Tebow to the Rescue!

Virginia HB 947, also known as the “Tebow Bill” which would allow home-schooled students access to participate in public extra-curricular activities is a bill that fascinates me. This is a regulatory policy that I believe would be felt not only through the ranks of the K-12 world but also in the world of higher education.  I have worked a private college my entire professional career and have honestly not paid much attention to many bills (pertaining to K-12) as they have been proposed, passed or denied in recent memory. However, this piece of legislation does spark my interest as a bill that could prove highly beneficial to the students that it would serve.  I can definitely see both sides of the argument regarding the pros and cons of this piece of legislation however, for the purpose of this blog I will speak about how it could have implications in my workplace (Recreation/Wellness).  I am a Director of Fitness and Wellness for the University and have taught health and wellness courses for the University for 6 years.  I have known several students that came from homeschooling backgrounds and have discussed with them this exact predicament in which many of them have been subjected to.  The lack of opportunities to participate in sport has hampered many areas of their development, specifically lack of confidence, reduced opportunities for socialization and in some instances complete deconditioning (out of shape and don’t know how to fix it).  As an advocate of health and wellness, not just education but also participation, I do believe I would truly support this bill to provide an opportunity for those students.   I also understand a policy such as this may not feasibly treat all students as equal.  The ability to treat home schooled as well as in school student athletes will be an extremely difficult one, but I don’t believe it would be impossible or at least not worth trying.  I feel the pros simply outweigh the cons on this issue and believe it is a bill that can provide more students with more opportunities that prove beneficial throughout their lives.

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