In recent years, athletes have been given increasingly more leniency in participating in high school sports. To participate in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), any student from an online or public school is merely required to sign up for the school’s public independent study program to grant them eligibility.
Through this simple process, those on independent study are unfairly allowed to compete among student athletes. Independent study is an individualized learning plan, so the program has fewer accountability metrics than in-person instruction. Attendance is also counted based on whether students make progress in courses. While proponents argue that loosening restrictions on those who can play high school sports can boost social interactions, students must balance school workload with practice, while those in a self-paced program have a much lighter load.
Although California is among 20 states that don’t let homeschooled athletes outright play for high schools without any sort of attendance, there should definitely be more restrictions than simply enrolling in self-paced independent study. Those that attend school in-person are subject to different academic requirements, such as being monitored daily in public schools. Even if you understand the content, students are required to sit in school until release time.
Personally, I know numerous athletes that do independent study in tennis and still play in CIF. Without having to actually attend school, they are able to play hours everyday, leading to a pattern where some students have no chance to win competitively.
However, I recognize that many students are forced into the situation of learning from home due to varying circumstances regarding family and health. These students are often left without a choice, but the issue lies with those that do independent study simply to have an unfair edge over other students.
Additionally, CIF regulations allow independent study athletes to abuse this loophole that is unjust toward in-person students. To ensure and promote fairness, California should re-evaluate its policies by enforcing stricter rules regarding the eligibility of those who can compete in high school sports.
