Embedded Files
During the 2021 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed the Dexter Mosely Act (Senate Bill 42). This legislation authorizes home study students in grades 6-12 to participate in extracurricular and interscholastic activities in the student’s resident public school system, with the requirement of certain notification and course enrollment provisions. The law is codified in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-319.6.
No home school students should attend workouts or practices/competitions until they are fully registered.
The linked documents below include important information required for home-schooled students to participate in athletic and extracurricular activities in Atlanta Public Schools.
Enrolling Adult Actions:
The Office of Student Assignment + Records requires the enrolling adult/guardian to complete the steps below to facilitate the enrollment of their home school student in their zone school, with the intention of participating in an extracurricular or interscholastic activity.
Compile the following documents:
The completed Home School Declaration of Intent Form.
A copy of the student’s most recent annual progress report as provided in Georgia’s requirements for home school programs to include the student’s instructor’s individualized assessment of the student’s academic progress in all courses (reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science); AND
A written verification by the home school instructor that the student is currently receiving a passing grade in each home study program course and is maintaining satisfactory progress towards advancement
2. Complete the Home School Part-time Enrollment SB42 Participation Declaration form and upload the above documents.
3. Upon submitting the declaration form, the enrolling parent/guardian will need to register their child through the Atlanta Public School Online Registration System (OLR) and upload all the enrollment documents. If you are having trouble with completing the OLR, please contact our office to schedule an appointment to complete the enrollment process.
Dexter Mosely Act (SB 42) Guidance
Student Eligibility Requirements
Student Eligibility Requirements
A home study student, as defined in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-690(c), in grades 6-12 shall be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities and interscholastic (E/I) activities on behalf of the student’s resident school and under the sponsorship, direction, and control of the resident school or resident school system, provided that EACH of the following requirements is met:
1. Parent Notification: At least 30 calendar days before the first school day of the semester in which a home study student will enroll in a qualifying course, the parent/guardian provides to resident principal and superintendent a written notice of home study student’s intent to participate in one or more E/I activities.
2. Student Progress Verification: Parent/guardian must provide to the resident principal and superintendent a copy of the home study student’s most recent annual progress report, with written verification by the home study program instructor that the student is currently receiving a passing grade in each home study program course, is maintaining satisfactory progress towards advancement, and meets the academic requirements for participation in the specified extracurricular or interscholastic activity.
3. Qualifying Course Enrollment: The home study student must enroll in and attempt to complete one qualifying course for each semester of the regular school year during any part of which the home study student participates in an E/I activity. Participation in an E/I activity includes tryouts; practices, rehearsals, and conditionings (in- and off-season, summer, and holiday); and all exhibitions, contests, and competitions.
4. Participation Requirements: The home study student must meet established age, academic, behavioral, conduct, disciplinary, residence, zoning, and other rules and requirements applicable to all students for participation in the specified E/I activity and must provide any supporting documentation required by the resident school.
5. Policy Adherence: The home study student must abide by the same student code of conduct and disciplinary measures and transportation policies as students enrolled at the resident school who are participating in the same E/I activity as the home study student.
6. E/I Activity and Selection Requirements: The home study student must complete the tryout process or equivalent for participation in the specified E/I activity applicable to all students for participation in the E/I activity and must be selected for participation in those E/I activities which involve a competitive selection process. The home study student must provide any supporting documentation required by the resident school. The resident school, system or athletic association shall not deny the home study student the opportunity to try out and participate, if selected, in any E/I activity available if the student meets the eligibility requirements outlined above.
Ineligibility – A student who withdraws from a public school to participate in a home study program shall be ineligible for participation in any E/I activity for 12 months from the date of the home study Declaration of Intent submission to GaDOE.
Qualifying Courses
Qualifying Courses
1. Qualifying Course Definition: A course facilitated by the resident school system through an on-site course required for participation in the designated E/I activities; by way of a dual credit course as provided for in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-161.3; or through one of Georgia’s public virtual instructional options identified in O.C.G.A. §20-2- 319.4(b) (Georgia Virtual School, contracted provider, inter-district agreements).
2. Qualifying Course Enrollment: The home study student must enroll in and attempt to complete one qualifying course for each semester of the regular school year during any part of which the home study student participates in an E/I activity. Participation in an E/I activity includes tryouts; practices, rehearsals, and conditionings (in- and off-season, summer, and holiday); and all exhibitions, contests, and competitions.
Course Selection: The home study student may choose to enroll in any qualifying course, unless the specified E/I activity has a required course for all participants of the activity. The home study student must complete all requirements for course enrollment.
3. Qualifying Course Funding: The specific assigned program of each home study student enrolled in a qualifying course shall be included for a one-sixth segment of the school day, or the block scheduling equivalent, by resident school system in reports made to GaDOE as provided in O.C.G.A. § 20-2-160(a).
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