Missouri governor signs law opening public-school sports to homeschool students

Missouri homeschool students now have the legal right to play sports at public schools.

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed eight education-related measures July 9, including the Republican-sponsored SB 63.

SB 63 codifies the right of homeschool students to participate in public-school cocurricular activities such as athletics or fine arts.

Students must still live within the bounds of the school district and may be required to pay any fees other students would pay.

However, districts can’t require students to attend a public-school class to join the cocurricular activity.

Missouri Sen. Ben Brown, R-Washington, who sponsored SB 63, explained why it’s important for homeschool families to have access to the activities their tax dollars fund. 

“It’s not right that a child be denied the additional enrichment and life skills that participating in youth athletics provides, simply because their parents wish to take it upon themselves to ensure the quality of their children’s education,” Brown said.

“[SB 63] provides that school districts will no longer prohibit a home school, full-time virtual school student, or other nontraditional educational student from participating in the athletic and extracurricular programs that are funded by their parents’ tax dollars.”

At the bill signing, Kehoe praised lawmakers for prioritizing a variety of education reforms.

“From implementing distraction-free classrooms to expanding school safety efforts, the legislation signed into law this afternoon impacts both K-12 students and Missourians pursuing higher and career technical education,” the governor said. “We are proud to join the General Assembly in supporting these wins for Missouri schools, students, and teachers.”

SB 63 is especially important for Missouri’s 60,000 homeschoolers, as many states still allow public schools to limit access to their sports teams.

Homeschoolers are a rising force, having doubled in size over the past five years.

Recent reports found about 6% of the nation’s K-12 students are homeschooled, not far behind charter (7%) and private schools (9%).

Featured image: MOSenateGOP (X)