By Megan Wehring
Home-schoolers are one step closer to competing in public school extracurriculars.
With a 78-65 vote, the Texas House approved House Bill 547 that would allow home-school students equal access to participating in University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities.
“The passage of HB 547 is a tremendous step forward for the homeschoolers of Texas,” said Tim Lambert, president of the Texas Home School Coalition.
Over 12% of Texas students were homeschooled as of last fall, according to the Census Bureau, which equates to over 750,000 students.
Before heading to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, the bill will need to pass a third third reading in the House and get passed by the Senate. If HB 547 is signed into law, Texas will be the 36th state to allow homeschoolers to participate in public school extracurriculars.
