Athletics change wouldn't apply to students attending church-related umbrella schools 

By KERRI BARTLETT
For Brentwood Home Page
The Williamson County School Board of Education recently decided to postpone discussion about permitting home-school students to participate in WCS athletic programs. According to WCS communications director Carol Birdsong, the board decided there are still too many questions to be answered and research to be done before a well-informed discussion can begin.

Jennifer Cortez, who homeschools one of her three sons, writes a homeschool blog and sees benefits from homeschool students participating in athletics with public schools. From left are: Joshua. 9, fourth grade; Jennifer; Jacob, 5, kindergarten, and Sam, 11, fifth grade.

In the recent letter sent to independent home-school parents, superintendent Dr. Mike Looney said "... we have been unable to substantiate what impact homeschoolers' participation might have on school funding, campus security, equity, fairness, and a host of other issues.”

The research conducted by WCS about the possibility of homeschoolers participating in public school athletic programs led to the county’s discovery that some independent home-school parents are not legally registered as home-school providers, which is required by state law. 

However, the letter only concerned independent home-school parents and not parents who are affiliated with church-related or umbrella schools.

Therefore, the discussion has raised some questions about how home school is defined and about the legalities of home-schooling independently or educating at home through a church-related school.

Clearing up misconceptions: Independent home school vs. church-related schools

According to the state of Tennessee, there are two ways to teach a child at home: (1) by registering with the local school district or (2) by registering with a church-related school or umbrella school.

Independent home school

Parents wishing to teach their child at home independently must register with the Local Education Agency (local school district). Parents who decide on this option are required to meet specific educational requirements, test the child and report attendance to the local education agency. Also, parents are permitted to choose their own curriculum to be taught at home and must possess at least a high school diploma or GED. To review the complete list of requirements, please visit www.tn.gov/education/homeschool/requirements.shtml.

According to a report from WCS, there are currently 75 independent home-school students registered with the system. Marcy Tidwell, director of non-public schools and home schools at the Tennessee Department of Education, said “Only independent home-school students, under the ruling by the TSSAA [Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association], are to be considered in the discussion of allowing home-school students to participate in public school athletics,” which is the population that Dr. Looney addressed in his letter.

Church-related schools or private schools with umbrella programs

Many children attend church-related (private) schools that offer a full curriculum such as Franklin Classical School and Franklin Christian Academy where they attend classes with a student body and participate in extracurricular and sports programs.

Parents who prefer to teach their child at home can register with such church-related or umbrella schools. In this case, the state refers to this occurrence as a “church-related school operating at a home,” instead of “home school.” Such parents are required to abide by the testing, grading and attendance policies designated by their umbrella school. According to the Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-50-801, “These schools must be operated by a denominational, parochial or other bona fide church organization and the organization must be accredited by one of the agencies listed in Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-50-801(a).”

Most church-related schools develop their curriculum and philosophy of education around faith-based doctrine. However, parents who register with such umbrella schools but teach their children at home are not required to use the same curriculum, thus having the freedom to choose their own. In most of these cases, the church-related school serves as the record-keeping body while the parent provides the child’s education at home.

Also, many church-related umbrella schools permit students who are registered with their umbrella to participate in extracurricular and sports activities. However, parents registered with a church-related school must check its individual athletic policy.

Further, church-related schools are required to abide by State Board of Education regulations regarding safety and building maintenance, as well as keeping attendance records. However, regarding curriculum, the Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-50-801 (b) states, “The state board of education and local boards of education are prohibited from regulating the selection of faculty or textbooks or the establishment of a curriculum in church-related schools.”

According to an April 2011 report from the Tennessee Department of Education, about 143 students were enrolled in church-related schools, whereas 432 students were enrolled in the remaining non-public schools in Williamson County (which includes only the schools that reported their numbers). However, church-related schools are not required to submit their numbers regarding those educated at home, so such statistics are unavailable. 

Students educated at home have choices for extracurricular activities

Jennifer Cortez, who educates one of her three sons at home and is a home-school blogger, said she is “in favor of allowing home-school students to participate in public school athletics because it could be enriching for everyone involved.

"It could widen the talent pool for local schools and give athletically gifted home-schooled children a place to compete at a higher level," Cortez said. "Also, it could promote greater understanding between the home school and public school communities.”

Cortez is registered with The Comenius School, an umbrella program with Franklin Classical School.

Amy Eytchison, another long-time home educator who has taught all four of her children at home, is registered through Gateway Christian School. In reference to the discussion about home-school students being permitted to be involved in public school sports, she said, “I understand both sides. However, there are many ways that children who are taught at home can get involved in sports in the community. Home-school parents can come up with pretty creative ways to meet their child’s needs.”

Eytchison’s children have enjoyed being involved in the children’s theater program at Williamson County Parks and Recreation throughout much of their homeschooling years, as well as various football programs.

Also, the YMCA and Williamson County Parks and Recreation provide opportunities for all children as well as children educated at home such as swimming, soccer, tennis, softball, basketball, and guitar lessons to name a few. The Brentwood YMCA even offers P.E. classes during the day for home-school students. Other activities available in the community for students being taught at home include horseback riding lessons, Latin, art lessons, and golf to name a few.