Extending Extracurricular Activities to Charter Students

Jan 24, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) While state law currently allows charter and on-line students to participate in extracurricular activities at their neighborhood schools, the practice hasn't caught on. A bill moving through the Senate aims to fix that. The bill's sponsor, Senator Mark Madsen, says it's a question of equality.

"Some school districts welcome charter school students, and presumably on-line students. But other school districts do not," Madsen says. "They say if you choose to go to a charter school for academic reasons then you are going to forsee to forgo participation in the extracurricular activities that some of these charter schools don't offer."

Parents of non-traditional students pay the same taxes as their neighbors - money that goes to traditional public schools, but not charter schools. Utah Association of Public Charter Schools executive Director Kim Frank says she sees neighborhood schools more as community centers that should offer their after-school programs to all students living in their district, regardless of whether they are enrolled in the school. The fact that many don't, means some students are forced to choose between going to the school of their choice or playing football, basketball or joining the drama club - which could lead to college scholarships. Frank says that's not fair.

"I appreciate Senator Madsen and his recommendation that kids aught not to have to be able to choose between athletics and their education," Frank says. "And that charter schools should pay for a fair portion so that they can participate in athletics."

The Senate Education committee passed the bill unanimously Thursday. It now heads to the Senate. A similar bill to extend the same privilege to home-schooled children failed to gain the committee's support because of one, crucial point. Home-schooled students are not expected to meet state standards of accountability, behavior or attendance, which all public school students must if they want to participate in extra-curricular activities.

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