Tim Tebow Bill Passes Alabama State House, Allows Homeschoolers Access To Public School Sports Programs

Homeschoolers in Alabama may soon have easier access to sports and extracurricular activities thanks to the Tim Tebow Bill. The bill makes it possible for homeschooled students in Alabama to take part in sports and band. The bill was passed in the House and will now make its way to the Senate for approval.

The Tim Tebow Bill was designed to give home school students the same extracurricular activity options as public school students. The bill, fondly referred to as the Tim Tebow Bill, would make it possible for students in Alabama to participate in sports activities such as football and baseball along with band at their local public school. The bill gets its name from the Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, who was homeschooled as a child but played football in a Florida public school. Tebow would lead Neese High School to the state championship. Tebow may never have seen the Super Bowl if Florida had not allowed for homeschoolers to take part in public school sports.

Alabama Tim Tebow Bill supporters note that 28 other states have some form of equal access for homeschoolers and that Alabama should join them. In addition to the 28 states that allow homeschoolers to participate in public school activities, 15 other states are currently proposing legislation to do the same. The bill passed the Alabama House by a vote of 52-43 and will now move on to the Senate.

Some opposing the bill worry that homeschooled children would inundate the sports programs at the public school and cause stress on the system. However, supporters say only a small percentage of homeschoolers actually utilize public school sports programs when offered. In fact, estimates show that just one to five percent of homeschoolers participate in public school extracurricular activities in states that allow equal access.

Texas is also proposing similar legislation that takes the same name. In the Texas Tim Tebow Bill, students that attend home school would be allowed equal access to all Interscholastic League (UIL) activities. This would include essentially all public school extracurriculars such as sports, band, drama, debate and art programs.

What do you think about the Tim Tebow Bill? Should homeschooled students be allowed equal access to public school sports and extracurricular activities? Do you think a similar bill should be passed to include private school students who attend schools without sports options?

[Image Credit: Getty Images/ Jared Wickerham]