SUMMARY:

Requires local school systems to allow virtual school students in grades 6-12 whether enrolled in public, private, or home schools, to participate in public school extracurricular activities.
Committee substitute version:  LC 33 3696S

• Public school students who reside within the attendance zone of a school but who are not enrolled in such school would be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities at a school in his/her attendance zone with the principal's permission.
• Applies to students in charter schools where extracurricular activities are not offered.
• Students must maintain all attendance, academic, and behavior rules and requirements at the school of attendance.

  REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires local school systems to allow 'virtual' students in grades 6-12 to participate in both competitive and non competitive extracurricular activities.
• A ''virtual school' student is defined as a student in Georgia enrolled in one or more courses in the Georgia Virtual School or in a virtual charter school approved by the State Board of Education.
• Home and private school students shall be allowed participation in public school extracurricular activities in the same manner as any public school student by virtue of his or her residence.
• Home and private school students shall register with the principal of his or her residence school of the intent to participate in extracurricular activities in accordance with rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education.
• Eligibility for participation shall be determined by the student achieving a satisfactory score as defined by the State Board on a standardized, noncurriculum based test.
  • The parent shall make arrangements for the student to take the test and provide the principal of the school of the results.
  • A student that fails such test shall be ineligible to participate in extracurricular activities until he or she is able to pass the test.
• Once entry is gained in the public school extracurricular activity, the 'virtual' student shall comply with the same school/coach requirements for participation and code of conduct as other participating students.
• Students who drop out of a public school during the school year are ineligible to participate as a virtual school student in extracurricular activities for the remainder of the current school year and the following school year.
  • The principal may grant a waiver of this provision in the event of an extraordinary health related issue.
• Public schools shall be prohibited from membership in any organization or entity which regulates or governs interscholastic extracurricular activities that discriminates against virtual students.

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

• Allows home school and or private school students (who are enrolled in a single virtual school course) to participate fully in public school extracurricular activities, both competitive and noncompetitive.
• Is in conflict with current eligibility requirements of the Georgia High School Association.
  • Enrollment in, not passing of, such course or courses is the only academic requirement for participation.
  • Public school students must pass five of six courses in order to meet Georgia High School Association eligibility requirement.
• Applies to grades six through twelve.
• It is uncertain as to what constitutes a 'standardized, noncurriculum based test.'
  • If a new test is to be constructed, cost is a major consideration. 
  • Test security is not addressed.
• It can be difficult to communicate with and discipline students not enrolled in the school where extracurricular activities are sponsored. 
• The term 'drop out' is not defined.
• Increases records-keeping responsibilities of the public schools.
• Public school students may be replaced on school teams, etc. by home and private school students.
• 'Extraordinary health related issue' is not defined.
• The bill attempts to micromanage the Georgia High School Association, a voluntary membership organization whose members define and enforce rules of eligibility, participation, etc. 

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Upon approval of the Governor or by becoming law without such approval.