Board Policy IDE (2) Competitive Interscholastic Activities Grades 6-8 Current

                                                                                               Board Policy Manual
                                                                                       DeKalb County School District

 Board Policy IDE(2): Competitive Interscholastic Activities, Grades 6-8                                   Status: ADOPTED

 Original Adopted Date: 09/11/2000 | Last Reviewed Date: 09/11/2000


COMPETITIVE INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES
                                       IN GRADES 6-8 NO PASS/NO PARTICIPATE
The DeKalb County Board of Education supports the offering of competitive interscholastic activities subject to
reasonable rules and regulations that prevent any participation from interfering with the academic achievement of
students.
   I. Definitions

         1. Competitive interscholastic activities - function held under the auspices or sponsorship of a school that
            involves its students in competition between individuals or groups representing two or more schools.
            Cheerleading, bands and chorus are included in this definition if the members compete in scheduled
            activities with students representing a different school.
         2. School day – the period between the time students are required to report and the time of dismissal as
            specified by the Board of Education policy.

  II. Requirements
      The DeKalb County Board of Education is responsible for regulating competitive interscholastic activities in
      grades 6-8, therefore adopts the following requirements as to student eligibility, physical examinations, time
      restrictions, seasonal practice, special provisions and appeals.
      The Superintendent is directed to ensure that each school principal properly regulates competitive activities in
      his/her school and that all staff members adhere to the requirements set forth in this policy.
      The Superintendent shall ensure that each school principal maintain documentation of adherence and upon
      request be prepared to provide evidence that the following requirements are met:
         A. Student Eligibility

                1. The grading period shall be a semester as specified by Board of Education policy. The same period
                   shall also be the minimum length of the ineligibility period.

                2. Students participating in competitive inter-scholastic activities shall pass a minimum of five
                   subjects carrying credit toward grade promotion in the grading period immediately preceding
                   participation.
                       a. Students initially enrolling in the first quarter or semester of the sixth grade are exempt from
                          this requirement.
                       b. Exploratory subjects taken during the same quarter or semester are averaged to count as
                          one subject for eligibility purposes.
                3. Students participating in any competitive interscholastic activity shall be enrolled full time in the
                   District’s public schools and shall take a minimum of five subjects carrying credit toward grade
                   promotion during the grading period of participation.

                4. Student eligibility shall be determined on the first school day of a semester. A student is eligible to
                   practice/condition for first semester activities if the student passed a minimum of five subjects
                   carrying credit toward grade promotion during the preceding second semester.
                       a. A maximum of two subjects taken in summer school and carrying credit toward grade
                          promotion may be counted for eligibility purposes for participation in first semester
                          activities.
            b. If a student receives an incomplete for a subject that will be used to establish eligibility,
               he/she may complete make-up work that will change the incomplete to a grade provided
               this opportunity is available to all students.
            c. To participate in first semester competitive activities, the student shall complete all make-up
               work with 14 calendar days from the end of the previous second semester.
            d. To participate during the second semester the student shall complete all make-up work
               within 14 calendar days from the first day of the respective semester.
            e. A student is ineligible until make-up work is completed and the required passing grade(s)
               is/are recorded in the student’s permanent record.
      5. Independent study courses credit taken in summer school may not be used to gain eligibility.
      6. Summer school credits earned in nonaccredited home study programs or nonaccredited private
         schools may not be used to gain eligibility. For summer school credits to be accepted for eligibility
         purposes from either private schools, or home study programs, the credits must have been earned
         in programs approved by the accrediting agency recognized by the State Board of Education in
         accordance with Rule 160-5-1-.15 Acceptance of Transfer Credit and/or Grades.
B. Physical Examinations.
   All students in grades 6-8 who participate in competitive interscholastic athletics and cheerleading shall
   have an annual physical examination prior to participation in any tryout, practice or conditioning,
   whichever comes first. The physical examination form shall indicate approval for participation and be
   signed by a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathy. The physical examination form shall include
   the date that the exam was performed (month, day, year), the student’s name and the physician’s
   signature.
C. Time Restrictions for Activities.
      1. Competitive interscholastic activities and all individual and group practice for such activities shall
         be conducted outside the school day.
      2. Competitive interscholastic activities and group and individual practice on a day preceding a school
         day may not begin prior to the end of the school day and must end by no later than four hours
         after the close of the home team’s school day.
      3. Only one day or night each week preceding a school day may be used to schedule the same
         competitive interscholastic activity; tournaments are excluded from this restriction.
      4. The number of games scheduled shall not exceed 60 percent of the number of regularly scheduled
         games played by the high school varsity in any given sport. One tournament, not to exceed four
         games, may be played in addition to the regular season games.

D. Seasonal Practice.
   Spring football practice shall be scheduled so that it does not interfere with other regular season sports,
   academics, or examinations.
      1. If individual players are participating in scheduled league or association playoffs for one sport,
         these players shall be excused from spring football practice for the duration of the playoffs.
      2. Neither school personnel, sponsors nor coaches shall suggest, require, or otherwise attempt to
         influence students to participate in, practice and/or conditioning for a competitive interscholastic
         activity during the school day.
E. Special Provisions.
      1. Special education students shall meet the same eligibility requirements as regular students, except
               that the courses passed must be according to the student’s IEP. Special Olympics or other athletic
               programs designed exclusively for students with disabilities are exempt.
            2. Students who have not attained ninth grade status but are participating in high school competitive
               interscholastic activities shall abide by the appropriate grades 6-8 requirements. The principal of
               grades 6-8 shall be responsible for the compliance of this requirement.
            3. Ineligible students are prohibited from practicing or dressing out for competitive interscholastic
               events.
            4. The provisions of this rule do not apply to participation in vocational clubs, academic bowls,
               geography bees, spelling bees, science fairs, math bowls, or specific subject area fairs.
            5. The Board of Education authorizes the high school(s) to join leagues or appropriate associations for
               the purpose of formulating and enforcing uniform rules of eligibility and play. Nothing in this policy
               shall be deemed to authorize the use of state or local tax dollars for membership in these
               organizations.
      F. Retention of Students for Athletic Purposes is Prohibited.
            1. If a school chooses to retain a student in grade 6, 7, or 8 who has passing grades, the school shall
               document the educational reasons for the retention. Written documentation shall be maintained in
               the student’s permanent record and shall include the following information:
                  a. A parent/guardian written request outlining the reasons for requesting the retention and/or
                     a school-initiated written request with accompanying written approval of the request by the
                     parent/guardian.
                  b. Statements from two professional sources from outside the school justifying the retention
                     for educational reasons.
                  c. Written approval of the retention request and justification of the retention for educational
                     reasons by the principal, the Superintendent and by two teachers (other than athletic coach)
                     who have taught the students.
III. Waivers/Variances.
      A. Requests for waiver or variance of provisions in this Rule may be made by a student or a student’s parent
         or guardian, by school or school system personnel, or by the Board of Education.
      B. Such requests shall include the following information:
            1. The requirement from which a variance or waiver is requested.
            2. The type of action requested.
            3. The specific facts of substantial hardship which would justify a variance or waiver for the
               petitioner, including the alternative standards which the person seeking the variance or waiver
               agrees to meet and a showing that such alternative standards will afford adequate protection for
               the public health, safety and welfare.
            4. The reason why the variance or waiver requested would serve the purpose of the rule on
               competitive activities.

            5. The activity involved.
            6. Evidence that supports the request, including statements of students and/or parents, school
               personnel, and doctors (if medical condition is involved); student grade reports; official student
               transcripts; and any other pertinent information.