Homeschoolers looking for a break

I'm sure we've all watched one of those movies where the underdog team tries to compete against the favorite. Tension builds as the ruling comes in that the underdog is not eligible to participate because of some type of regulation. Then someone in the crowd starts the chant "let them play," and soon everyone in the stands is on their feet yelling "let them play, let them play."

Before you know it the underdogs are on the field playing with all their heart, and by some miraculous twist of fate they win the game. As the movie nears an end we watch dumbstruck while the opposing team, who just moments earlier tried to stonewall these kids from playing and then all but cheated to try and win, stretches out their hands to shake and say "good game."

Only in Hollywood right?

Across the nation the debate is playing itself out in state capitals and courthouses: should homeschoolers be allowed to play with their public school peers? For years now the local homeschoolers in our community have been fighting for their chance to play. Many of the roughly 2 1/2 million children across the US who take part in the most popular form of alternative schooling, homeschooling, are not afforded this privilege. It's only been in recent years that many states have made strides toward creating or enhancing equal access to sports and other activities for homeschoolers.

Currently only 24 states allow homeschoolers equal access to participate in extracurricular activities at public schools.

In December 2005, a milestone was reached for Tennessee homeschoolers when the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) changed its bylaws to permit member schools to compete athletically against homeschooled teams or individuals. It did not, however, go so far as to allow homeschooled students to participate as members of public school teams.

So what becomes of those communities who do not have enough interested homeschoolers to form a team; or whose residents cannot make the 60-90 mile drive for practice each day to play in a neighboring town that does have a team; or those communities whose potential players lack the necessary funds for uniforms, travel expense, tournaments, etc. to form a team of their own? What options are afforded to taxpayers whose children are denied the chance to participate in public school activities-a public school for which their tax dollars help fund?

Home school families pay taxes to support public education, even though they choose to have their children schooled at home at their own expense. If parents choose not to utilize all of the amenities that a public school has to offer, that is their right, but for the schools to take an "all or nothing" stance and require that they either use all of the services or none at all seems akin to requiring that all elderly be admitted to a nursing home for services that could easily be administered in their homes, and if they choose in-home services then denying them any activities otherwise offered to them. The tone on this matter seems to be one of "either you're in or you're out."

That was the dilemma we faced recently with our 14-year-old daughter, Lillie. Having come under the misimpression that House Bill 72 -- an Act to open interscholastic public school activities to home school students -- had been passed, we eagerly drove our daughter to summer tryouts for the Shelbyville Central High School girls soccer team, coached by Neil Gordon. Lillie was one of two homeschoolers who attended tryouts and made the team. Both girls spent nearly four weeks practicing with the team and participating in scrimmage games before receiving a call from Gordon informing us that House Bill 72 had been withdrawn. We had to choose either to enroll our daughter at Central for the coming academic term or pull her from a team with whom she had bonded and formed friendships, leaving her with no other option but to play for a recreational team where her athletic challenges and coaching might be limited.

Central was open-minded enough to encourage and accept home schooled kids into their sports program with great cordiality and hospitality. Lillie was welcomed into the fold like any other student, and Gordon, principal Don Embry and assistant principal/athletic director Whit Taylor each supported her choice to home educate while participating with the soccer team. They fought hard on Lillie's behalf, albeit to no avail.

Needless to say, after much thought we made the decision to enroll our daughter at Central, while the other homeschooler chose to withdraw from the team. Lillie went on to end the season as the fourth leading scorer on the team and was awarded the title of Most Improved Player at the end of the term. I believe not only coach Gordon, but her teammates would state that Lillie was an asset to the team, bringing with her a thirst for growth and knowledge of the game, and a conviction to win as a whole.not segregate to lead on her own as so many opponents fear homeschoolers will do.

While we had every intention of allowing our daughter to finish the remainder of the school year at Central, we've since felt it in her best interest and benefit to continue the year being educated at home. We did not come to this decision lightly, and there were many mitigating factors which influenced our choice. We've resolved ourselves to doing everything in our power to give Lillie the best education to meet her individual needs, as well as the best opportunity to pursue a future in soccer. Like many parents these days, we are even entertaining the possibility of moving to one of our neighboring equal access states. It seems a shame that it would come to that.

Ian Slatter, the director of media relations for Purcell, a nonprofit advocacy organization that defends the constitutional rights of homeschooling families was quoted as saying, "There is definitely a trend toward equal access. As the number of homeschoolers entering their high school years increases, there is tremendous pressure from home school parents to gain access to public school sports teams. I think you'll see more states like Pennsylvania recognizing a standard equivalent-of-instruction policy and allowing homeschoolers access. I don't anticipate an avalanche of states opening up their programs, but over time -- especially if we're not seeing problems with homeschoolers playing sports in other states -- I think the trend is going to be toward more openness."

Despite these laws, equal access to homeschoolers is not offered without some strings attached. One contention presented by opponents to the bill in Tennessee is the concern that home school students will not be held to the same academic standards and requirements for which public school students are obligated.

Although specific requirements vary from state to state, in states currently offering equal access participation, home school students can typically participate in public school programs only if certain requirements are met. First, the student must be in compliance with the state home school 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 home school statute does not otherwise require them.

Another concern that opponents have presented is the worry that homeschoolers will bump fully-enrolled students off team rosters. However, according to the Home School Legal Defense Association, in states that currently allow homeschoolers access to public school services, only 3 to 5 percent actually use them. Given these figures, it is not likely that home school students will over-run a public school and cost someone else a seat on the team.

If you're a sports fan, you've probably heard of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow. By now Tebow's childhood story is well known. Because of the passing of a state law in 1996, he was allowed to be homeschooled through graduation and play football for Nease [public] High School in Florida.

"How can we deny these people the rights when they pay taxes? That was the issue in the Florida legislature," said Tebow's father, Bob, who added he would have moved to where Tim could play.

Nease High School won a state title in 2005 and Tim Tebow became a top prospect. With Tebow on the field, the school suddenly had thousands of fans, played a game on ESPN and earned large amounts of money. Now imagine if the state of Florida had not passed the law and Tebow's father moved him to a more accommodating state?

For 14 years Florida has been allowing equal access to homeschoolers and guess what, it's working. And it appears to be working for the other 23 states that have also opened their sports programs to homeschoolers.

In order for House Bill 72 to be re-heard and taken seriously, supporters in Tennessee will need to contact local state representatives and raise a voice from the people. If we all stand together and chant "let them play," maybe the underdog will finally be the victor. Until then, homeschoolers in our area are stuck hearing, "You can't have your cake and eat it too!"

-- Shawna Jones of Shelbyville is the wife of T-G sports writer Jimmy Jones.