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House clears bill allowing certain nontraditional students to participate in school activities, tightens transfer rules
Summary
SB 114 would allow virtual, homeschool and Kansas Academy of Math and Science students to participate in extracurricular activities; it also tightens eligibility for students who withdraw from brick-and-mortar schools and claim homeschooling to avoid disciplinary or academic ineligibility.
The House on March 17 reported Senate Bill 114 favorably after Committee of the Whole consideration. Sponsors said the bill clarifies and expands eligibility for extracurricular activities to include virtual and homeschool students, and explicitly permits students enrolled in the Kansas Academy of Math and Science (referred to on the floor as CAMS) to participate in end-of-season activities.
Representative Estes, carrying the bill, said one aim was to make clear that students in virtual or homeschool programs who participate in activities should be permitted to take part in events such as letter ceremonies. The Senate added language during its consideration to include CAMS, a boarding program located on the Fort Hays campus; the House sponsor said those students have a home district but that practical obstacles had left participation unclear.
The committee also adopted an amendment to close a perceived loophole: if a student withdraws from a brick-and-mortar school in poor academic or disciplinary standing and then declares homeschooling, that student would have to sit out a nine-week period before participating in activities unless the sending school releases the student. Sponsors said the nine-week period mirrors applicable transfer rules and was drawn from activity association regulations.
Supporters described the bill as a measure to keep Kansas students engaged in extracurriculars; opponents on the floor argued local school boards and the Kansas State High School Activities Association should handle such matters. The Committee of the Whole adopted the report and the House voted to report SB 114 favorably for passage.
