stay in home schools if they were allowed to compete in HS varsity sports (and extracurricular activities) and therefore everyone wins.”

While a minor occurrence, but a major factor in the future of some students, preventing talented actors, singers, dancers, musicians, debaters, and athletes from developing and competing in public school arena diminishes the possibility of student athletes from participating in collegiate sports, which is what the “Tebow Act” addresses.

In the competitive sports arenas no one has suggested that the athletic skill level be lowered to accommodate homeschoolers. All students must meet competitive standards for the particular school which they would attend; which by the way vary greatly. Fairfax Public Schools establish incredibly low academic standards that allow failing students to participate in after school sports. As stated on the FCPS website “The Virginia High School League (VHSL) requires a student to have passed at least five (of a normal load seven) classes for credit the previous semester and to be currently enrolled in at least five classes for graduation credit to be eligible.”  By rule the student could fail two classes and receive a “D” on five. On a 4.0 scale a student with a 1.0 GPA or less is eligible to participate. To my knowledge, homeschoolers, who generally have much higher academic standards, have not asked that the education bar be raised.

This community, this culture has become home to many of us because of the nature of its highly educated residents who consistently evoke the term inclusion. That enlighten and educated culture, especially in these regressive days of Virginia legislation, should continue to reaffirm equal rights, equal pay, equal opportunity – even for students whether at home or in a classroom.

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