Looking for a Middle School Reading Comprehension Worksheet Templates? Download it for free!

'Tebow' Bill To Let Home-Schoolers Play High School Sports Passes Va. House (980l) - Middle School Reading Article Worksheet Page 2

Vale Middle School Reading Article

‘Tebow’ Bill to Let Home-Schoolers Play High School Sports Passes Va. House (980L)

Notes on my thoughts,

Opponents, including some school boards and PTAs, say home-schooled kids

reactions and questions as I

are not required to meet the same academic criteria as public school athletes —

read:

attend and pass five classes per day — and that they would take team slots from

their public school counterparts.

“It’s about fairness for all students,’’ said Del. Eileen R. Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax)

as she urged her colleagues to vote against the bill.

The legislation has been introduced in Virginia since 2005 with little success,

but Republican-control of the General Assembly this year has supporters hoping

the proposal is headed for victory. Some Democrats have opposed the measure

because they think it would hurt public schools. Teachers are among the party’s

core constituencies.

Sixteen states permit home-schooled students to play sports at public schools,

according to the Purcellville-based Home School Legal Defense Association.

Nine others leave the decision to localities or do not have laws prohibiting it.

Del. Robert B. Bell (R-Charlottesville), who introduced the bill, said the children

just want a chance to compete, which they do not have now. “It’s not harder for

them. It’s impossible for them.”

There’s no estimate on the number of Virginia children who would benefit from

the law. State officials calculate that nearly 32,000 are home-schooled in

Virginia, but the association thinks there are twice as many.

The bill bans public schools from partnering with the Virginia High School

League — which governs high school activities in the state — because it forbids

home-schoolers from playing sports or being involved in other programs such as

drama, debate and yearbook. It only pertains to high schools, because children in

lower grades are often able to play at their local public schools.

Home-schooled students would have to live in their local school district, try out

for teams, and abide by disciplinary and academic criteria just like public school

students. But school districts could charge reasonable fees or opt out of the

program.

The change would sunset in 2017, and supporters would have to return to the

state to reevaluate the situation after four years.

Kumar, A. Tebow bill to let home-schoolers play high school sports passes Va. house. The

Washington Post. February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.

'Tebow' Bill To Let Home-Schoolers Play High School Sports Passes Va. House (980l) - Middle School Reading Article Worksheet Page 2