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| Date: From: Subject: | 1/27/2010 2:50:20 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Louisiana: High School Athletic Association Vote to Allow Access to Sports |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== January 27, 2010 Louisiana: High School Athletic Association Vote to Allow Access to Sports Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: Beginning today the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) will hold its annual convention. At the 2010 convention LHSAA member schools will be voting on proposed changes to the bylaws and rules of the Association. Two of these proposals could have an impact on homeschool students and their ability to participate in interscholastic athletics. Item No. 4 on the agenda would amend Rule 1.31 of the LHSAA bylaws to allow home study students the ability to participate in interscholastic sports. According to the proposed rule change, home study students would have to notify a member school within the attendance zone that they live in within the first 11 days for the school year in order to be eligible to participate in athletics. The principal would have to approve of the student's participation. However, item No. 5 on the agenda would amend the very same rule, Rule 1.31, to state that home school students would be ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics. Currently the only way a home study student can participate is if he or she is enrolled in a LHSAA member school and his or her grades are transferred and recorded on the student's official school transcript. They basically have to be satellite students of that school. Depending on how the LHSAA member schools vote for these proposals, home study students could become eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at their local school or they could be determined to be ineligible to participate. This information is provided to inform our members and friends of issues that could impact homeschooling in Louisiana. HSLDA, as an organization, is neutral on the issue of participation in public school activities, including interscholastic athletics. ACTION SUGGESTED: Due to our neutral position, HSLDA does not have any action to suggest. However, if you are interested in this issue, the contact information for the LHSAA Executive Committee can be found at: http://www.lhsaa.org/executive_committee.php . We understand that Senator Jody Amedee is no longer on the Committee. BACKGROUND: Over a dozen states currently require public schools to allow homeschoolers access to classes or sports. These include Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington. In both Arizona and Oregon, the law only requires school districts to allow access to "interscholastic" activities. Yet the effect of the laws in these two states generally allows homeschoolers to participate in any activities they choose. Despite these laws, equal access to homeschoolers is not offered without some strings attached. Although specific requirements vary from state to state, homeschool students can typically participate in public school programs only if certain requirements are met. First, the student must be in compliance with the state homeschool law. Second, the student must meet the same eligibility requirements as a public school student. Finally, the state requires the student to verify that he or she is passing his or her core subjects. Consequently, the homeschooler may be required to provide achievement test scores or periodic academic reports, even if the state's homeschool statute does not otherwise require them. Do parents have the right to choose the amount of public education their children receive? Although the courts have said "no," the state legislatures and some high school athletic associations are beginning to say "yes." Courts do not find any "right" for homeschoolers to receive access to government funded educational services. State legislators, however, seem open to allowing homeschoolers the privilege of access to public school activities. Part of the reason for this trend is financial. School districts in some areas are beginning to feel a decrease in funds due to the increasing number of students leaving public schools for private and home education. Schools may try to compete with private education by luring those students back with sports and academic classes, in order to regain at least partial funding for those students. The access trend is not without potential hazards. Access supporters must remember to guard the right of parents to remain free from extraneous government regulation when they receive no government services. Despite both legal and political controversies, opening access to homeschoolers appears to be a growing trend. For more information on equal access, please see our memorandum at http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000000/00000049.asp Sincerely, Thomas J. Schmidt HSLDA Staff Attorney ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> For as little as 33 cents a day... There's not much you can get for 33 cents a day. Why not put your money toward peace of mind for yourself, your family, and their future? More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1110 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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