The Tebow Bill (hb947) has passed in the House of Delegates and now will head to the Senate. This is a heated debate where as, home schooled students would be allowed to play sports and participate in the arts at local schools. Senator McEachin discusses the bill with me.
The consideration for the Tim Tebow bill derives from the student being home schooled but played football at a local high school in Florida. Tebow when on to college and is now a quarterback for the Denver Broncos.
Senator Donald McEachin, 9 district, General Assembly said those who opposed the “Tebow” bill believe that public school isn’t an ala carte menu but an all or nothing. Those who support the bill said citizens pay taxes and should be able to particpate in the arts while teachers who oppose the bill said it will disrupt the fabric of schools. All or nothing.
The House of Delegates passed the Tim Tebow bill (hb947) by a 14 to 8 margin. The Senate will receive the bill within days.
Here is a summary of the bill as introduced in the House of Delegates: Nonpublic school students; participation in interscholastic programs.
Prohibits public schools from joining an organization governing interscholastic programs that does not deem eligible for participation a student who (i) is receiving home instruction, (ii) has demonstrated evidence of progress for two years, (iii) is entitled to free tuition in a public school, (iv) has not reached the age of 19 by August 1 of the current school year, (v) is an amateur who receives no compensation, but participates solely for the educational, physical, mental, and social benefits of the activity, (vi) complies with all disciplinary rules applicable to all public high school athletes, and (vii) complies with all other rules governing awards, all-star games, parental consents, and physical examinations applicable to all high school athletes. The bill allows such students to be charged reasonable fees for participation.
