The number of homeschooled students has gradually been rising. According to a study in 2014 by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education, approximately 1.7 million students were homeschooled and that number is over double the amount of students in 1999. This leads to more students who want the opportunity to play a sport for their local public high school.

According to a study conducted by the NCES in 2011, 26% of parents home school their children because they have a concern for the school environment. However, this doesn’t mean that they parents don’t want their students join and compete in sports. I believe homeschooled children should be allowed to compete in school sports.

Many people believe that homeschooled students should stay out of public high school sports because they aren’t walking the same halls as public school students. That statement shouldn’t matter though because the parents of homeschool families still pay the same taxes that go towards the programs placed in public schools. Also, the homeschoolers still live in the same place as the public school students and even though they may not walk the same halls they still live and play in the same community. Allowing homeschoolers to play in public school sports would only further the bond in a community and give all students the same benefits that the payed for.

Public school families also claim that because the homeschooled kids don’t participate in a full school day provided by the government they shouldn’t be allowed to participate in any other programs such as sports. This however is unfair for the homeschooled students because if they want they should be given an equal opportunity to further develop their talent. The methods by which they receive their education shouldn’t limit the opportunity they have to play sports.

In Virginia, homeschooled children are not allowed to compete in public high school sports or other programs. It interferes with the high school league and school policies. There are a few sports leagues such as HSPN, but they are either religious or not very well funded and organized. I think that with some work, the policies can be revised because joining a public high school sport will only benefit a growing student.

In the end, stopping homeschoolers from competing in public high school sports will only create a negative feeling. The homeschoolers won’t be able to compete with friends that they have grown up playing with them. A lot of people don’t realize the social aspect of sports and the benefits it can give to someone’s character and self-esteem. A homeschooled student would feel left out and just be cooped up inside their home with nothing to do to express themselves and explore their talents.