Home Schoolers playing in HS

[thebest]

I've read all the comments on this subject.....And I still haven't decided how I fall on this. /blink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blink:" border="0" alt="blink.gif" /> On one hand we are talking about children here. But on the other hand, their parents have made a decision not to be part of the public school system, so they have made their bed, let them lie in it.....

 

So I guess if this passes there will not be any home school teams anymore?

 

Also, Don't public schools get federal funding for the amount of students they have enrolled? While everyone pays taxes for public schools, that money is is given back to the school depending on enrollment. So I ask is this fair?

 

Eastnref I'm sorry but I don't see anything about the private schools in the bill summary.

 

 

 

you don't have to play for a school it's a choice.

[woodeng]

Everthing is so political!!!! I don't really understand the taxes thing, but if the parents pay the correct tax then their son / daughter should be allowed to play. We ARE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN (OR YOUNG ADULTS) HERE, WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM? Isnt that what we should be looking at.

 

So playing for the Home Schooled Team or their local team, let them play and let them compete. AAA or Div II or whatever. The majorty will probly gain from the socialising process.

[akula21]

so it seems there are 2 issues. Allowing home schooled athletes to compete on school teams and allowing an entirely home schooled team to compete in the state playoffs.

 

I've never had to deal with a home schooled player coming out for my team so I can't say with certainty how I feel about that. I know there are co op programs when a smaller school can not field a team, those athletes can play for another school. This happens in alot of sports so I don't see any difference from the home schooled player participating at a proper High School.

 

 

Second topic, TSSAA has to sanction MTN Fire in some fashion, since they are allowing teams to play them in the regular season and count them against their schedule. Why not allow them to compete in the playoffs? I highly doubt there is some sinister plot to overtake tennessee soccer by the parents and players. Let them see how they stand up. I mean, all the talk about unfairness or disadvantages to the publics annoys me. Throw them in the pot and see how who the best is.

[RespectallFearnone]

I do not think they should be allowed to play for several reasons. First, at most schools, one of the requirements for being eligible to play for a sports team is being academically eligible. Because the homeschooled kids grades are determined by someone(many times their parents) other than the school, this definitely gives them an unfair advantage. How do you determine if they are academically eligible each grading period? And, as unfair as some may think it is, I disagree with the argument that their parents pay taxes that support public schools so they should be allowed to participate. These same taxes that support public schools also build stadiums and gyms and buildings for the schools, but that doesn't give every taxpayer the right to use these facilities. They are for the schools and their students, just like the teams.

[soccerdevil]

Another thing to consider is the social aspect of your team. It is hard enough to build a team's cohesion when you are dealing with four different grade levels, but at least they have the common theme of what happened at school / teachers / etc.

 

Plus I do believe if you don't feel the public schools are good enough (or the right fit) for your child then you don't get to pick and choose the parts you want. Some kids only come to school for sports. They are motivated by the fact that if they want to play football, soccer, or whatever next season they have to apply them selves and pass x number of classes. Now what happens when Jeremiah comes in from his home school "class" and takes his spot? I know that the kid should just work harder to win that spot back, but it is like cutting to the front of the line.

 

I just don't see how it would be fair.

[MVM]

you don't have to play for a school it's a choice.

 

 

 

Now, This I totally disagree with. For example, if a home school kid is zoned for Bearden and doesn't make the team, then he/she can still play with a home school team. However, if a kid goes to Bearden and doesn't make the team, than that kid doesn't get to play. That my Friend is a double standard.

[77statman]

This is an interesting debate indeed!

 

At this point I'm enjoying reading everyone's thoughts and I'm not leaning in any direction. I think the Middle TN Fire and their parents and coaches have done a great job at organizing the team. So Homeschool teams can succeed independently of public/private schools.

 

Theoretically if there are 35 spots on the JV/Varsity roster and 2 of them are homschooled athletes, that means 2 students that attend the high school are going to be cut in favor of 2 students that don't attend. I think this is going to make a number of parents upset if their student doesn't get a chance to play, while a few homeschooled students make the roster. Interesting.

 

 

Excellent point regarding who gets cut. This will be the same dilemma when a homeschooler gets picked to be the soloist in the school chorus or star in the school play.

 

Also, the argument made by an earlier poster that "I pay my taxes, therefore my kid should get to play" is a bit specious. I can spend my entire life without setting foot in the Nashville Public Library or LP Field, but if I own property and live in Davidson County, I can't reduce my property tax payment because I choose not to frequent the library or the stadium. Taxes, especially education taxes, are raised and spent (at least in theory) for the common good of all of us.

[akula21]

Looks like some very good arguments to some of my points. I respect that and actually has me thinking over this again. Not sure the right answer. I do know there are some standards in place for the academics of home schooled students. I agree with MVM it is a double standard if a kid can leave for another team. I guess my only contention would be if he tried out for Bearden team, and did not make it, that athlete could still transfer to another school and be eligible if they had not played in the previous 365 days. Unless I am mistaken. I know that is highly unlikely.

 

I still don't have a problem with allowing the homeschooled players on normal teams, they do it all the time with small schools that co op for football, basketball, even soccer in rural areas. No one cares I guess, b/c it isn't a high leveled program.

[77statman]

Here's another question for those who advocate letting non-students at public schools participate in school sports. Let's take the case of a student at a private school who tries out for the soccer team at his private school and gets cut. Should he then be able to go try out for the soccer team at the public school in his district? If not, why not? His Mom and Dad pay taxes, don't they? If we are going to let homeschoolers play on public school teams, we can't prohibit a private school student from doing the same thing, can we? Do we really want to go down this road?

[RespectallFearnone]

Sorry, bottomline for me, you can play select for any team you choose to play for and colleges can see you play. If you want the "school ball experience" then you need to go to a school.

[akula21]

Wonder if TSSAA has a rule on that situation? My only point is if the home schooled student does not have access to a team, why not let them play on the high school team. It is already done with Co op. Except that student is attending a different school then they play for.

 

 

Someone told me once berean christian has homeschooled players on their teams, no idea if that is true and I'm not trying to make accusations, I'll leave that to ref.

[easttnref]

Sorry, bottomline for me, you can play select for any team you choose to play for and colleges can see you play. If you want the "school ball experience" then you need to go to a school.

 

 

 

 

perfectly put....just like if you want to compete for championships with the publics go to public school. If not play against the privates in Div. II

 

Wonder if TSSAA has a rule on that situation? My only point is if the home schooled student does not have access to a team, why not let them play on the high school team. It is already done with Co op. Except that student is attending a different school then they play for.

 

 

Someone told me once berean christian has homeschooled players on their teams, no idea if that is true and I'm not trying to make accusations, I'll leave that to ref.

 

 

OH no a cheap shot by the almighty one