Parents have to choose

Published 4:59 pm Tuesday, April 7, 2009

University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow revolutionized college football by becoming the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, and he could soon reform Alabama education if Senate Bill 305 passes.

Senate Bill 305, also known as the Tim Tebow Act, allows for homeschooled students to participate in public school athletics.

We can’t support this measure beause it’s inherently unfair to public school students.

Tim Tebow, who played football at Nease High School in St. Augustine, Fla., while being homeschooled, is a rarity in athletics, and legislation shouldn’t be written based on what he’s accomplished.

Allowing homeschool students into public school athletics would be almost impossible to police, as many coaches and parents could simply abuse the system by encouraging those athletes who fail drug tests, fail academic requirements or cannot adhere to disciplinary codes to leave the public system and just attend homeschool.

While every parent has a right to homeschool their child, they should do so with the knowledge that they forfeit their child’s right to extracurricular activities.

There are plenty of opportunities for students to participate in club sports or traveling teams, especially for homeschool students, and it would be unfair to take the opportunity away from an athlete who actually attends the school.