Private schools continuing battle to join UIL for competitions

AUSTIN (AP) - After years of being defeated in courtrooms and the state Capitol, some Texas private schools are still trying to get into the league for public school sports and academic competition.

A bill before the Texas Senate would force the University Interscholastic League to accept private schools for district play, but a new twist is that it would create separate championships.

What hasn't changed is the fierce opposition from public schools. They argue private schools recruit a select student body and would not be subject to state laws such as "no-pass, no play" academic requirements.

If allowed in, private schools would be subject to steroid testing, which covers athletes participating in leagues sanctioned by the UIL.

Sen. Dan Patrick, a Republican from Houston, is sponsoring the bill. He says families who pay property taxes that support public schools should be allowed to compete not only in sports, but the UIL's prestigious academic competitions as well.

"To me, this is all about fairness," Patrick said Thursday before a hearing on the bill in the Senate Education Committee. The panel left the bill pending without a vote.