Posted by Howard Richman on November 12 2005 at 06:50:35:
Laws teach. This is something that many people don´t understand. When a law tells people that something is legal, people change their opinion about it. School districts are now changing their opinions about homeschool participation, and not just in extra-curricular activities. Following the law´s lead, they just think that it is fair to give homeschoolers access.
Sharon Spohn interviewed many school disticts for an article that appeared in this morning´s Pottstown Mercury. Here´s a selection:
Gov. Ed Rendell signed a bill into law Thursday that allows homeschooled children to participate in public school activities such as sports teams, drama clubs, marching bands and other activities.HowardThe Pottstown School District doesn’t currently permit homeschoolers to participate in extracurricular activities.
"We have not permitted homeschoolers to participate up to this point. However, as of Jan. 1, it will be a state mandate and we will abide by it," said John Armato, director of community relations for the Pottstown School District.
Armato said policies will have to be developed to address eligibility for the programs.
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) sets minimum eligibility requirements for students to participate in athletic programs.
"Those standards will have to be met or the equivalent of those standards will have to be met," Armato said.
He said the first thing to be done is to determine if there are any homeschoolers who want to participate in extracurricular activities. Over the last 25 years, only a few homeschoolers approached the district wanting to participate.
The new law will have no effect on the Daniel Boone School District that has had a policy allowing homeschoolers to participate in extracurricular activities for the past six years.
"We have a policy in place and they’ve been participating, so it’s not even an issue," said David Robbins, superintendent of the Daniel Boone School District.
He said some homeschoolers have even taken foreign language classes in the district.
"They’re taxpayers and they deserve to participate," Robbins said....