Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on April 6, 2009 at 11:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Stephen,

I'm going to say this with as much compassion and candor as I can. Giving any credence to the "Tebow exception" makes you as big a fool as the coaches who would keep another Tebow off their teams.

You people have been spouting this "Tebow is Superman" crap for so long that you're starting to sound like comic book collectors. What is this... Highlander? "There can be only one." Give me a break.

"One local football coach"? What, was he speaking on the grounds of anonymity? Is he afraid a militant homeschooler is going to throw a Bible at him?

I've never met a high school football coach who couldn't break down a student in mere moments if he needed to. The idea that you can't control a homeschool student just because he's not in Mrs. Smith's English class is horse****. If anything, the myth that homeschool kids aren't as "socialized" should make it easy for the Unknown Coach to grind them up like cornmeal in record time.

If 24 other states have some form of equal access laws for homeschoolers, and those 24 states all have BETTER education systems than Alabama (and they'd just about have to, since Mississippi's lawmakers are apparently as backward as our Senate Education Commmittee), then how can Alabamians say it's a mistake to pass this bill?

Follow the money. Who's against it, and how much have they spent lobbying against it?

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on April 6, 2009 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way: for a dose of objective journalism on the subject, see what Ian Rappaport had to say about it last year. No Tebow exceptions, and no Superman.

http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/ris...

Posted by ben105 (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

While living in another state, our family saw first-hand what contributions homeschoolers can make to sports. Just because a family chooses a different form of education for their children doesn't mean that those children are any less athletic that those who attend public school. My husband worked as both a football coach and a basketball coach in that state. Several of his students were homeschoolers and were also remarkable students and athletes. These students develop good study skills, good work habits, and learn most of what they know from independent studying. They are awesome to coach because they are quick learners, hard workers, and have respectful bahavior. They also can set their own schedules, so attending a fourth block workout would not be a problem for any serious homeschooler. Be open-minded. Don't look for the negatives. You can find enough negatives by looking at the students who attend your schools. Give homeschoolers a chance to succeed in a school setting. You will not be disappointed!

Posted by 2byz (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 7:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It is somewhat a right of passage to play a school sport. Not that anyone should be kept away from anything they would like to participate in, but then would any girl be allowed to participate in the Homecoming Queen court, or Miss --------- (fill in your school). Probally not.

Posted by kennesaw (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If kids that are home schooled are allowed to play sports, then would they be allowed to try out for cheerleader as well? Or would they be allowed to enter beauty contests? I think that this bill is opening up a can of worms.

Posted by chilly1104 (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If our schools aren't good enough for them, then they don't need to play on our teams, cheer for our teams, or participate in any other activities associated with our schools.

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, they would be allowed to cheer. As for the beauty contests (I thought those competitions were supposed to be about talent, poise and community service, not beauty), I would imagine they could try, but since they're really popularity contests, the end results would be the same.

Speaking of which, does anybody else remember the year the homeschooler from down around Mountain Creek won one of the higher prizes in the Miss Peach competition? The momma hens were outside clucking their heads off that she didn't deserve to win anything, and that wasn't even a school-sponsored event.

Posted by kennesaw (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was talking about beauty pageants that are specific to a school, not county. No, they wouldn't be allowed to cheer and they shouldn't be. If I remember correctly, they have to maintain a certain grade average and be present at school to attend. Oh yeah, home school children are at school - at home.

Posted by proudmom2 (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This bill is just asking for trouble. Public/ Private/ Homeschool is like a package deal for me. You can't just pick out the parts you want out of them all and discard the rest. You pick what is the best for your child and deal with the decision you made. I strongly oppose this bill. I agree with some of the others about my child not being allowed on the field if they check in late and allowing someone that has a "flexible" schedule just being allowed to show up at practice/ gametime and all being ok. These students are representing the schools they are playing for and attending. They are held accountable for their actions at school as well and someone that does not attend will not suffer the same consequences. No deal!!! We have to set an example for our kids and show them that maybe life isn't fair all the time and that some decisions you make will affect more than that one thing!!!

Posted by Jsmith96 (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well stated proudmom2

Posted by kennedyfamily (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some of the comments show the ignorance of people about homeschooling families. These kids do not just lie around all day and do work when they want. Most homeschool families have strict schedules to do school work and work in their communities. I think it is a great bill. Yes, there will be some kinks that will need to be worked out, but how a child is educated should not stop them from playing sports. If a homeschooling family can provide grades and attendance record for their child what is the big deal?

Posted by steve42 (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

C'mon now. You know the real truth is that you homeschool parents let your kids sleep in until 11 AM, then you read them a book, let them watch some videos while you eat bonbons and then you give them an open book test before you let them color a picture for art class. You get together with the other homeschool moms and take the kids on a field trip to the movie theater, and then you give them all an A because they showed up.

The amazing thing is that you let them run wild for 12 years and then they make a 29 on the ACT and get a full scholarship in spite of their slothfulness.

What the public school parents refuse to understand is that homeschool kids can accomplish in 4 hours what it takes all day to do in public school because of all the interruptions and wasted time during the day. If you don't call roll, change classes six times, break up a fight, go to assembly and explain the same thing six times to students who aren't paying attention, you can get things done more quickly.

Even private school teachers say that most of the the afternoon sessions are really just for doing schoolwork because they can get the full day's teaching done in 4 or 5 hours. They keep the kids all day because it's the law and parents need them to anyway.

Posted by Rocketman (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"But the average home-schooler who wants to participate in a sport at a public school wouldn’t be allowed to compete on an even playing field." - The definition of discrimination...

Posted by Rocketman (anonymous) on April 7, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Besides, aren't the local schools located where they are in order to serve the communities that they are in or are they owned by an entrenched bureaucracy in Montgomery? Aren't those home-schoolers part of the community? Just because a family decides to pick which pieces they want of "government services" then why does it have to be an all or nothing prospect? Makes no sense to me. If Florida and over 1/2 the other states can make it work then why can't Alabama?

Posted by proudmom2 (anonymous) on April 8, 2009 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You know...if we "public school" people are so ignorant then we probably pass that on to our children and what would be good about subjecting your high educated, no time wasting home schooled children to us just to play on a field. Why don't you go somewhere and get up your own league and then we'll talk. The schools are here to serve the community but the sports are for the students. These students represent the schools they play for and so if you are not a student then too bad!!! Community sports is what park ball is all about! And as far as the time wasting statement...these kids are subjected to more than seeing mom giving you a worksheet at the kitchen table while still in your pj's. They have to learn to adapt to a real world that is not perfect so maybe, just mabe that may be to their benifit!!!

Posted by kennesaw (anonymous) on April 8, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said proudmom2!!!

Posted by bamadaise (anonymous) on April 8, 2009 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Homeschool parents are paying tax dollars for their local public schools just like you are. If my money goes to my local school, what is the big deal with my kids playing a sport there? Saying "mom gives you a worksheet in her pj's" is a slap in the face to a hard working homeschool parent. I would welcome the chance to test my kids, show their abilities in the classroom and out, and show their standard of behavior.

Posted by SJ (anonymous) on April 8, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Typical Aabama! We will be last once again. Why don't we try to be last at everything. We seem to be first at that.

Even Mississippi is sponsoring a similar bill. And they have a lottery. Imagine what that would have done for our states eduction.

Most public school principles, coaches and teachers are a on a power struggle anyway. Egos to deal with. Sounds to me some people feel threatened. And maybe some of these people posting comments DIDN'T make the team or sat the bench.

You really need to know what you are talking about before you post such ignorant comments. Have you even read the bill that is being introduced? Probably NOT! These are children we are talking about. Children of our state.

Most homeschool children I have come into contact with are intellegent, well mannered children. Maybe they could teach some of the public school kids how to act.

Oh, And I wonder if any of these same people will be on the front row of their church on Sunday?

Posted by familyma (anonymous) on April 8, 2009 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am going to type one of the biggest ironies in all of this legislative process. At the hearing, on April 1st, there were 2 other bills up for vote. The first bill was asking the government to mandate that ALL schools in Alabama have drills specifically to show students how to respond when a gunman enters their classroom or bus. The second bill was a request that all 'guards??' be required to carry firearms in our schools.

My children were able to hear the dichotomy of the board of education versus homeschoolers. We can focus on education, we don't have to worry about terrorists entering our homes and I can assure you I don't instruct my children on how to deal with terrorists. I do instruct them on tornado and fire drills...and I will never be roaming my house armed with a gun.

For proudmom2...no, the sports are not there just for the students, they are there for ALL CHILDREN as the AEA states is their motto. No one in my experience has ever called public school parents/children ignorant. I went to public schools as did my parents, many of my nieces/nephews/relatives attend public school. But, I will add you are misinformed. We live on a farm, my three children rise at 6:30am, they have 30 minutes of chores, breakfast at 7am..complete chores or 30 minutes to check email/organize their work for the day. My three then go immediately to their German lesson (Rosetta Stone)/piano/math...we also cover Latin, History, Science, Writing, Speech & Debate, Grammar, among about 4 other subjects. We work diligently through until about 1pm..in the afternoon. Each day of the week we have afternoon activities, Mondays we have riding lessons and scouting (I am the leader for a troop of girls in AHG), then my son has boy scouts, Tuesdays we have our Speech & Debate club meeting, Wednesdays we have piano lessons and writing club, Thursdays we have German/Latin class and daughter has gymnastics, Fridays are our days to make sure we've caught up on anything missed due to our busy schedule. The weekends are either spent camping with our troops/training our horses/doing service projects/trying to get things done around the house. Our family has devoted a great deal of our time and even changed our lifestyle so that we can start a horse ministry for Foster Children. After our horses are trained, we are offering FREE summer camps for foster children in our county. Homeschooling gives us the ability to organize our skills/talents/time to give back. We have several families whose children will help with this program. We wanted a place where foster children could depend on a yearly fun camp to return to. Give those families who are sponsoring them a gift. We have sacrificed a lot to make this happen.

Posted by familyma (anonymous) on April 8, 2009 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have tried to start a football team, my other two children have chosen sports that I CAN find outlets for them (gymnastics and horsing)..but I could not predict that my son would love football. In Alabama, just a few years back we could create a team and play local private schools, but two years ago the AHSAA brought all the private schools under their jurisdiction. Other states sports programs allow homeschool teams to play public/private schools..but not AHSAA. They said the only way they would let homeschool teams play them is if the state forced them to. So, can you see a little more clearly the life of a homeschooler? I do pay plenty of taxes in Alabama (I have two properties because we've had two house payments for 2 years, the housing market dropped when we bought the farm to work on the ministry), my husband is working two jobs to cover our expenses and is paying state income tax on both, we pay taxes on our car tags and food.

We realized that it was best for our family to homeschool and build upon the values and character skills we thought would serve them well in their lives. We do not stay in our pajamas and we actually school year round. During summer, we knock out 3-4 subjects instead of the standard 7-8 each day. Our kids are socialized, they are highly active in their community, and we have done all we can to make sure we are productive and seek ways to serve others. Our children participate in the Science Olympiad, the B.E.S.T. Robotics competition, Spelling Bees, Geograpy Bees, act as volunteers during Constitution Village "Early America" week that services public school field trips a week in April, and so much more.

I get frustrated when we are told our academic standards are not as high as public school then when we share our scores/schedule we are told we're being superior. Or that our children are undersocialized and when we share what our children are involved in they claim we're too spread out. We do what we can, we strive for the best and we refuse to be idle. In the state of Alabama, we can not play ball.

Posted by Jsmith96 (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would like to see some feedback from other states that have passed this bill. How do the homeschoolers and public students interact once they meet at the playing field? How well will they work together as a team? The public students will be attending class together and spending a lot of time at school together, the home schooled student will only appear later in the day on the practice field. It will be merging two 'schools' to form one team. How well can that really work for teamwork? Someone will always be an 'outsider'. It doesnt seem fair to either student.

Posted by THORSBYishome (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can see some good points that proudmom brought out but I also see the other points the other parents have brought out.

I think the best solution if possible would be to allow the homeschooling children to form a league of their own and play the public and private schools within the county. This would make both parties happy and give more competition to the local teams while allowing these kids to be kids and play sports.