LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino on Thursday introduced legislation that would allow students who are homeschooled to participate in extracurricular activities at their local public school.
“This is about fairness and opportunity,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “Michigan parents have the right to have their children educated in the manner that they wish. At the same time, as taxpaying citizens of their local public school, their children should be able to participate in the extracurricular activities through the school that utilizes their taxes. This bill would ensure these extracurricular options are available to all students in our state.”
Michigan currently allows public school districts to ban or restrict the participation of homeschoolers in athletics. Sports are governed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, which currently requires homeschooled students to enroll in a course load that equals at least 66% of a full course load at the public school where they want to compete.
Senate Bill 589 would prohibit the board of a school district or intermediate school district from banning homeschooled students from taking part in extracurricular activities offered by a school operated by the board.
Examples of extracurricular activities covered by Bellino’s bill would include interscholastic athletics, theater or drama productions, band, orchestra or other musical programs, and debate teams.
To be eligible under the bill, participants would be required to reside within the school district or intermediate school district that offers the extracurricular activity.
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