Homeschoolers at Public School?

Performing in a school musical or playing basketball at a public school may not be the first thing you think of when you think of homeschooling. Local homeschooling parents reflect on the proposed bill to allow homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular activities at public schools.

Thomas Steger homeschools his children through Daniel 1 Academy.

“As a homeschool parent, I would support the opportunity for a family to choose to do that if they wish. Some homeschool families don’t really have an interest,” Steger said. “But the parents are tax paying citizens and they are choosing to take responsibility for the education part of their family at home.”

An estimate of over 32,000 children receives their schooling at home in Tennessee.

Mark Whittle also homeschools his children with Daniel 1 Academy.

“I can see where maybe in some counties, especially in rural counties,” Whittle said. “It would be helpful for them where they don’t have maybe a homeschool group that would be active.”

The bill may have benefits, but Whittle and Steger said their children would probably not participate in public school activities.

“Our children are already pretty busy with extracurricular activities,” Whittle said. “For example, Daniel 1 has a basketball team and my son plays basketball with them. And my daughter and son are both very active in 4-H.”

As for whether or not the bill could help the homeschool community and the students participating, Steger said, “It certainly could work.”

The bill was introduced in the Tennessee Senate and House earlier in the year.