Home School Students Participating on Public School Teams

While most of the time I agree with John Kelly's Washington Post column, today I have to disagree with with it.

Virginia home-schoolers can’t have their cake and eat it, too

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-home-schoolers-cant-have-their-cake-and-eat-it-too/2012/02/06/gIQAv9QAuQ_story.html

There are many reasons why a student is not in public school, some for religious reasons or other reasons stated in Mr. Kelly's column, but most of the reasons I have seen are that the current public schools are too big for most children or can not meet their educational needs.  Many of these children need to have a more structured environment and less sensory overload.  The sheer number of times that a student needs to move throughout a day is mind blowing, and some children and teens just can't handle that.  Some can't handle a class of 25-30 students with 1 teacher.  Some can't handle the behavior issues from other students that are present in almost every classroom.  Some just can't handle a school with 700-2000 students in it.

So why can't that child, who happens to be home schooled, participate in sports at their public school?  Their parents pay taxes towards that school, the books and materials, the athletic equipment and the teachers, coaches and staff salary, just like everyone else in the neighborhood.  Are we going to say that just because I choose a job and to work from home, I shouldn't drive on the streets into DC or Old Town?  I pay for those streets.

Some folks say that there are other sports opportunities for the students that are home schooled.  There are recreation leagues or city leagues.  I beg to differ - not all sports have leagues outside of public schools - golf, crew and track for example.   Where else could these athletes compete?

I think that unless and until the City or public school system is going to refund the taxes paid by the parents (cost of educating 1 student for a yr), of a home schooled student, that student should be guaranteed the right to try out and participate with their peers on a high school athletic team.

So, Mr. Kelly, they are not having their cake and eating it to.