Parent and student urge board to change policy barring homeschool athletes from high school sports

Daniel Ackerman and his son Andrew asked the Toms River Board of Education to revisit the district's policy that prevents homeschool athletes from participating in high school sports. Daniel framed his remarks as a request for the board to modify, not entirely overturn, the policy to allow homeschooled students who meet academic and participation standards to play.

Andrew, who said he is a 15-year-old high school freshman taking college classes at Ocean County College, described academic and athletic credentials he said demonstrate readiness for team competition: he reported a 4.0 GPA in college courses, A grades in astronomy and psychology, and qualifying for finals in five events at a recent swim meet. He told the board the policy left him feeling "left out" of the team environment and asked the board to "please change the policy for the good of all children in my position."

Board members acknowledged the request, noting the policy will be examined in the board's policy committee at a future meeting (the superintendent and assistant superintendent will be involved in that review). The board did not change the policy at this meeting; the matter was referred for committee consideration in the new year.