Tim Tebow has been mentioned in the news mostly for his quarterback play, but the name of the backup star on the Jets has a very different meaning in the State senate in Alabama, as it is being used to push forward a new piece of legislation regarding home schooled students.
According to the Daily Sentinel, a "Tim Tebow Bill" is being pushed in the Alabama State Senate by State Sen. Shadrack McGill (R-Macedonia) that would allow home-schooled children participate in athletics at public schools. The bill is named for Tebow because he himself was home schooled by his parents and was allowed to star on his local high school football team.
The report says that the "Tim Tebow Act" died out in the State Senate last year and that it has been reworked to get back on the floor this time around. McGill said that the new legislation has changed its wording from extracurricular activities to just athletics, rather than the full range of public programs.
"We'll see how it goes," he said to the Daily Sentinel.
Last week a public hearing was held about the bill and it is expected to be voted on by the Senate Education Committee this week. Tebow won two national championships at Florida before being drafted in the NFL and he was able to lead his high school team to a Florida state championship despite being home-schooled.
McGill cited the fact that Tebow was allowed to play for his high school team may have been the main reason he was able to star at Florida and later the NFL. According to the report, McGill said that 29 other states across the country allow students to participate in athletic programs at local high schools, which is one reason why the state should adopt the law.
"Parents of home schooled students pay the same sales taxes," said McGill. "Their children should be allowed to participate as well."
The new bill would allow students to participate in athletic programs at public schools f they are home schooled and would require those students to stick to the same requirements and fees that other students follow, including activity fees and behavior standards.
McGill said that only 100 students would be affected by the bill and that last year the bill was killed mainly with opposition from the Alabama High School Athletic Association and Alabama Education Association.
McGill interacted with some voters on Facebook, some of whom approved and disapproved the legislation.
"If the schools aren't good enough for the children to attend, why should they have the privilege to play sports with them?," asked Brandon Phillips.
