The state of Arkansas permits home-educated children to participate in public school sports activities. In order to ensure that homeschoolers enjoy the same opportunities as their counterparts, there are a few rules and regulations that must be followed.
The aim is to guarantee that homeschool children are treated fairly and that they are given the chance to compete alongside their peers. In this article, we will explain the rules and regulations applicable to homeschooled children who wish to participate in public school sports in the state of Arkansas.
Do Homeschooled Children Have Eligibility To Participate In Public School Sports?
Yes, homeschooled children are accorded full eligibility rights to participate in public school sports in the state of Arkansas. The Arkansas Activities Association is the primary governing body for all high school activity and sports participation in the state. The AAA Rule 8-1 states that homeschooled students must submit a certificate of enrollment from their home school in order to be eligible for participation.
It is also necessary for the student to submit a copy of their cumulative records in order to verify that their grades are meeting the required standards. Furthermore, the students are also required to submit a signed and notarized agreement between the home school and the public school stating that the student is eligible to participate in sporting activities, and that the expectations of behavior and safety have been agreed upon by both institutions.
The AAA also requires that home educated children be residents of the public school district they wish to participate in. This should be clearly stated in the agreement between the public school and the home school.
Are There Any Age and Academic Requirements?
Yes, there are certain age requirements which must be met in order for homeschooled students to participate in any public school sports in the state. In general, there must be a minimum age requirement of 14 years of age for students in grade seven and 8, and a minimum age requirement of 16 years of age for students in grade nine and above.
In addition, a home schooled student must also have at least a 0 grade point average in order to be eligible to participate in public school sports. The student must also have completed the second grade, and cannot be dually enrolled in both a home school and a public school.
Furthermore, all home schooled participants must be enrolled in a home school program in the state for at least a consecutive four-week period. Any unsportsmanlike conduct by a homeschooled student will also result in disqualification from the team and will require the student to submit a written statement from their home school, or in some cases from the Arkansas Activities Association, to demonstrate that they are able to comply with sportsmanship regulations. The Arkansas Activities Association also reserves the right to revoke or deny applications for sports participation to any homeschool student for any other valid reason, such as academic or disciplinary violations.
Are There Transfer Rules To Consider?
Yes, the Arkansas Activities Association has established transfer rules to ensure that homeschooled students and all other transferring students are granted fair treatment when seeking to participate in public school sports. The rules state that, if a homeschooled student transfers to a public school, they must, first and foremost, meet all the requirements and regulations set forth by the Arkansas Activities Association. This includes, but is not limited to, participating in open tryouts, completing the cumulative records and agreements, and living within the boundaries of the public school district.
The transfer rules also state that home schooled students must provide a minimum of two years’ residence within the district before they can be eligible to participate in a sport. This two-year period must be a consecutive two-year period, and not just two years of intermittent residence within the district.
Furthermore, the student must also provide a written agreement from the transferring school along with the student’s transcripts to prove that the student was in good standing at the school. Additionally, the student must also agree to remain in good standing and abide by the rules and regulations of the school district.
Are There Any Limitations or Restrictions on Participation?
Yes, there are several limitations that have been placed on public school sports participation by the Arkansas Activities Association. The restrictions are in place to protect the integrity of the sports competition and to make sure that the homeschooled students are not placed at a disadvantage by the public school system. Firstly, homeschooled students are prohibited from participating in class and district tournaments.
This means that they will not be eligible to compete in activities such as cheerleading and marching band competitions. Secondly, homeschooled students cannot take part in any playoff competition, regardless of the team’s success.
This means that they must forfeit any chance of winning the championship. Thirdly, homeschooled students cannot participate in any activities where there is a large disparity in the age, size and or experience of the athlete. This includes participation in any contact sports such as football or wrestling.
Finally, homeschooled students are also restricted from participating in any off-season activities or practices. This includes activities such as summer leagues, open gyms etc.
Can A Homeschool Student Attend An Away Game?
Yes, a homeschool student is allowed to attend away games for the purpose of spectating. However, they must comply with the regulations of the school, including those relating to student conduct, school policies and guidelines. Furthermore, they must also inform the school that they are homeschooled prior to attending the away game in order to be considered a spectator and not a participant.
Additionally, in order to attend away games, homeschooled students must be accompanied by an adult, who must remain with the student at all times.
Are Homeschooled Student’s Allowed to Play on Public school Sports Teams?
Yes, homeschooled students are allowed to play on public school sports teams. However, they must comply with all of the rules and regulations set forth by the Arkansas Activities Association. This includes, but is not limited to, submitting a certificate of enrollment from the home school, providing written agreements between the home school and the public school district, submitting academic concurrent records, and meeting the age and residence requirements as set forth by the AAA.
Furthermore, homeschooled students must abide by the regulations set forth by the public school district, as well as the AAA’s codes of conduct and safety guidelines.
Do Private School Students Have The Same Participation Rights As Homeschooled Students?
Yes, private school students have the same rights to participate in public school sports as homeschooled students. Private school students must comply with the same rules and regulations as those applicable to homeschooled students.
This includes providing written agreements between the private school and the public school district, submitting academic concurrent records, and meeting the age and residence requirements as set forth by the AAA. However, unlike homeschooled students, private school students are exempt from the two-year residency requirements. This means that a private school student can transfer to a public school and still be eligible to participate in sports activities.
Are Non-Arkansas Residents Eligible To Play Public School Sports?
No, only Arkansas residents are eligible to participate in public school sports activities. This applies to both homeschooled and non-homeschooled students. The residence requirements must be met in order for a student to be eligible to participate in public school sports activities.
Do Homeschooled Students Need the Same Insurance Coverage as Public School Students?
Yes, homeschooled students must have the same kind of insurance policy as public school students. In order to participate in sports activities, the Arkansas Activities Association requires all student athletes to be covered by some form of liability insurance policy.
The student must provide proof of this insurance when submitting their application for participation.
Are There Any Disadvantages To Playing Sports As A Homeschooled Student?
Yes, there are several potential disadvantages when it comes to participating in public school sports as a homeschooled student. Firstly, homeschooled students may face discrimination from other students and may be subject to name-calling and mockery when participating in sports activities.
Additionally, homeschooled students may also find it more difficult to obtain a letter of recommendation from a public school coach when they are applying to college or universities. Furthermore, the competition amongst public school athletes might be more intense than what is experienced by homeschooled athletes.
Are Homeschooled Student’s Required to Wear School Uniforms?
Yes, homeschooled student’s are required to wear the same uniforms as their public school counterparts. This includes appropriate footwear and any other clothing items that are deemed necessary for the activity.
Are Homeschooled Student’s Exempt From Physical Education Requirements?
No, homeschooled students are not exempt from the physical education requirements. All student athletes, including homeschooled students, must complete the physical education hours that are required by the Arkansas Activities Association in order to qualify for eligibility.
Are Homeschooled Student’s Allowed to Participate in Out-of-State Tournaments?
Yes, homeschooled students may participate in out-of-state tournaments. However, before they can compete, they must complete the paperwork which is necessary to prove that they are eligible.
This includes submitting all of the necessary information and documents to the Arkansas Activities Association.
Conclusion
Homeschooled students in the state of Arkansas are afforded the same rights and privileges as their public school counterparts when it comes to participating in public school sports activities. In order to ensure fair treatment and participation in sports activities, there is a set of rules and regulations which must be met by the homeschooled student. This includes academic requirements and proof of residence.
Furthermore, homeschooled students are also required to comply with all of the rules and regulations set forth by the Arkansas Activities Association as well as those of the public school district in which they wish to participate. By understanding and following these rules and regulations, homeschooled students can enjoy a fair and equitable opportunity to participate in public school sports in the state of Arkansas.