By Journalist Josiah Belyeu (ORU)
In the ever-evolving landscape of education and sports, Senate Bill No. ORU-012, known as the “Inclusive Sports” Act of 2023, presented a promising opportunity for Oklahoma to lead the way in embracing inclusivity in high school sports. Introduced by Senator Wall during the 1st Session of the 55th Legislature, this bill aimed to provide homeschooled students the chance to participate in extracurricular sports through the public school they are zoned for. While the bill garnered significant support and underwent constructive amendments, it ultimately faced a disappointing 8-10 vote against its passage.
The heart of the Inclusive Sports Act lay in its commitment to breaking down barriers for homeschooled students. The bill, aptly named, sought to bridge the gap between traditional public schools and homeschooled students, recognizing their right to engage in the communal spirit of high school sports.
Amendments proposed during the legislative process further refined the bill, transforming it into a more nuanced and effective piece of legislation. One crucial amendment, authored by Senator White and successfully passed, adjusted the effective date from “ninety (90) days after passage and approval” to “at the start of the 2024 academic school year.” This change allowed schools and stakeholders ample time to prepare for the implementation of the policy, ensuring a smoother transition.
Senator Hurlbut’s amendments made significant contributions, streamlining the language and focusing the bill’s scope. Striking the statement specifying that the act covers the participation of homeschooled students and the definition of high school shifted the focus toward inclusivity as a whole, not just for a specific group of students.
Hurlbut’s amendments also strengthened the bill’s language, explicitly stating that “No public school district shall prohibit homeschool students living within the appropriate zone from participating in extracurricular sports.” This revision eliminated any ambiguity, ensuring that homeschooled students would have unequivocal access to high school sports in their respective zones.
The penalties section was not left untouched. Hurlbut’s amendment replaced the vague penalty of “government funding” with the more specific “2% of state-provided funding.” This change not only clarified the consequences for schools violating the policy but also provided a measurable and reasonable penalty.
Additional amendments, such as adding “and activities” after “sports” and extending the age range of eligible homeschooled participants from “students ages fourteen (14) to eighteen (18),” further broadened the inclusivity of the bill.
Despite these well-thought-out amendments and the evident benefits the Inclusive Sports Act could bring to the education and social integration of homeschooled students, it faced a narrow defeat in the Senate. The 8-10 vote against its passage raises questions about the Senate’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing equal opportunities for all students in the realm of high school sports. As other states move toward embracing homeschooling inclusivity in extracurricular activities, Oklahoma’s missed opportunity with this bill leaves a lingering sense of disappointment for those advocating for a more inclusive education system.