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NEW MEXICO

Homeschool team fights to compete

Just one day before they were scheduled to participate in a tournament, members of the Jemez Mountain Home School Speech and Debate Team (JMHS) were notified that they were no longer eligible to compete in interscholastic events in New Mexico. Despite their successful 2003–04 season and many years of participation in state competitions, JMHS students were barred from competing because they were homeschooled.

Homeschoolers have not taken this ruling quietly. Although the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) claims that participation in interscholastic activities is a privilege, homeschoolers protest any ruling that excludes an entire category of students. A ruling that shuts all homeschoolers out of any chance to compete is discrimination, pure and simple.

Representative James Taylor and Senator Cynthia Nava each introduced resolutions in the state legislature calling for a review of NMAA's actions. Although Senator Nava's resolution passed the Senate Education Committee, neither resolution was adopted by the full house.

NMAA's new executive director has discussed the matter with homeschool leaders, but the NMAA board has been unwilling to make any changes to their policy—yet. Home School Legal Defense Association will be working closely with state homeschool leaders to eliminate this unfair treatment at the earliest opportunity.

— by Scott W. Somerville