Texas House Bill 547 gives school districts the option to allow homeschooled students residing within district boundaries to participate in UIL activities as a member of the district's teams/activities/events.

In order to be considered for participation at the varsity level (high school sports only), homeschool students must complete the registration process before August 1st of the school year in which they wish to participate.

Blue Ridge ISD will allow homeschool students to participate in UIL activities, provided they meet all of the guidelines outlined in the BRISD Homeschool Participation Handbook.

A brief overview of the homeschool participation guidelines are outlined below, but families should be familiar with all of the requirements included in the handbook.

Residency Requirement:

• The student must reside within the boundaries of Blue Ridge ISD while participating in a Blue Ridge ISD activity.

• The parent(s)/student must provide proof of residency in the district.

Academic Eligibility:

• The parent(s) must provide proof of an accredited curriculum of study. The district will not take action on the curriculum but will only verify that the student is enrolled in and studying a curriculum.

• A homeschool student seeking varsity participation during the first six weeks of enrollment must demonstrate grade-level academic proficiency on a norm-referenced assessment, such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), the Stanford Achievement Test, or another norm-referenced test approved by the district before the test is administered. The school district shall accept assessment results administered or reported by the third party. The parents are responsible for any test-related costs.

• After the first six weeks of attendance, the parent(s) or person standing in parental relation to a homeschooled student participating in an UIL activity must, in accordance with the school’s grading calendar, provide written verification to the school indicating that the student is receiving a passing grade in each course or subject being taught.

Participation Requirements:

• The student must abide by the state and school district’s immunization policy.

• The student must be enrolled in and attend the class that corresponds to the extra-curricular activity. The student must notify the school each day by 8:00 a.m. if the student is going to miss the required class period.

• Upon enrollment, the student must attend the corresponding class for the remainder of the school year in order to participate during that year and the following school year, including all in-season and off-season practices, workouts, and/or meetings.

• The student must follow the handbook guidelines for which the student is participating, including transportation to contests or activities.

• All homeschool students will be treated as and held to the same standard as all other students participating in the activity, including, but not limited to, team and school rules, standards of behavior, eligibility requirements, immunization requirements, and drug testing.

Restrictions:

• A student who was enrolled in Blue Ridge ISD and then withdraws to homeschool is not permitted to participate in any activity as a homeschool student during the remainder of the school year in which they withdrew.

• Homeschool students may not participate in activities below the 7th grade.

• The student may not be enrolled or participate in a non-school related athletic class or training program during normal school hours.

• The student may not participate with a non-school-related team during the season of the school-related team of the same sport.

Documentation Requirements:

• Birth certificate

• Vaccination records

• Proof of residency

• Physical form

• Signed acknowledgment from Homeschool Participation Handbook

• Homeschool curriculum information, transcripts, grades, class schedule

• Standardized test scores verifying grade-level placement (as required)

• Other documentation as requested