Ohio public school athletes could get same benefts as nonpublic school players

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) – Ohio public school students could soon receive the same athletic benefits as homeschool and private school students.

Legislation in the state House of Representatives would give students the chance to be on a sports team in another district if a sport isn’t offered in their home district.

Currently, Ohio High School Athletic Association regulations allow homeschooled or nonpublic school students to get the opportunity, as long as the participating school superintendent approves.

Rep. Angie King, R-Celina, believes the Student Athletic Mobility Act opens the door to athletic participation for all students.

“Participation in school athletics teaches students invaluable lessons in teamwork and discipline, while also opening doors to future scholarship and educational opportunities,” King said in a statement. “The SAM Act ensures that every student, regardless of their school’s size or resources, has the chance to develop these skills and reach their full potential both on and off the field.”

The legislation is waiting on a committee assignment, and state lawmakers are not expected to return to work until after the new year.

TCS was unsuccessful via email getting comment from the association on the legislation.

Association regulations allow a student who attends a charter school, either traditional brick-and-mortar or online, to participate in athletics in the public school districts where the parents live. But the governing body does not allow conventional public school students from districts that do not offer a particular sport to compete for another school.

On its website, the association says state law is written to not give public school students the same option as nonpublic school students.