Tim Tebow became an overnight sensation during the NFL season as quarterback for the Denver Broncos. Tebow, a homeschooled high school student, gained the exposure to play football at the University of Florida when his local high school allowed him to play on their varsity team.
The “Tebow Law,” which would allow homeschooled students to play on area high school sports teams, generated a lot of interest in Virginia Legislature. It became House Bill 947, which passed through the Virginia House of Delegates but did not gain enough votes in the Virginia Senate. Because the “Tebow Law” continues to be a hot topic, the bill may be reintroduced next year.
On one side of the issue, homeschooling parents pay taxes to fund public institutions. On the other side, homeschooled students are not held to the same educational standards as public school students in Virginia. Public high school athletes must meet 13 eligibility requirements. Under the bill presented by Delegate Rob Bell (R-Albermarle) this year, homeschooled students would only have to meet six of those requirements. Coaches may find it difficult to cut a student athlete who attends Varina and meets all of the requirements both on and off the field from the team to replace him or her with a student who is homeschooled.
When surveyed, 95 out of 100 students at Varina said they are in favor of the new bill; however, many student athletes opposed the new law.
The “Tebow Law” may be the wave of the future for Virginia high school athletes. Varina students should inform themselves about all bills making their way through the legislature, especially those that directly affect the public school experience.
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