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Governor Signs Regola Bill Opening
Extracurricular Activities
to Home School Students
HARRISBURG -- Senator
Bob Regola's (R-39) legislation to open extracurricular activities to home
educated students was signed into law today by Governor Ed Rendell.
Senate Bill 361 is Regola's first bill to clear the
General Assembly. It marks the culmination of a more than 10-year effort to
pass legislation opening extracurricular activities to home schooled students.
"The Legislature and the Governor have worked
together to knock down the barriers that kept so many Pennsylvania students from
participating in activities outside the classroom," Regola said. "This is a
tremendous victory for those students and their families."
The law amends the Public School Code to give home
schooled students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities
such as clubs, music ensembles, sports and theatrical productions.
Regola noted that extracurricular activities are by
definition outside the academic programs and settings of public schools, so it
was not incompatible for home schooled students to participate as well.
"For the 2003-04 school year, there were 24,000
students enrolled in home education programs, but only about half of
Pennsylvania's 501 school districts allowed them to participate in activities,"
Regola said. "This law will open the rest of the districts, which is a great
step forward to having our public schools and home school families work together
and create the best possible educational opportunities for our young people."
 
Regola
Jubelirer
On Nov. 10, Sen. Bob Regola, left, and Sen.
Robert C. Jubelirer, right, join the governor as he signs Regola's legislation to open
extracurricular activities to home educated students.
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