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The Virginia High School League Hears HEAV Proposal

On behalf of Virginia homeschoolers who are interested in participation in interscholastic activities, HEAV made a formal presentation to the Virginia High School League. VHSL is the governing body for sports and interscholastic competitions throughout the state. The league is made up of principals from 300 public high schools, athletic directors, and DOE representatives.

On September 18, HEAV submitted a formal proposal to the Virginia High School League policy sub-committee suggesting ways homeschoolers could comply with VHSL rules. Care was taken in the proposal to protect the rights of parents who do not want to participate in public school activities. The presentation was preceded by a number of preliminary meetings with VHSL Executive Director Ken Tilley and other league representatives.

The proposal outlined ways Virginia homeschoolers could comply with the intent and spirit of VHSL Student Eligibility Requirements in order to participate in public school interscholastic activities. The presentation included a review of access laws, legislation, and policy trends from other states. (So far 17 states have passed equal access legislation requiring public schools to allow homeschool students access to classes or sports.)

HEAV Answers Committee's Concerns on Access
Several committee members expressed their concern about large numbers of homeschoolers wanting access to public school teams. HEAV answered the question by presenting statistics from states where access is allowed. In these states, typically 3%-5% of the eligible homeschool population participates in interscholastic activities. For Virginia that would mean only 145 to 241 homeschoolers would be interested in sports or interscholastic programs in the 300 or so public high schools -- on average less than one student per school. After addressing this concern, the committee members asked questions regarding liability and cost issues.

On the following morning during the annual meeting of the full executive committee, HEAV presented the proposal to several Department of Education representatives and approximately 50 superintendents, athletic directors, and principals from throughout the state. Discussion was not allowed. Later in the afternoon during a private session, the committee tabled the discussion to allow membership input. A report summarizing membership comments will be presented at the December 3 meeting.

Not Much Support Expected
In a follow-up call to the VHSL executive director, he stated, "I do not expect much support for homeschooler participation in public school sports." He indicated the general consensus of the committee remained the same: If homeschoolers decide not to be part of the public system, they should not be allowed to participate in sports programs.

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