(Virginia) Senate panel kills 'Tebow bill' - homeschoolers NOT allowed on public school sports teams

[SunSeeker]

60. Disagreeing with you is not prejudice. Homeschoolers cost schools money.

I never said "all homeschoolers are 'right wing' nor did I say all public schoolers are 'lefty bookworms.'" Indeed, I was pointing out that public schools have jocks (that tend to drink and have sex, duh) AND lefty bookworms. I was just pointing out how inane some of the motivations for homeschooling are, namely trying to shield your child from these types of kids. Obviously some left of center folks homeschool their kids, and although I may agree with their politics, I totally disagree with their assertion that they are entitled to pick and choose from the benefits my school offers my kid for attending. That does not make me a bigot or prejudiced. Those are ugly words to throw around at a fellow DUer and totally inappropriate under the circumstances.

As others up the thread have noted, schools (at least in California) get their funding based on daily class attendance. It is such a crucial fiscal need for the students to attend class every day that my school asks you to "donate" money to make up for the money lost when your child is absent for extended periods of time. Seriously, in California, when a child is absent for that day, the school loses a chunk of money from its budget. See, for instance: http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/investigations/137627368.html

The homeschoolers in my area, by not attending my area's schools, decrease the money the schools get. So that is why it is unfair for them to then turn around and expect the schools to then provide them with all sorts of benefits, like participation in sports teams. You may be paying taxes, but you are not paying for those benefits if your child is not attending that school. If you want those benefits, attend the school. Otherwise, if you want your homeschoolers to have sports, sign them them up for the myriad private sports opportunities like AYSO and Pop Warner. That was the point I was trying to make about the pool to cherokeeprogressive. Your kid can't come use my kid's school's sports facilities, i.e. soccer team, just like my kid can't come use your kid's school's sports facilities, i.e. a home pool.

There is also the issue of not "earning" your way on the team. As others up the thread have pointed out, homeschoolers do not get grades, at least not in California. My kid needs to bust his butt to maintain a good GPA or he is kicked off the team, no matter how talented he is. That enforces an important policy of putting academics ahead of recreation. That policy would be totally subverted if someone could take their C student, homeschool them, then demand they be allowed to play sports.

Sorry for the long post, but I feel compelled to really spell it out for you homeschoolers so you don't accuse me of not knowing what I am talking about or being a "bigot."