We, the undersigned, believe that there should be a means for academic ineligible students to receive a second chance to participate in high school athletics based on substantial improvement at progress report time. The NHIAA eligibility rule states that if a student does not pass all four courses at the previous ranking period, he/she is ineligible to compete in high school athletics. This is an unfair disadvantage for our school in particular because we have three ranking periods instead of four periods as many high schools do currently. While other schools consider a "D" to be a passing grade, in our school a grade lower than 70% is a no credit or "NC". Some students may not understand the NHIAA eligibility rules. According to the WTAE article "Academic Policy Benches Sto-Rox High School Football Players", it says that "A lot of kids are not understanding (eligibility rules) because maybe someone hasn't explained it to them." says an athlete's parent. Sports can play an integral part of the high school experience. In The American Magazine article "Little League, Huge Effect" it says that "other things being equal, if a child plays sports, he will earn more money, stay in school longer and be more engaged in civic life" and also "Americans learn on the ball field or in the gym that effort and success are connected." We think that a fairer policy would allow a second chance for student athletes to get back on track and remain playing the sports they love by showing significant improvement at progress report time.

Links