New Jersey bill would allow disabled students attending private schools that lack athletic teams to participate on their home school district teams
The New Jersey legislature's education committee has approved a bill that would allow disabled students attending private schools that lack athletic teams to participate on athletic teams in their home school district, provided the student meets the eligibility requirements of the program and has written approval from the home school's principal. Current New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJIAA) rules require students to attend the school on whose team they are playing. The bill was inspired by the difficulties encountered by Evan Israelsky, a high school student with Tourette syndrome, in attempting to rejoin his former public high school's tennis team. After two years at Cherry Hill High School West, Evan's parents decided to enroll him in a small private school that could better meet his academic and social needs. However, the school has no sports programs. Faced with the prospect of his not being able to play interscholastic tennis, the parents brought their case to the state legislature. While Evan, his parents, and the athletic director at Cherry Hill High School West applaud the bill, Boyd Sands, executive director of the NJSIAA, believes the legislature has no business interfering in how his association governs high school sports in the state. "I approve of the concept of the sending school making accommodations for a student, but the Legislature shouldn't be making our rules for us," he says. "The NJSIAA should be making the determination based on a recommendation for the school."
Philadelphia InquirerBy Kristen A. Graham and Nikki Usher
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