State: Schools Can Allow Homeschooled Students On Sports Teams

School districts around the state are reexamining sports policies in the wake of a decision by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to reverse a long-standing policy that disallowed homeschooled students from participating in school sports programs run out of their home districts. 

On Nov. 9, the NJSIAA amended its bylaws, permitting – but not requiring – boards of education to allow homeschooled students to compete in interscholastic sports, provided the student and school comply with newly adopted guidelines.

The NJSIAA will allow homeschooled students to participate in district athletic programs provided that they meet nine criteria, mostly having to do with a student's academic eligibility to play. The local school board must also approve participation, and the building principal from where the sports program originates must also be notified.

According to a news release from NJSIAA Executive Director Steven J. Timko, students must demonstrate that they are academically qualified to participate. The criteria also bar transfers to a home school program for athletic advantage.

“For example,” Timko said in the release, “a student cannot drop out of school because of an academic or disciplinary issue and then turn around and participate as a homeschooler.”

The release underscores that the decision to let homeschooled students play lies with district elected officials. But if they choose to let students join teams, “NJSIAA rules will not stand in the way.”

Check back with Barnegat Patch for details on how the Barnegat School District plans to address the rule adjustment.