Louisiana
Equal Access Proposed
Frequently, home schoolers ask HSLDA if they have a right to access public school sports and other extracurricular activities. We tell them that there are many obstacles to such public school access, and that, ultimately, the most practical route is through the legislature.
In February, Representative Dan Flavin pre-filed a bill in the Louisiana House of Representatives which would allow home schoolers to participate in any public school extracurricular activity. As this issue goes to press, House Bill 132 has not been assigned to committee for review.
The main problem with H.B. 132 is that, while access is granted to "any student participating in an approved home study program," there is no provision made for students who home school under the private school option. Home study students seeking to participate in public school activities still must meet "all other eligibility requirements" that the public school imposes on its own students.
Families who want their children to participate in public school activities should contact their representatives and urge support for H.B. 132. HSLDA remains neutral on the issue of access to public school sports and extracurricular activities, since our primary purpose is to advance the freedom of parents to teach their children at home.
