Proposed bills would give Pa. students second chance at school, sports

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Students are in a very difficult predicament because they're not sure what will happen with their school year or sports.

Republican state lawmakers in Pennsylvania say they want to give parents more power to let their children repeat a year of schooling if they feel their child didn’t get the education they needed or missed out on a year of athletics amid shutdowns during the pandemic.

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These bills would basically give the students a second chance at schooling and sports, and the lawmakers pushing for them say they’re essential.

Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Fulton) said Monday that his forthcoming legislation applies equally to parents motivated by education or athletics.

Channel 11 reported both the WPIAL and PIAA were putting sports on hold for the next two weeks. Both organizations say there is serious confusion about guidelines and restrictions after Gov. Tom Wolf’s office commented on the future of athletics.

Last week during a press briefing, Wolf mentioned that if districts are doing all online schooling and no in-person instruction that students should not play sports. He also recommended late last week sports should not take place until at least January of 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns.

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Currently, schools and parents make a joint decision as to when a student can repeat, Topper said. But Topper said his legislation gives that sole decision-making power to the parents.

So, for instance, a parent whose high schooler misses a season of football, baseball, basketball, soccer, field hockey or some other sport — and a chance to make their case for a college scholarship — can have them repeat a year, Topper said.

Also, a parent whose elementary school student fell behind during the months after school buildings shut down in March and isn’t ready to move to the next grade can also choose to have their child repeat the grade, Topper said.

“We have to get this right,” Topper said in an interview. “We’re talking about kids that are going to be a year behind academically.”

Wolf ordered schools to shut their buildings as the pandemic hit Pennsylvania in March.

Companion legislation being introduced by Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland) would give school districts the power to decide whether fall sports and activities can go on, including whether spectators are permitted.

It would take that decision-making authority away from the state or the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Some coaches and parents agree with that argument. One Pine-Richland parent said putting the decision into the hands of schools gives parents more say in what happens with their children.

Wolf’s administration has also ordered that sporting events at all levels be held without spectators, unless it approves a team’s plan.

Two bills have been placed in the House Education Committee. If voted out of that committee, then the bills will go to the House floor.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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