The Tim Tebow Bill

Texas is frequently viewed as one the best states to be a homeschooler in.  Texas is full of proud, independent libertarian minded individuals, so it's no surprise that it is supportive of families who take their child's education into their own hands and out of the government's.

As for our household, we have two very different children with very different strengths and needs.  My youngest is thriving in the public school system and will more than likely continue to stay in it.  My oldest, however, is a highly creative child with ADHD and the system was failing her.  We saw her starting to lose confidence and pulled her out of public school before she lost her innate love of learning.  We know that removing her from the public school and providing her with curriculum to suite her individual needs was ABSOLUTELY the right decision.  However, we have lost access to one important asset in the public school as a result.

My oldest daughter is very musically gifted (especially with singing) and she will soon be approaching the age when our school system starts offering amazing programs like choir and orchestra that she would excel in and that would strengthen her natural gifts.  I thought surely, as a homeschooling family in Texas, we will be allowed to participate in these programs at the public school.  However, when I went to the district office this week to inquire as to how to enroll my daughter in public school extracurriculars as a homeschooler, I was informed that that is not allowed.  The only way for her to take advantage of public school extracurriculars is to be enrolled in public school.  I was shocked!  I mean, my property taxes and state taxes pay for these programs, why can't we utilize them?  Why do I have to choose between my child succeeding academically or benefiting from enrichment opportunities?  The school system was failing her, not the other way around...

This brings me to the point of this post.  I'd like to ask you all to please sign the Tim Tebow Bill Petition.  Many states have already passed this bill allowing homeschoolers to participate in extracurricular activities through the University Interscholastic League (UIL) at their local public school, but Texas is not one of them.  I am hopeful that this bill will finally be passed and that my daughter (and all the other homeschoolers in similar situations) would have access to the programs we pay for and our children deserve.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for your support!

Amy

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