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Senate backs conference report allowing nonpublic, virtual students to participate in activities, gives local boards discretion
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Summary
The Kansas Senate adopted the conference committee report on Senate Bill 114 on March 26, 2025, clarifying that certain virtual and non-accredited private-school students — and students at the Kansas Academy of Math and Science — may participate in KSHSAA activities and giving local school boards discretion over other district events.
The Kansas Senate on March 26, 2025 considered and later adopted the conference committee report on Senate Bill 114, a measure that clarifies and expands which nonpublic and virtual students may participate in district-sponsored activities.
Under the conference agreement described on the floor, students enrolled in virtual school or in a non-accredited private school who meet statutory requirements may participate in activities regulated by the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA). The report also added the Kansas Academy of Math and Science to the list of eligible institutions whose students may participate in those activities.
The conference committee also added an amendment allowing local boards of education to adopt policies governing whether qualifying nonpublic or virtual students may participate in district-sponsored events, ceremonies, programs or other functions not directly related to KSHSAA activities. The bill prevents a student who withdraws from a public school and immediately becomes a homeschool or virtual student from participating as a nonpublic student in that same school or district without observing KSHSAA’s sit-out guidelines.
Senators asked multiple procedural and scope questions during floor debate. Senator Petty of Wyandotte asked the conference presenter to clarify whether the language applied to events beyond those directly related to a KSHSAA activity. Senator Erickson (the conference presenter) explained the difference between participation in KSHSAA-regulated activities and attendance at district-sponsored, non-KSHSAA events, and reiterated that local boards may adopt policies about such participation but are not required to do so.
Debate emphasized local control: several senators noted local boards can choose to allow or deny nonpublic students access to non-KSHSAA events and that the bill does not compel boards to adopt permissive policies.
The conference committee report on Senate Bill 114 was held for final action during debate and then passed on final action later in the day; the clerk's tally recorded 32 votes in favor and 8 opposed.
