HB0480/SB1345

Update: This bill was never heard and died quietly when the TSSAA board unanimously voted against allowing homeschoolers to participate in extracurricular activities they control. You will find more detailed information, until I have time to update this page, in the old messages of the Legislative e-list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tnhmsch-legislation. 

Spring of 2001: These bills aren't expected to be heard until next year (January 22, 2002 and after) after the TSSAA and others have attempted to work out some guidelines for including homeschoolers.

• Here's the opinion of Kay Brooks, owner of TnHomeEd.com.
• Just below is the Summary provided by the State Legislature
• Further below is the text of the legislation.

2/22/01 Summary

A bill to allow homeschool students to participate in extracurricular (public) school activities has been introduced.

"HB0480 by Harwell. (SB1345 by McNally.)

Schools, Home - Permits home-school student to participate, to greatest extent practicable, in extracurricular school activities of public school where student would attend if not being home schooled; requires student to meet certain criteria; requires TSSAA to promulgate rule for athletic participation. -Amends TCA Section 49-6-3050. [ 49-6-3050 is the homeschool statute for Tennessee]

Fiscal Summary for HB0480

Not Available (2/21/01)

Bill Summary for HB0480/SB1345

Under this bill, home school students would be guaranteed permission to participate in all extracurricular school activities sponsored or conducted by their local school district, to the greatest extent practicable. This would include athletics, music, drama, art and speech. In order to participate, the following conditions would have to be satisfied: (A) The home school student would have to meet all school district eligibility requirements, with the exception of any school or class attendance requirements; (B) The home school student would need to reside within the attendance boundaries of the school where the student would participate; (C) The home school parent-teacher would have to certify that the student is making academic progress in a manner consistent with academic eligibility standards for students in the public schools; and (D) If requested by the principal where the home school student would participate, the parent-teacher would need to supply evidence of academic achievement testing or other evidence of academic progress that is acceptable to the principal in order to maintain academic eligibility; The home school student would fulfill the same responsibilities and standards of behavior and performance, including related practice requirements, of other students participating in extracurricular activities. The home school student would also comply with all requirements of the public school itself during the time the home school student participates. This bill would direct the Tennessee secondary school athletic association (TSSAA) to promulgate a rule to effectuate the provisions of this bill with respect to such participation by home school students in athletic programs."