November 22, 2011

A legislative subcommittee has declined to offer guidance on allowing home-schooled students to participate in public school athletics.

The House of Delegates education subcommittee voted Tuesday to pass by Del. Rob Bell's bill that would let home-schoolers try out for public school sports teams. Bell introduced the measure in the 2011 General Assembly session, but it didn't clear the House education committee.

The special subcommittee was formed to consider several ways schools could allow such access, and held several hearings where they heard from supporters and opponents. But it ultimately didn't recommend potential legislation, and voted 4-1 Tuesday to effectively kill Bell's bill.

The Virginia High School League, along with superintendents, school boards and other groups opposed allowing home-schoolers to join public school teams.