An education subcommittee has voted 6-3 in favor of a bill that would allow homeschool students access to extracurricular activities at the public school in their area.
“It’s an awesome thing for kids to be involved in sports, especially for homeschool kids,” said Dwight Cauthen, who spoke about his 15-year-old son “whose learning difference is addressed better at home.”
“He’s a great golfer. He wants to play golf but doesn’t want to go to the school. In our situation, that works. From a personal side, this really impacts kids,” Cauthen said. “The coach wants him to play. The kids want him to play, and it’d be a great thing for him and the team.”
Officials estimate that 18,000 students are taught at home in South Carolina. How many would pursue the option is unknown.
Oran Smith of the Palmetto Family Council said 28 states already allow it, including Florida, where it allowed NFL quarterback Tim Tebow to play for a successful high school program. Of about 50,000 children home-schooled in Florida, Smith said 315 participate in athletics at their local schools.
