The number of home-schooled children is on the rise as it gains wider acceptance by educational institutions and the Federal government. The clamor from parents who see this as a good opportunity is increasing, as they believe that their children must be given the chance to experience such activities to provide them a well-rounded perspective of school life and academic instruction. Therefore, home-schooled children should be allowed to participate in public school activities.
The public events and school functions provide an opportunity for age appropriate interaction home-schooled children might not get otherwise. Although it is the parents' choice whether to home-school their children or not, it is just natural for them to want their children to experience what regular students experience in schools, such as sports and music education, as these will help their children become well-rounded individuals (NAfME). In addition, allowing these children access to public school activities will also provide the same scholarship privileges that they may be entitled in the future. This will also pave the way for the children to interact with kids their own age and develop meaningful relationships.
Every family in the town pays taxes to the public school, whether they have a child there or not. They claim that their tax dollars help pay for instructional materials used in public schools, faculty, facilities, and some extracurricular activities of students in public schools. Thus, parents of home-schooled children see this as another point of argument for insisting that their children be allowed the same activities as the children enrolled in public schools have (NAfME).
While education is still mostly controlled at the local district level, the Federal government has acceded that some States may have their own rules and guidelines when it comes to the treatment of home-schooled children (Klicka). With this in mind, the issue whether these children should have the opportunity to join activities of regular students enrolled in public schools is here to stay.
Works Cited
Klicka, Chris. "Can Homeschoolers Participate in Public School Programs." Homeschool World. N.d. Web.28 June 2013. <http://www.home-school.com/Articles/can-homeschoolers-participate-in-public-school-programs.php>.
National Association for Music Education [NAfME]. "Homeschooled Students' Participation in Public School Music Education." National Association for Music Education. N.d. Web. 28 June 2013. <https://musiced.nafme.org/about/position-statements/homeschooled-students-participation-in-public-school-music-education/>.
