In 2006, the Home Education Law was amended to provide homeschoolers equal access to extracurricular activities in their school district of residence. The wording of the Equal Access Law follows:
1) Beginning January 1, 2006, the school district of residence shall permit a child who is enrolled in a home education program to participate in any activity that is subject to the provisions of section 511, including, but not limited to, clubs, musical ensembles, athletics and theatrical productions provided that the child:
(i) Meets the eligibility criteria or their equivalent for participation in the activity that apply to students enrolled in the school district;
(ii) Meets the tryout criteria or their equivalent for participation in the activity that apply to students enrolled in the school district; and
(iii) Complies with all policies, rules and regulations or their equivalent of the governing organization of the activity.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the school district of residence’s program of interscholastic athletics, including varsity sports, shall be considered an activity and shall include all activities related to competitive sports contests, games, events or exhibitions involving individual students or teams of students whenever such activities occur between schools within the school district or between schools outside of the school district.
(3) Where the activity requires completion of a physical examination or medical test as a condition of participation and the school district of residence offers such physical examination or medical test to students enrolled in the school district, the school district shall permit a child who is enrolled in a home education program to access such physical examination or medical test. The school district shall publish the dates and times of such physical examination or medical test in a publication of general circulation in the school district and on its publicly accessible Internet website.
(4) A board of school directors may adopt a policy to implement the requirements of this subsection. Such policy shall only apply to participation in activities and shall not conflict with any provisions of this section.