Vale Middle School Reading Article
‘Tebow’ Bill to Let Home-Schoolers Play High School Sports Passes Va. House (980L)
Instructions: COMPLETE ALL QUESTIONS AND MARGIN NOTES
Questions: Answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES unless otherwise instructed. Lists and charts are the
exception and may be answered in phrases.
Read the following article carefully and make notes in the margin as you read.
Your notes should include:
o Comments that show that you understand the article. (A summary or statement of the main
idea of important sections may serve this purpose.)
o Questions you have that show what you are wondering about as you read.
o Notes that differentiate between fact and opinion.
o Observations about how the writer’s strategies (organization, word choice, perspective,
support) and choices affect the article.
Your margin notes are part of your score for this assessment.
Student _________________________________Class Period______________________
‘Tebow’ bill to let home-schoolers play high school
sports passes Va. House
By Anita Kumar
The House of Delegates voted 59 to 39 Wednesday in favor of a bill that would
allow Virginia’s tens of thousands of home-schooled students to play sports at
their local high schools.
Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (Charles Krupa - AP)
The “Tebow bill” — named for Tim Tebow, the starting Denver Broncos
quarterback who was home-schooled in Florida but was allowed to play football
at his local high school — will now be sent to the Senate.
Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R), has said he will sign the bill. “Home-school
parents pay taxes like everybody else,” he said recently. “It’s just fair.”
Notes on my thoughts,
reactions and questions as I
read:
Vale Middle School Reading Article
‘Tebow’ Bill to Let Home-Schoolers Play High School Sports Passes Va. House (980L)
Opponents, including some school boards and PTAs, say home-schooled kids
are not required to meet the same academic criteria as public school athletes —
attend and pass five classes per day — and that they would take team slots from
their public school counterparts.
“It’s about fairness for all students,’’ said Del. Eileen R. Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax)
as she urged her colleagues to vote against the bill.
The legislation has been introduced in Virginia since 2005 with little success,
but Republican-control of the General Assembly this year has supporters hoping
the proposal is headed for victory. Some Democrats have opposed the measure
because they think it would hurt public schools. Teachers are among the party’s
core constituencies.
Sixteen states permit home-schooled students to play sports at public schools,
according to the Purcellville-based Home School Legal Defense Association.
Nine others leave the decision to localities or do not have laws prohibiting it.
Del. Robert B. Bell (R-Charlottesville), who introduced the bill, said the children
just want a chance to compete, which they do not have now. “It’s not harder for
them. It’s impossible for them.”
There’s no estimate on the number of Virginia children who would benefit from
the law. State officials calculate that nearly 32,000 are home-schooled in
Virginia, but the association thinks there are twice as many.
The bill bans public schools from partnering with the Virginia High School
League — which governs high school activities in the state — because it forbids
home-schoolers from playing sports or being involved in other programs such as
drama, debate and yearbook. It only pertains to high schools, because children in
lower grades are often able to play at their local public schools.
Home-schooled students would have to live in their local school district, try out
for teams, and abide by disciplinary and academic criteria just like public school
students. But school districts could charge reasonable fees or opt out of the
program.
The change would sunset in 2017, and supporters would have to return to the
state to reevaluate the situation after four years.
Kumar, A. Tebow bill to let home-schoolers play high school sports passes Va. house. The
Washington Post. February 8, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
Notes on my thoughts,
reactions and questions as I
read:
Vale Middle School Reading Article
‘Tebow’ Bill to Let Home-Schoolers Play High School Sports Passes Va. House (980L)
1. Why is this new piece of legislation called the “Tebow” Bill? Explain in detail.
2. List three reasons opponents give for not wanting home school students to participate in Virginia high
school sports.
1.
2.
3.
Vale Middle School Reading Article
‘Tebow’ Bill to Let Home-Schoolers Play High School Sports Passes Va. House (980L)
3. Answer each comprehension question.
I. List three other activities, aside from sports, governed by the Virginia Athletic Association.
II. To what particular age group does this legislation pertain?
III. How many home-schoolers are in Virginia according to the estimates of state officials?
IV. How many home-schoolers does the Home School Legal Defennse Association estimate are in
Virginia?
4. What does the author mean when she states, “The change would sunset in 2017…”?