URGING PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL S.00465A AND ASSEMBLY BILL A.00445 THAT
WOULD AMEND THE EDUCATION LAW, IN RELATION TO PROHIBITING SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM
DISALLOWING HOME-SCHOOLED STUDENTS FROM PARTICIPATING IN DISTRICT
INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS
Offered by: Ways & Means Committee
WHEREAS,
participation in athletics has the intrinsic value of increased physical and
mental health, and
WHEREAS, participation in athletics is one of the most effective ways for students in the United States to develop leadership skills, self-discipline, initiative, and dedication, and
WHEREAS, the communication and cooperation skills learned through athletic experience play a key role in the contributions of athletes to the home, school, and community, and
WHEREAS, the additional benefits of athletics participation, including social interaction and teamwork, could be considered more vital for home-schooled students, who often lack the opportunity to otherwise enjoy those benefits due to the nature of their educational environment, and WHEREAS, the current regulations of the New York State Public High School Athletics Association (NYSPHSAA) prohibit participation in high school athletics by home-school athletes, and
WHEREAS, those regulations run counter to the NYSPHSAA’s stated objective to encourage as many students as possible to participate in athletic games, and
WHEREAS, public schools in New York enjoy the benefits of funding through taxation, which enables them to provide expensive athletic programming that home-schooled students are unable to fund independently, and
WHEREAS, the families of home-schooled children contribute to the funding of public school athletics programs at the same rate as other taxpayers, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED:
1. That the Allegany County Board of Legislators hereby calls on the State lawmakers to amend the education law to allow home-schooled students to participate in interscholastic athletics, by enacting Senate Bill S.00465A and Assembly Bill A.00445 into law.
2. That the Clerk of this Board is directed to send a certified copy of this resolution to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo; State Senator Catharine M. Young; Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio; State Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan; State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie; New York State Association of Counties; and InterCounty Association of WNY.
WHEREAS, participation in athletics is one of the most effective ways for students in the United States to develop leadership skills, self-discipline, initiative, and dedication, and
WHEREAS, the communication and cooperation skills learned through athletic experience play a key role in the contributions of athletes to the home, school, and community, and
WHEREAS, the additional benefits of athletics participation, including social interaction and teamwork, could be considered more vital for home-schooled students, who often lack the opportunity to otherwise enjoy those benefits due to the nature of their educational environment, and WHEREAS, the current regulations of the New York State Public High School Athletics Association (NYSPHSAA) prohibit participation in high school athletics by home-school athletes, and
WHEREAS, those regulations run counter to the NYSPHSAA’s stated objective to encourage as many students as possible to participate in athletic games, and
WHEREAS, public schools in New York enjoy the benefits of funding through taxation, which enables them to provide expensive athletic programming that home-schooled students are unable to fund independently, and
WHEREAS, the families of home-schooled children contribute to the funding of public school athletics programs at the same rate as other taxpayers, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED:
1. That the Allegany County Board of Legislators hereby calls on the State lawmakers to amend the education law to allow home-schooled students to participate in interscholastic athletics, by enacting Senate Bill S.00465A and Assembly Bill A.00445 into law.
2. That the Clerk of this Board is directed to send a certified copy of this resolution to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo; State Senator Catharine M. Young; Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio; State Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan; State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie; New York State Association of Counties; and InterCounty Association of WNY.
