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Regola's Home School Bill Heads to Governor
Legislation Opening
Extracurricular Activities Approved
HARRISBURG -- A
bill introduced by Senator Bob Regola that would open extracurricular activities
to home educated students is headed to the Governor's desk after receiving final
legislative approval today.
The House concurred with
Senate Amendments to Senate Bill 361 and sent the legislation to Governor
Rendell for his consideration.
SB 361 is not only Senator
Regola's first bill to clear the General Assembly, but marks the culmination of
a more than 10-year effort to pass legislation opening extracurricular
activities to home schooled students.
“I am extremely proud of
this bill and I am gratified that the General Assembly worked together to expand
the opportunities that would be available to young people across the
Commonwealth,” said Senator Regola, a freshman legislator in his 10th month in
office. “Now, it is up to the Governor to act and tear down the walls that
barred many students from participating in activities outside the classroom.”
Under Senator Regola's
legislation, the state Public School Code would be amended to give home schooled
students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities such as
clubs, music ensembles, sports and theatrical productions.
“By definition,
extracurricular activities are outside of the academic programs and settings of
our public schools. I don't see how it is incompatible for home schooled
students to participate in these activities,” Senator Regola said.
According to Department of
Education statistics from the 2003-04 School Year, 24,076 students were enrolled
in home education programs. In fact, out of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts
-- only two districts, Austin Area in Potter County and Clairton City in
Allegheny County, reported no home education students in 2003-04.
The Department of Education
report for the 2003-04 school year showed that 237 districts – or 47.3 percent
-- allowed home schooled students to participate in curricular programs and 270
districts -- or 53.9 percent -- allowed them to participate in extracurricular
activities. Overall, five more schools opened their extracurricular activity
programs to home schooled students during the last school year.
“I applaud all of those
districts for opening their doors to home school families and building a
partnership that benefits the community. Unfortunately, there are still 231
school districts that haven't taken that step and those are the ones targeted by
my bill,” Senator Regola said.
“Public schools and home
school families can and should cooperate to provide the best possible
educational opportunities for our young people,” Senator Regola added. “This
includes creating an atmosphere that allows all students to enjoy the social,
recreational and artistic benefits that come from participation in
extracurricular activities.”
 
Regola
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