State Rep. Brock Colvin from Alabama has proposed House Bill 298, aiming to change how immigrant students are counted in high schools under the Alabama High School Athletic Association system. Under the proposed bill, English learner students in their first five years of enrollment would not be counted unless they choose to participate in athletics, helping schools struggling with competitive sports due to low participation among immigrant students.
Albertville High School, where Colvin graduated from, currently faces challenges in fielding a competitive football team due to a large Hispanic student population that has little interest in extracurricular activities. The proposed bill aims to address this issue not only for Albertville but also for other schools across Alabama facing similar struggles.
While there has been some criticism of the proposal, with concerns about unfair exclusion of EL students, Colvin asserts that the goal is to create a more level playing field for schools grappling with athletic participation issues. The bill has been included in a package of legislation focusing on illegal immigration, but Colvin emphasizes that the issue is about properly reflecting the realities of the student population in schools, not about immigration status.
The proposal has not been well-received by the AHSAA, but Colvin believes it is necessary to act now to help student-athletes in his district. The bill aims to address the challenges faced by schools like Albertville in maintaining competitive sports programs while also ensuring fair play for all students.
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