An Indiana lawmaker wants to allow home-schooled students to participate in high school sports. But Niki Kelly’s Sunday story finds that consensus on passing such a law is far from clear, even among home-schooling families.

The General Assembly is likely to keep to the sidelines until everyone agrees on the best course, and that’s precisely what it should do. Laws inevitably have unforeseen consequences, particularly those approved in spite of disagreement. A study under way by the Indiana High School Athletic Association and the Indiana Department of Education is due by the end of the year, although it is likely to focus only on how other states handle the issue.

It’s a tough one. Who doesn’t want to give young people every opportunity to participate in sports? That’s why Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, is seeking the change, pointing out that it would give “thousands more kids” the chance to play.

IHSAA rules allow home-schooled students to participate in high school sports only if they are enrolled in at least three public school classes a day. The requirement isn’t unreasonable. Public school students must meet attendance and academic requirements to participate in extracurricular activities. Because Indiana has virtually no requirements on home-schooling instruction, it’s impossible to ensure that students taught at home are meeting academic standards.

While the majority of home-schooling families are committed to sound instruction, the lack of regulation leaves a loophole for some who might focus on sports instead of course studies.

Tony Bennett, Indiana’s superintendent of public instruction, is a staunch supporter of parental choice, but the former basketball coach also recognizes that athletic participation must require some regulation.

“(Folks) make decisions, and decisions have ramifications,” he told Kelly. “If I am choosing an educational path for my child, I understand with that choice I have set up some limitations.”

The parents of home-schoolers who oppose the proposed law rightly recognize that it will come with restrictions. Terry Daniels, who along with his wife, Melinda, volunteers as athletic director for the Huntington Eagles Sports Club, points out that states that allow home-schooled students to play high school sports struggle to form home-school leagues. There are several such leagues in Indiana, well-organized and competitive.

Terry Daniels suggests what might be a sound compromise: Allow teams of home-schooled students to compete against IHSAA teams.

Private and parochial school teams compete against public high school teams with few problems. Allowing teams of home-schoolers to join the competition would give students the chance to play while avoiding problems such as recruiting or parents shopping for more playing time.

If high school athletic participation were as simple as kids playing friendly games, regulations would be unnecessary. That’s not the case, unfortunately; so approaching home-schoolers’ participation from the middle ground is the best route.