For Immediate Release: New Regulations Could Help Prevent Identification Abuse of Homeschooled Students
Canton, Mass., 3/19/15—Texas House Bill 2794 could benefit homeschooled children and alumni, according to Rachel Coleman, Executive Director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. The bill, which was introduced by Rep. Marsha Farney (R) in response to a social media push by Alecia Pennington, will make it easier for individuals to apply for delayed birth certificates and will provide criminal penalties for parents who refuse to sign an affidavit attesting to their child’s birth. “The filing of this bill is an important step for victims of identification abuse, particularly those in the homeschool community who may lack corroborating records,” Coleman said.
“Identification abuse” refers to a parent or guardian’s deliberate refusal to supply their child with vital identification documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licenses, etc., generally as a way of limiting the child’s ability to live as an independent adult. In a 2014 survey of 3,700 homeschool alumni, approximately one in ten of those who reported experiencing abuse as children also reported that their caregiver had committed identification abuse, defined as “not providing you with, withholding, or destroying any of your identification documents.” “Though identification abuse can happen to anyone, homeschooled children are disproportionately affected as a result of inadequate legal oversight of homeschooling,” Coleman said.
Texas law requires parents to file birth certificates for their children; this paperwork is typically handled by hospitals or, in the case of homebirth, midwives. However, when Alecia Pennington was born in 1996, her parents allegedly sought out a midwife who agreed not to file the required paperwork. Because Texas does not require homeschooling parents to submit a copy of their child’s birth certificate to the local school district, Alecia’s lack of identifying documents was not addressed until she left home as an adult. The Coalition for Responsible Home Education believes the homeschooling requirements in Texas should change. “Homeschooling should not serve as a loophole to allow children’s lack of identifying documentation to go unnoticed,” said Coleman.
Applying for a delayed birth certificate conventionally involves producing medical or school documents, but some homeschool graduates may not have either of these—homeschooling parents in Texas are not required to turn in documentation of their children’s academic progress, and state-mandated medical exams do not apply to homeschooled students. “If we want to protect homeschool graduates from identification abuse, we need to change our documentation and medical requirements for homeschoolers,” Coleman noted. “While this bill does not secure homeschoolers against the possibility of identification abuse, it is a step in the right direction and has the potential to benefit homeschool graduates like Alecia Pennington.”
“We appreciate Rep. Farney’s attention to the rights of those filing for delayed birth certificates,” Coleman concluded. “Parents who have a moral objection to government-issued identification should not be able to deprive their children of the ability to work, attend higher education, obtain housing, and live independently.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 23 March, 2021 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Stoni Blair and Stephen Berry and Michigan’s HB 4498
For Immediate Release: Michigan Takes a Step Forward in Protecting Homeschooled Children
Canton, Ma., 4/21/15—Last month, Stoni Blair, 13, and Stephen Berry, 9, were found dead in a Detroit freezer, and their two remaining siblings bore signs of severe maltreatment. The children were allegedly subject to long-term abuse by their mother, Mitchelle Blair, who pulled them out of school to homeschool them. Rep. Stephanie Chang has introduced House Bill 4498 in an effort to prevent parents from abusing Michigan’s homeschooling law to hide child abuse, as Blair allegedly did. “This bill is a step forward for the freedom and safety of Michigan’s homeschooled children,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, a group that advocates for homeschooled children.
Michigan is one of 11 states that does not require homeschoolers to have any contact with state or local officials. Current Michigan law does not require homeschooling parents to register with the state. Homeschooling parents are not required to inform their school district that they are withdrawing a child to be homeschooled, need not show any proof that they are educating their children, and cannot be reported to social services for educational neglect. In 2012, Kalamazoo County attendance officer Jerry Jansma told the Kalamazoo Gazette that the state’s lax homeschooling law made compulsory education extremely difficult to enforce. “You’ll have a parent who is clearly neglectful and we can’t get resolution, and they’ll say, ‘I’ve decided to home-school my child’ and there’s nothing I can do about it,” he explained. “As long as home schooling is as lax as it is, it’s an avenue for parents to hide,” he added.
HB 4498 would require homeschooling parents to provide their local school district with the name and age of each child being homeschooled, along with the address of the parent or guardian. Homeschooling parents would also need to ensure that each homeschooled child meets twice a year with a mandatory reporter such as doctor, teacher, or member of the clergy, and maintain signed records of these meetings, making them available upon request. “Currently, abusive parents who use homeschooling to isolate their children from any contact with mandatory reporters aren’t breaking any law,” said Coleman. “HB 4498 would change this, and would offer some hope to Michigan homeschooled children who are currently living this nightmare. Far from than punishing homeschooling parents, HB 4498 reflects what responsible homeschooling parents already do and allows the state to identify abusive and negligent parents shielding themselves under Michigan’s homeschooling laws.”
With the passage of HB 4498, Michigan would join the ranks of the few states that offer protections for at-risk homeschooled children. “Our preliminary research suggests that homeschooled children are at a greater risk of dying from child abuse than traditionally schooled children are,” said Coleman. “This is likely because homeschooling puts at-risk children at greater risk by giving abusive parents the ability to isolate their children from contact with mandatory reporters and hide abuse, neglect, and even child fatalities.” The Coalition for Responsible Home Education maintains the Homeschooling’s Invisible Children website, which documents dozens of child abuse and neglect fatalities in homeschool settings. “Most homeschooled children are not isolated from contact with mandatory reporters,” added Coleman. “But we’re concerned about the ones who are. Every homeschooled child’s life matters.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Texas’ House Bill 347 and Senate Bill 391
For Immediate Release: Public School Sports Access Benefits Texas Homeschooled Students
Canton, Ma., 3/19/15—The University Interscholastic League (UIL) requires student athletes to be full-time students in regular attendance at the school they represent, thus effectively barring homeschooled students from participation in athletics at their local public schools. House Bill 347 and Senate Bill 391 could change this, requiring the UIL to change its criteria to allow homeschooled students to compete for their local schools. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, a group that advocates for homeschooled children.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
Texas’ House Bill 347 and Senate Bill 391 are part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
The Texas Homeschool Association supports legislation to open public school athletics to homeschooled students. While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, and also vary from region to region. “If you’re a middle class home schooler and you live in Alpine, Texas or the rural areas of West Texas you don’t have any choices,” Tim Lambert, President of the Texas Homeschool Association, told reporters. Homeschooled children should have the opportunity to participate in athletics regardless of how old they are or where they live.
“Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Texas House Bill 2794
For Immediate Release: New Regulations Could Help Prevent Identification Abuse of Homeschooled Students
Canton, Mass., 3/19/15—Texas House Bill 2794 could benefit homeschooled children and alumni, according to Rachel Coleman, Executive Director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. The bill, which was introduced by Rep. Marsha Farney (R) in response to a social media push by Alecia Pennington, will make it easier for individuals to apply for delayed birth certificates and will provide criminal penalties for parents who refuse to sign an affidavit attesting to their child’s birth. “The filing of this bill is an important step for victims of identification abuse, particularly those in the homeschool community who may lack corroborating records,” Coleman said.
“Identification abuse” refers to a parent or guardian’s deliberate refusal to supply their child with vital identification documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licenses, etc., generally as a way of limiting the child’s ability to live as an independent adult. In a 2014 survey of 3,700 homeschool alumni, approximately one in ten of those who reported experiencing abuse as children also reported that their caregiver had committed identification abuse, defined as “not providing you with, withholding, or destroying any of your identification documents.” “Though identification abuse can happen to anyone, homeschooled children are disproportionately affected as a result of inadequate legal oversight of homeschooling,” Coleman said.
Texas law requires parents to file birth certificates for their children; this paperwork is typically handled by hospitals or, in the case of homebirth, midwives. However, when Alecia Pennington was born in 1996, her parents allegedly sought out a midwife who agreed not to file the required paperwork. Because Texas does not require homeschooling parents to submit a copy of their child’s birth certificate to the local school district, Alecia’s lack of identifying documents was not addressed until she left home as an adult. The Coalition for Responsible Home Education believes the homeschooling requirements in Texas should change. “Homeschooling should not serve as a loophole to allow children’s lack of identifying documentation to go unnoticed,” said Coleman.
Applying for a delayed birth certificate conventionally involves producing medical or school documents, but some homeschool graduates may not have either of these—homeschooling parents in Texas are not required to turn in documentation of their children’s academic progress, and state-mandated medical exams do not apply to homeschooled students. “If we want to protect homeschool graduates from identification abuse, we need to change our documentation and medical requirements for homeschoolers,” Coleman noted. “While this bill does not secure homeschoolers against the possibility of identification abuse, it is a step in the right direction and has the potential to benefit homeschool graduates like Alecia Pennington.”
“We appreciate Rep. Farney’s attention to the rights of those filing for delayed birth certificates,” Coleman concluded. “Parents who have a moral objection to government-issued identification should not be able to deprive their children of the ability to work, attend higher education, obtain housing, and live independently.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting West Virginia’s House Bill 2749
For Immediate Release: Sports Access Benefits Homeschooled Students
Canton, Ma., 3/13/15—The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission requires student athletes to be enrolled in the public school they represent, thus barring participation by homeschooled students. House Bill 2749 could change this, opening the door to homeschooled students who meet certain eligibility requirements. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
West Virginia’s House Bill 2749 is part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, forcing parents to choose between homeschooling and athletic participation. “Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Virginia’s House Bill 1626
For Immediate Release: Public School Sports Access Benefits Homeschooled Students
Canton, Ma., 3/13/2015—The Virginia High School League (VHSL) requires student athletes to be regular students at the school they represent, thus barring homeschooled students from participation. House Bill 1626 could change this, requiring the VHSL to change its criteria to include student who are being homeschooled and opening the door to homeschoolers. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. The bill passed the Virginia General Assembly in February, but Governor Terry McAuliffe has until March 29th to decide whether to sign it into law.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
Virginia’s House Bill 1626 is part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers has led the charge for sports access for homeschoolers in recent years, promoting sports access bills in Virginia and conducting a survey of state athletics associations. Homeschooling parents and students across the state have spoken in favor of the bill. “I just look at it as giving all kids in Virginia a chance to play and a chance to experience being part of a sports team,” said homeschooling mother Jennifer Miller in an interview with the Daily Progress. “I think it’s just a great opportunity—as homeschooling becomes more mainstream—to see those kids as part of the community.”
While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, forcing parents to choose between homeschooling and athletic participation. “Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.” We thus urge Governor Terry McAuliffe to sign Virginia House Bill 1626 into law.
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Kansas’ Senate Bill 60
For Immediate Release: Homeschooled Students Benefit from Extracurricular Access
Canton, Ma.—The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) requires student athletes to be students at the school they represent, thus barring homeschooled students from participation. Senate Bill 60 could change this, requiring school districts to permit any student residing in the district to participate in activities offered by the school district, including athletics. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education. The bill passed the Kansas Senate in February and was referred to the House Committee on Education.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
Kansas’ Senate Bill 60 is part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, forcing parents to choose between homeschooling and athletic participation. “Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Nebraska’s Legislature Bill 103
For Immediate Release: Public School Sports Access Benefits Homeschooled Students
Canton, Ma.—The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) requires student athletes to be enrolled at least half time in the schools they represent. Legislature Bill 103 could change this, requiring the NSAA to change its criteria to include student athletes enrolled in only one course, opening the door to homeschool participation. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education, a group that advocates for homeschooled children.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
Nebraska’s Legislative Bill 103 is part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, forcing parents to choose between homeschooling and athletic participation. “Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Hawaii’s House Bill 468
For Immediate Release: Access to Public School Extracurriculars Benefits Homeschoolers
Canton, Ma.—The Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) requires student athletes to be enrolled as students in the schools they represent, thus barring homeschooled students from participation. House Bill 468 could change this, making homeschooled students eligible for involvement in extracurricular activities at their public school of residence, including athletics. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
Hawaii’s House Bill 468 is part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
Hawaii has some of the most comprehensive oversight of homeschooling in the country, meaning that homeschooling parents already work with their local school districts to ensure that their children are receiving an adequate education. Homeschooling parents must maintain records, have their children tested at the end of select grades, and submit an annual assessment demonstrating adequate progress. “Hawaii’s existing oversight should aid school officials in determining whether a homeschooled child is academically eligible to participate in athletics or other activities predicated on maintaining a certain grade point average,” noted Coleman.
While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, forcing parents to choose between homeschooling and athletic participation. “Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
2015 Statement Supporting New York Assembly Bill 3678 and Senate Bill 2175
For Immediate Release: Public School Athletics Should Be Open to Homeschoolers
Canton, Ma., 3/11/15—Currently, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) requires student athletes to be “regularly enrolled” at the public school they represent, thus barring homeschooled students from participation. Assembly Bill 3678 and Senate Bill 2175 could change this, prohibiting school districts from barring homeschoolers from interscholastic sports and thus requiring the NYSPHSAA to open the door to homeschoolers. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
New York’s Assembly Bill 3678 and Senate Bill 2175 are part of an ongoing trend toward increasing homeschooled students’ access to extracurriculars in their local public schools. Over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
New York homeschoolers, including LEAH, the largest statewide homeschool organization, support Assembly Bill 3678 and Senate Bill 2175. Gina Varrichio, a homeschooling mother, has created a website, Let Homeschoolers Play, and launched a petition to bring the bills to the floor. “The overarching aim of our public school system should be to educate the minds, exercise the bodies, and open the hearts of our children and our communities,” wrote Varrichio. “The goal should be one of supporting as many children as we can in this mission, not the fewest we’re legally allowed.”
While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, forcing parents to choose between homeschooling and athletic participation. “Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.
Last Updated: 26 October, 2023 by CRHE
Statement Supporting Missouri’s House Bill 232
For Immediate Release: Public School Sports Access Benefits Homeschooled Students
Canton, Ma., 3/11/15—Currently, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) requires student athletes to be enrolled in an 80% course load at the school they represent. House Bill 232 could change this by requiring school districts participating in MSHSAA activities to give homeschooled students the opportunity to participate. “Granting homeschooled students access to public school extracurriculars is one of the most important ways lawmakers can support homeschooled students,” said Rachel Coleman, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education.
Participation in public school athletics and other extracurriculars has been found to have pronounced benefits for children’s socialization, self-esteem, and leadership skills. A recent study of homeschool alumni found that those who participated in public school athletics rated their homeschooling experience more highly than did other respondents. Further, researcher Joseph Richard Barno found that college admissions officers weighted extracurriculars more heavily for homeschool graduates than for traditionally-schooled graduates, suggesting that extracurricular participation is especially important for homeschooled students who are college-bound. “Excluding homeschooled children from this important aspect of physical and personal development puts them at a profound disadvantage with respect to their peers,” Coleman said.
House Bill 232 is sponsored by Representative Elijah Haahr, a homeschool alumnus. “Missouri is in the minority of the country as far as not allowing homeschoolers to even try out for the local public school athletic teams,” Haahr noted. Currently, over half of all states provide homeschooled students some form of participation in athletics or other extracurriculars through their local public schools, and that number is growing. Many states also allow homeschooled students to take individual courses at their local public schools. In fact, in 2007, the most recent year for which we have data, 16% of homeschooled students were enrolled in school part time. “Cooperation between homeschoolers and local school districts benefits homeschooled students and creates a positive relationship between schools and families,” said Coleman.
While there are often a variety of community athletic leagues available to younger children, these options tend to narrow as children grow older, forcing parents to choose between homeschooling and athletic participation. “Discriminating against homeschooled children based on the educational choices their parents make for them is detrimental to these children’s development and prevents them from accessing the same opportunities as their peers,” said Coleman. “Children of all educational backgrounds should be able to play together.”
The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is a national organization founded by homeschool alumni and dedicated to raising awareness of the need for homeschooling reform, providing public policy guidance, and advocating for responsible home education practices.