Letter to El Paso area school districts regarding HB 547
July 29, 2021
To whom it may concern:
We are writing on behalf of homeschoolers throughout Region 22 of the University Interscholastic League. It is our understanding that the districts in the region have met without a public forum and made the decision to opt out of HB 547 and its provisions for homeschool students’ involvement in UIL activities for the 2021-2022 school year. We would like to ask the school districts to reconsider this decision, and we welcome any opportunity to discuss how homeschoolers can participate in Region 22 UIL activities.
Without a public forum, the children impacted by this decision had no opportunity to be represented and informed of why school districts are choosing to omit this opportunity for them. Several public forums were held throughout the 2020-2021 school year where parents were asked for input on multiple decisions ranging from pandemic protocol to school re-openings. The opportunities presented by UIL for students whose families choose to follow the provisions laid out in HB 547 are substantial. The El Paso Homeschool Association does not believe homeschool students should be voiceless and unrepresented when making a decision that impacts the future of children within our region and community.
Within our community, parents who would choose to participate in UIL Activities and Events would be expected to meet all requirements as laid out in HB 547. Our only request is that these requirements be clarified throughout the districts and disseminated to campuses in a way that eliminates miscommunication and/or ignorance between all parties involved. Again, we invite any opportunity to participate in clarifying how homeschoolers can participate in UIL activities.
We take note of the fact that our local school districts strive to be innovative and inclusive. However, when innovation and inclusivity only include enrolled students, we see that districts are being exclusive to students existing within our region. We understand property taxes do not approach ADA funds. We want the homeschool community to have this opportunity, whether or not they choose to utilize it is not the current point of concern. HB547 has made this opportunity a reality, and we stand for El Paso Homeschool students and say a student living in your district is a student who has a right to pursue UIL Activities, Sports, and Events.
The El Paso Independent School District claims part of its mission is “ to empower them [students] as knowledgeable and engaged citizens, innovators…”
The Socorro Independent School District states they seek “to optimize our student’s academic, artistic, athletic, and interpersonal skills…”
The Ysleta Independent School District tells us that “Promoting a positive and service-oriented culture within YISD is not only a critical factor in our desire to provide excellence to stakeholders…”
Tornillo Independent School District says that it is “important for our students to achieve their maximum potential”
Canutillo Independent School District is dedicated to “preparing tomorrow’s best today with innovative, future-focused learning opportunities for every student…”
Clint Independent School District seeks to “prepare all students to be successful citizens. The District will work in partnership with the community and the family to create opportunities for the student to maximize personal potential…”
And Fabens Independent School District strives to create “life long learners in a global society”
We acknowledge the many opportunities our local school districts provide students within our region and community, and we also see what is glaringly obvious: only enrolled students and their families are stakeholders and part of the seen community. Homeschoolers who exercise their rights as outlined by Texas Educ. Agency v. Leeper, 893 S.W.2d 432 (Tex. 1994) are not being treated as stakeholders in their community because they choose not to enroll their children in a public school. We understand School districts are not required to allow for HB 547. We then must understand that school districts are communicating to homeschoolers that they exist outside of the community as districts choose to define it: enrolled vs. unenrolled.
We thank the many campus administrators who do indeed strive to be inclusive and seek answers for homeschoolers looking to engage with school districts. We acknowledge the difficulty of taking what funding is provided and creating the many opportunities School Districts create for their students. The undertaking is impressive, and you have created great opportunities for the students you wish to serve.
We also feel El Paso could set the standard in Texas for creating a streamlined method of homeschooler engagement for UIL activities and events.
We look forward to your response, and will gladly participate in discussing how districts in El Paso can lead Texas in partnering with their homeschool community.
Sincerely,
The El Paso Homeschool Association Board of Directors