Academic Proposal for Extra-Curricular Activities

At its May 10 meeting, the Board of Education approved the academic proposal for extra-curricular activities, and directed the Superintendent to develop administrative procedures. Under the new guidelines, a minimum 2.0 grade point average is required for students to be allowed to compete. Additionally, to help accelerate students academically, the existing program will be augmented with a structured academic support program.

The District’s existing policy coincides with the Illinois High School Association policy, stating that a student must be passing a minimum of four academic classes with a minimum D- grade in order to continue competitive competition. Eligibility is checked weekly, and a list is generated that identified students who are failing or near failing.

Existing program practices that will be continued are:

• Eligibility is checked weekly
• Students with near failing or failing grades are listed by course
• Students passing fewer than four academic subjects (does not include physical education or driver education) are listed as ineligible for the following week
• Students are ineligible to play until they are passing four or more subjects
• Near failing students may participate in the sport or competitive activity as long as they are passing the requisite number of courses

New program enhancements include:

• 
  Eligibility for competition will be assessed at the end of each quarter; students must achieve a 2.0 grade point average for the quarter, with no failing grades, to compete in the subsequent quarter
• Students who do not meet a 2.0 grade point average will be placed on probation for the next quarter and must adhere to the following academic interventions to continue to compete in extra-curricular programs:
• Attend tutoring at least three times per week before school, after school, on Saturdays, or during free periods. Students may receive tutoring from the teaching staff, teacher aides, or other students who have demonstrated competency in a given area of study and who are assigned to this program.
• Obtain the signature of all teachers to verify completion of all homework assignments for the week.
• Maintain passing grades and good standing status according to the IHSA weekly guidelines.
• Check in with the head coach weekly to submit teacher signatures and to update the coach on weekly progress.

At the end of each quarter, a report will be run to identify students who have not achieved a 2.0 grade point average or who have failed a class. Students who become ineligible will be monitored through the athletic or activity department, and coaches and sponsors will be informed of students who are failing to meet standards. It will be the responsibility of the coach/sponsor to work with the student to develop a plan to improve the student’s grades. IHSA eligibility reports will continue to be completed and reported on a weekly basis in accordance with IHSA rules.

If a student has two consecutive quarters of a grade point average below the 2.0 standard, or if the student is below a 2.0 for one quarter and subsequently fails to adhere to the academic interventions outlined above, he/she will be ineligible to compete in any extra-curricular activity until the next quarter. Students who become ineligible after fourth quarter must enroll in summer school courses and continue to attend tutoring sessions the following fall.

The Board also is considering adoption of this administrative procedure into policy, and will have its Policy Committee discuss and make a recommendation.