Guidance on “Scholarship Rule,” 36.15(2)

July 2009

(Starting dates updated for 2010-11)

(New FAQ #20a added 5/4/10)

Table of Contents:

Summary of the rule……………………..………………………………………….. 2

Verbatim language of the rule………………………….………………………….. 3

Other related rules ……………….………………………………………………….. 4

Frequently Asked Questions

Definitions……………………………………………………………………. 5

9^th graders…………………………………………………………………..... 6

10^th – 12^th grade students..…………………………………………………. 6

College coursework, AP courses………………………………………….. 8

Summer school/summer sports..………………………………………….. 9

Students with disabilities.……………………………………………...….. 10

Miscellaneous…………...………………………………………………….. 12

Starting dates for 2010-11……………………………………………………..... 15

Summary of Scholarship Rule, 281—IAC 36.15(2)

The following requirements were effective 7-1-08:

· A student must receive credit in at least 4 subjects at all times.

· A student must pass all and make adequate progress toward graduation to remain eligible.

· If a student is not passing all at end of a final grading period, student is ineligible for first period of 30 consecutive calendar days in the interscholastic athletic event in which the student is a contestant. There is no requirement that the student competed in the sport previously. Students in baseball or softball have the same penalty as all other students.

· If a student is not passing all at any check point (if school checks at any time other than the end of a grading period), period of ineligibility and conditions of reinstatement are left to the school.

· Schools must check grades at the end of each grading period; otherwise, a school determines if and how often it checks grades.

· A student with a disability and an IEP is judged based on progress made toward IEP goals.

· The ability to use summer school or other means to make up failing grades for eligibility purposes not available. The rule now also requires that all original failing grades (even those remediated for purposes other than athletic eligibility) be reported to any school to which the student transfers.

Verbatim language of rule

36.15(2) Scholarship rules.

a. All contestants must be enrolled and in good standing in a school that is a member or associate member in good standing of the organization sponsoring the event.

b. All contestants must be under 20 years of age.

c. All contestants shall be enrolled students of the school in good standing. They shall receive credit in at least four subjects, each of one period or “hour” or the equivalent thereof, at all times. To qualify under this rule, a “subject” must meet the requirements of 281—Chapter 12. Coursework taken from a postsecondary institution and for which a school district or accredited nonpublic school grants academic credit toward high school graduation shall be used in determining eligibility. No student shall be denied eligibility if the student’s school program deviates from the traditional two-semester school year.

(1) Each contestant shall be passing all coursework for which credit is given and shall be making adequate progress toward graduation requirements at the end of each grading period. Grading period, graduation requirements, and any interim periods of ineligibility are determined by local policy. For purposes of this subrule, “grading period” shall mean the period of time at the end of which a student in grades 9 through 12 receives a final grade and course credit is awarded for passing grades.

(2) If at the end of any grading period a contestant is given a failing grade in any course for which credit is awarded, the contestant is ineligible to dress for and compete in the next occurring interscholastic athletic contests and competitions in which the contestant is a contestant for 30 consecutive calendar days.

d. A student with a disability who has an individualized education program shall not be denied eligibility on the basis of scholarship if the student is making adequate progress, as determined by school officials, towards the goals and objectives on the student’s individualized education program.

e. A student who meets all other qualifications may be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for a maximum of eight consecutive semesters upon entering the ninth grade for the first time. However, a student who engages in athletics during the summer following eighth grade is also eligible to compete during the summer following twelfth grade. Extenuating circumstances, such as health, may be the basis for an appeal to the executive board which may extend the eligibility of a student when the executive board finds that the interests of the student and interscholastic athletics will be benefited.

f. All member schools shall provide appropriate interventions and necessary academic supports for students who fail or who are at risk to fail, and shall report to the department regarding those interventions on the comprehensive school improvement plan.

g. A student is academically eligible upon entering the ninth grade.

h. A student is not eligible to participate in an interscholastic sport if the student has, in that same sport, participated in a contest with or against, or trained with, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), or other collegiate governing organization’s sanctioned team. A student may not participate with or against high school graduates if the graduates represent a collegiate institution or if the event is sanctioned or sponsored by a collegiate institution. Nothing in this subrule shall preclude a student from participating in a one-time tryout with or against members of a college team with permission from the member school’s administration and the respective collegiate institution’s athletic administration.

i. No student shall be eligible to participate in any given interscholastic athletic sport if the student has engaged in that sport professionally.

j. The local superintendent of schools, with the approval of the local board of education, may give permission to a dropout student to participate in athletics upon return to school if the student is otherwise eligible under these rules.

k. Remediation of a failing grade by way of summer school or other means shall not affect the student’s ineligibility. All failing grades shall be reported to any school to which the student transfers.

Other related rules

281—36.1(280), definition of “compete” added to definitions:

“Compete” means participating in an interscholastic contest or competition, and includes dressing in full team uniform for the interscholastic contest or competition, as well as participating in pre-game warm-up exercises with team members. “Compete” does not include any managerial, recordkeeping, or other non-competitor functions performed by a student on behalf of a member or associate member school.

281—36.15(1) amended to add the following sentence:

A member or associate member school shall not allow any student, including any transfer student, to compete until such time as the school has reasonably reliable proof that the student is eligible to complete for the member or associate member school under these rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Definitions

What is passing?

There is no statewide definition of passing; this is a locally controlled decision. In the absence of a local rule to address this, passing means any grade that is other than “F.”

If a school has an option whereby students may take a course “pass or no pass,” a grade of “no pass” is a failing grade.

How about Incompletes? Withdrawals?

Again, this is left to local control. But, LOCAL CONTROL means taking affirmative action to clarify for students just what an “I” or “W” means. In the absence of a local rule to address this, an “I” or “W” will be considered failure.

May an Incomplete be changed to a passing grade?

Depends on local policy. If a school has a policy that an “I” is failure, the “I” may not be changed to a passing grade for purposes of avoiding ineligibility.

What is a grading period?

A “grading period” is the period of time at the end of which a student receives a final grade and course credit is awarded for passing grades. Each school determines its own grading periods.

What is a final grade?

A final grade is that grade that goes on the student’s transcript. If a school offers block scheduling, a final grade might occur at the end of nine weeks if the grade is recorded on the student’s transcript. A final grade is NOT the grade on the progress report that goes to students and their families.

What is credit coursework or a credit subject?

If the student’s transcript includes a letter grade (other than “F,” “I,” or “W”) for the subject or course, this is credit coursework. The most typical example of non-credit coursework is Driver Education. It is a local decision (to be made about the course as it applies to all students, and not to be made on an individual student basis) whether a certain subject or course is one for which credit is awarded.

Why is a definition of “compete” included in the rules?

There have been instances where member and associate member schools inadvertently played ineligible students, forcing the executive board to determine an appropriate penalty to impose against the school. For instance, in one case, a transfer student (ineligible for 90 consecutive school days from varsity competition) played J.V. football and practiced with the varsity as a member of the scout team. No problem so far. Unfortunately, he was allowed to dress in full pads and uniform and to be on the sidelines with the rest of the varsity team on game nights. During one game, his team had enough of a lead that the coach yelled “scout team go in.” You guessed it; the ineligible player ran in with the rest of the scout team and played a couple of downs before the error was caught. Adding a definition of “compete” and including dressing in full uniform and taking part in pre-game warm-ups is meant to assist member and associate member schools to know what is and is not acceptable.

9^TH Graders

1. Is an incoming 9^th grader affected by the rule if s/he did not pass all credit coursework on his/her final 8^th grade report card?

Not under the state rule. Unless the local policy states otherwise, all incoming 9^th graders have immediate eligibility, at least under the scholarship rule.

2. What is the result for a 9^th grader who did not play softball/baseball and does not pass all after the first grading period as a 9^th grader?

The student is ineligible for the first 30 calendar days of competition of the next sport (or current sport if in season) s/he competes in. This is the same result as for any other secondary student.

3. What is the result for a 9^th grader who played softball/baseball immediately after 8^th grade and does not pass all after the first grading period as a 9^th grader?

Again, this is now the same result as for any other secondary student. The student is ineligible for the next 30 calendar days of competition of the next sport (or current sport if in season) s/he competes in. If the student is participating in basketball at the time, s/he sits out the first 30 calendar days of basketball. If the student is not in basketball, but goes out for track, the 30 days applies to track. If the student competes solely in softball or baseball, that is the season affected, and the period of ineligibility is 30 calendar days.

4. If a 9^th grader does not go out for any sports and does not pass all at the end of a final grading period during the student’s freshman year, what is the period of ineligibility if that student wants to go out for one or more sports sophomore year? Junior or senior year?

The student is ineligible for the first 30 calendar days of the first sport s/he goes out for in the student’s sophomore year. If the student passes all during sophomore year, and does not compete in any athletics until the student’s junior or senior year, the student may participate with no period of ineligibility (unless local rule provides some ineligibility). This is because the student will have satisfied the one full year “look back” period of time (having a full academic year of all passing grades during which time the student does not compete in any interscholastic athletics).

10^TH- 12^th Grade Students

5. What is the result for a student who is competing in basketball and does not pass all after the first grading period?

The student is ineligible for the next 30 calendar days of competition in basketball. The period of ineligibility starts on the first day of the next grading period.

6. Same as above, but the student has a hunch that she failed a course, so she never picks up her report card.

The student cannot postpone her ineligibility. She is out for the next 30 calendar days of competition in basketball, whether or not she receives the report card. The same is true for report cards that get lost in the mail or are eaten by the dog. The period of ineligibility starts on the first day of the next grading period.

7. When there is no doubt that a student is going to receive an “F” as a final grade, can the school let the student know before grades are actually issued so that the period of ineligibility starts sooner?

The school may let the student know about the failing grade, but the period of ineligibility starts on the first day of the next grading period. That is, a school may not move up the period of ineligibility for a student by giving the student advance knowledge of the student’s final grades. If a school has an ineligible student start his/her period of ineligibility earlier than the first day of the next grading period, the ineligibility will NOT end any sooner than the 31^st day of the new grading period.

8. What is the result for a student whose only sport is wrestling (or any fall or winter sport) and he does not pass all after the final grading period (e.g., second semester)?

The student is ineligible for the first 30 calendar days of competition in wrestling the next year. However, if the student decides to go out for cross country (or any other sport) for the first time the next year, the student’s period of ineligibility will be applied to that sport.

9. What is the result for a student whose only sport is football (or any fall sport) and he does not pass all on his first semester report card but gets all “A”s on the second semester report card?

The student is ineligible for the first 30 calendar days of competition in football the next year.

10. What is the result for a student who competes in wrestling or boys swimming and he does not pass all on his first semester report card?

The student is ineligible for the next 30 calendar days of competition in his sport (wrestling or swimming). If the season ends before 30 calendar days expire, the extra days carry over to the next sport in which the student competes.

Example 1: Grades from first semester are issued January 16, a Friday. Second semester starts on Tuesday, January 20. Rick, a wrestler, has an “F” as a final grade. His ineligibility starts on Tuesday, January 20. Wrestling season ends on the Saturday of the state dual team tournament (in 2009 this will be February 28). All of Rick’s 30 calendar days of ineligibility are used up during the wrestling season.

Example 2: Same as above, except Rick is a swimmer. Swim season ends February 14, the date of the state meet. There are 26 calendar days from January 20 to February 14, so Rick has four more days of ineligibility to serve. These days shall be applied to the next sport in which Rick competes.

11. What is the result for a student who competes in spring golf and does not pass all on the second semester report card?

The student is ineligible for the next 30 calendar days of competition in her sport (golf), and any “unexpired” days of ineligibility carry over to the next sport in which the student competes.

Example 1: Grades from second semester are issued May 17. Carol, a golfer and swimmer, does not pass all. She is ineligible in golf from May 18 through the girls state golf meet on June 1-2 (16 days), as well as the state coed golf meet on June 9 (1 day). She has 13 additional calendar days of ineligibility that shall apply to the first 13 calendar days of the fall swim season.

Example 2: Grades from second semester are issued May 31. Carol, a golfer and swimmer, does not pass all. Only the state meets remain in her season. She is ineligible for the girls state golf meet on June 1-2, as well as the state coed golf meet on June 9. She has 27 calendar days of ineligibility that shall apply to the first 27 calendar days of the fall swim season.

12. Where final grades are issued so closely to the student’s next athletic contest, how can a school ensure that it does not inadvertently allow an ineligible student to compete?

The burden is on school officials to talk to teachers and make sure that ineligible students do not compete. Where a competition is schedule within a day or a few days of the end of a grading period, coaches and athletic directors should be talking to teachers to identify any students who are vulnerable to not passing. Inasmuch as allowing an ineligible student to compete exposes the school to penalties by IHSAA or IGHSAU, including forfeiture, it is in the school’s best interests to take all possible means to check on final grades.

13. What is the result for a senior whose only sport has been volleyball (or any fall sport that concludes before end of first semester) and she does not pass all on her first semester report card?

The student is ineligible for the first 30 calendar days of any interscholastic sport in which she competes. If the student does not compete in any interscholastic sport following the issuance of the failing grade, there is no season in which to apply the penalty.

14. If a student competes in two sports simultaneously (cross country and volleyball; golf and track; etc.) and becomes ineligible during or for the season, is the student ineligible for 30 calendar days for both sports?

Yes. The student is ineligible for all sports during the 30 calendar day period of ineligibility, but it is the same 30 day period (i.e., a total of 30 calendar days, not 60) .

15. If a student competed solely in track as a 9^th grader, did not pass all coursework at the end of second semester, and decides not to compete in track again but to go out for golf, is the student eligible for golf?

No. The period of ineligibility applies to any interscholastic sport in which the student seeks to compete.

College Coursework, AP Courses

16. If a student takes an Advanced Placement (AP) course and fails that course, but passes all other coursework, does the “F” in the AP course count under rule 36.15(2)?

Yes it does.

17. If a student takes a course under PSEO (postsecondary enrollment option), does this coursework count under rule 36.15(2)?

Yes it does. The rule has always provided that PSEO coursework shall be used to determine eligibility. Students are not allowed to audit PSEO coursework.

Example: Rick uses PSEO to take Advanced Astronomy at ISU. He also takes four other courses at his high school, all for credit. The stars are not his friends; he fails the PSEO course. Rick passes the other four courses, but the “F” in the PSEO course renders him ineligible under the rule.

18. If a student takes a concurrent enrollment course from a community college (contracted course for supplementary weighting), does this coursework count under rule 36.15(2)?

Yes. Any course taken for both secondary and postsecondary credit counts under 36.15(2).

19. If a student takes a college credit course on her own and will receive no secondary credit for the course, does this coursework count under rule 36.15(2)?

No. It counts neither for nor against the student.

Example 1: Carol enrolls in a culinary course at DMACC and attends the course at night. She receives only postsecondary credit for the course, no secondary credit. Carol gets an A. This course does not count as one of the four credited subjects she must take to be eligible under 36.15(2). So if she is enrolled in only three credit courses at her high school, she is not eligible.

Example 2: Carol enrolls in a culinary course at DMACC and attends the course at night. She receives only postsecondary credit for the course, no secondary credit. Carol gets an F in the DMACC course. She also takes and gets passing grades in four credit courses at her high school. She remains eligible.

Summer School/Summer Sports

20. How is ineligibility imposed for students whose only sport is softball or baseball?

The period of ineligibility is 30 calendar days, starting immediately upon issuance of the final grading period report cards. If the ineligibility was because of an earlier “F,” the time starts with the first allowable date of competition for softball or baseball.

Example 1: Troy competes in baseball, but gets an “F” on his final report card for the year. The report card is issued on June 2. His ineligibility starts June 3^rd and ends July 2^nd, 30 calendar days later.

Example 2: Troy competes only in baseball. He received an “F” on his first semester report card. His ineligibility starts on the first date on which a baseball contest is allowed to be scheduled and ends 30 calendar days later. For the 2010 season, the first date on which a baseball contest is allowed is May 24.

Example 3: Troy competes only in baseball. He received an “F” on his first semester report card. He also received an “F” on his second semester report card. His ineligibility for the first semester “F” starts on the first legal playing date, May 24. The second semester grades are issued June 2, so the period of ineligibility for this “F” starts June 3. The two periods of ineligibility run concurrently with each other. Troy does not have 60 days of ineligibility. The days remaining from his first period of ineligibility run at the same time as his new 30 day period. His total ineligibility ends July 2, 2009.

20a. How is ineligibility imposed for a senior who gets an “F” on his/her final report card?

The final grades for seniors are almost always issued several days, if not weeks, before final grades are issued for freshmen – juniors. However, the period of ineligibility is 30 calendar days, starting upon issuance of the final grading report cards for the underclassmen. By local policy, a school may choose to have the student sit out sooner, but the official 30 day period imposed by the state rule will not start until the report cards for the underclassmen have been issued. By having a senior start his/her ineligibility early, a school does not start the 30 day clock any earlier. See question #7.

21. May a student who received an “F” on his second semester report card re-take that class over the summer to change the grade?

Not for purposes of changing his eligibility. Students should always be encouraged to remediate subjects they did not master the first time around. If the school has a policy that it will change the student’s grade on his transcript if this occurs, that does not change the fact that the student is ineligible under rule 36.15(2). Also, note that schools are now required to report all original failing grades (even those remediated for purposes other than athletic eligibility) to any school to which the student transfers. So, if a student’s transcript does not reflect that an “F” was originally earned in a certain course (because the student remediated the grade to a passing mark), the school must still let the next secondary school know that the student originally failed the course.

22. When is the ineligibility period for a student who participate in football and baseball and who does not pass all coursework at the end of first semester but passes all at the end of second semester?

If the student goes out for baseball, this is the sport to which his ineligibility will apply.

Students with Disabilities

23. How does the rule affect a student with an IEP?

A student with an IEP (Individualized Education Program) is not subject to “pass all.”

The student is not to be denied eligibility on the basis of grades if the student is making adequate progress, as determined by school officials, towards the goals and objectives on the student’s IEP.

24. May a school set higher requirements for students with disabilities, such as by holding students with disabilities to the “pass all” rule applicable to students without disabilities?

No. So long as the student is making adequate progress toward goals, on the student’s IEP, as determined by school officials, the student “shall not be denied eligibility” based on scholarship. What constitutes adequate progress will vary based on the facts of each student’s case.

25. Who determines “adequate progress” for a student with an IEP?

“School officials” make that determination, not the student’s IEP team and not the student’s parents.

26. What happens after school officials determine what progress a student with disabilities is required to achieve to be eligible for competition?

Those officials must immediately communicate what “adequate progress” constitutes to the student and the student’s parents, teachers, and others who assign grades to or monitor the progress of the student.

27. Are students with IEPs required to attain their goals to be eligible?

The rule requires adequate progress toward goals, not goal attainment. In some cases, a student may make adequate progress toward a goal without necessarily attaining it. In other cases, goal attainment might be the only outcome that would constitute “adequate progress.” Whether goal attainment constitutes the required “adequate progress” depends on the facts of each case.

28. What if a student with an IEP fails a class for which there are no express IEP goals and no specially designed instruction?

Examine the relationship between the IEP goals and the failed course. If there is a close relationship between the IEP goal(s) and the failed course, and the student made adequate progress on the IEP’s goal(s), then the student is eligible. If there is a close relationship and the student did not make adequate progress toward an IEP goal, then the student is not eligible. If there is little or no relationship between an IEP goal and the course failed, the student is not eligible.

29. What if a student with an IEP passes all classes yet does not make “adequate progress” on IEP goals?

In this extremely unlikely event, the competitor is eligible.

30. What if an ineligible student’s IEP provides for “participation” in interscholastic activities?

An ineligible student may participate (e.g., practicing, serving as team manager) without competing. An IEP team has no authority to provide that a student with an IEP, who otherwise would be academically ineligible for competition, must be allowed to compete in interscholastic competition.

31. What if a student is being currently evaluated for special education?

Until the evaluation is complete, the student must meet requirements applicable to students without IEPs. Once the evaluation is complete and an IEP is developed, apply this rule to determine the student’s eligibility.

32. What happens if a student with a disability is not eligible under this rule?

As is true of non-disabled students, the student may practice, but may not participate in competition or dress for competition. A local district may provide, however, that ineligible competitors are not permitted to practice.

33. Does the rule apply to students with only Section 504 accommodation plans?

No. The purpose of a 504 accommodation plan is to put the student on equal footing with the student’s non-disabled peers, whereas an IEP is for students for whom a level playing field is not the expected outcome. Thus, when a student on a 504 plan fails a course, the school should ask itself two questions: (1) are the accommodations in the plan appropriate and (2) were they adequately provided to the student? If the answers are both in the affirmative, the student is ineligible.

34. Does the rule apply to an ELL (English Language Learner) student who may have difficulty with school work because of lack of proficiency in English?

No. Much like a student with a section 504 accommodation plan, an ELL student is to be receiving services designed to make the student proficient in the English language, but in the meantime, the student may produce work to be graded in the student’s native language.

Miscellaneous

35. After the student has sat out her 30 calendar days of ineligibility is there a requirement that her grades be re-checked before she may compete?

No. Absent local policy to the contrary, students are immediately eligible again after serving their full period of ineligibility.

36. What does it mean that a student “receive credit” in at least four subjects?

Example 1: Troy is enrolled in only four subjects. One is physical education and his school does not award credit for P.E. Troy is not eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics until he is enrolled in and receives credit for four subjects.

Example 2: Troy is enrolled in only four subjects. All are courses for which credit is given, but Troy must pass all to remain eligible.

37. If a student audits a course (doesn’t receive a grade), how is the student affected by the rule?

This student is only affected if s/he otherwise does not receive credit in four other courses.

Example: Carol audits brain surgery and is enrolled in four other subjects. She gets no credit for brain surgery. To maintain eligibility, she must pass the other four subjects.

38. If a high school has a local policy that it will check grades every two weeks and impose five days’ ineligibility for not passing all courses at any checkpoint, if a student still has an “F” on the report card may the five days be subtracted from the 30?

No. Local policy may only impose a more stringent rule. This would make the state rule less stringent. Ideally, if a school checks grades often and provides appropriate interventions (and if the parents cooperate with the school), a student’s exposure to failing at the end of a grading period should be greatly reduced.

39. Does the scholarship rule just apply to varsity sports?

It applies to students who compete at any level.

40. Does the scholarship rule just apply to sports? What about speech, music, drill team, etc.?

The State Board of Education, which adopts all the rules in chapter 36, only has authority from the Iowa Legislature to adopt eligibility rules for students who compete in interscholastic athletics. (See Iowa Code section 280.13.) The IHSSA (speech – www.ihssa.org ) and IHSMA (music – www.ihsma.org ) set their own rules.

Competitive dance, drill teams, cheer squads, etc., are not “sports” sanctioned by either the IHSAA or the IGHSAU; therefore, local policy alone dictates the eligibility requirements of participants in those activities.

41. Could a local requirement that a student must have a 2.0 GPA override or supersede the state rule?

Under the old “pass 4” rule, a local school could have a more stringent rule that would supersede the state rule. A 2.0 GPA rule may not be more stringent in all cases, however. For instance, a 2.0 GPA could include 4 Bs and 1 F, which is not as stringent. But, 5 Ds is eligible under the state rule, but not under a 2.0 rule. Therefore, a local 2.0 requirement would have to work in combination with the state rule of “pass all.” A student must meet the stricter of the two rules to be eligible.

42. When does the ineligibility period of 30 calendar days start for a student who is not presently in a sport when the student receives an “F?”

The period of ineligibility starts with the first day on which competition is allowed, not the first day of practice and not the first date on which the student’s team has a competition.

43. When does the ineligibility period of 30 calendar days start for a student who is presently in a sport when the student receives an “F?”

The period of ineligibility begins with the first day of the next grading period. (See Example 2 regarding baseball/softball.) A school may choose to withhold the student from competition the day grades are issued or anytime before the first day of the next grading period, BUT this will not make the 30 calendar day ineligibility “clock” end early.

Example 1: Troy is a wrestler who does not pass all coursework at the end of first semester. Grades are issued January 10, a Friday. There is no school on Monday, January 13; second semester starts Tuesday, January 14. Troy’s period of ineligibility starts Tuesday, January 14, and ends at 12:01 a.m. on February 14, which is the 31^st calendar day. If there is a wrestling meet Saturday, January 11, and Troy’s school makes him ineligible for that meet, the period of ineligibility under the state rule still does not end until 12:01 a.m. on February 14.

Example 2: Rick is a baseball player who does not pass all coursework at the end of second semester. Obviously, the next grading period is not until the fall. Rick’s period of ineligibility starts the day after grades are issued. In Rick’s case, the school made final report cards available June 2; his period of ineligibility begins June 3.

44. If a fall sport student does not pass all coursework in the first grading period of a school year, but does not compete in any sports the rest of that school year and all next school year – and passes all coursework in all other grading periods – will the student be ineligible in his or her fall sport two years (or more later)?

No. The guidance here is that a student who has a full academic year in which the student did not fail any coursework is eligible. The “look back” period is one full academic year only.

Example 1: Rick, a cross-country runner who competes in nothing else, fails a course first semester. He passes all his courses second semester. If he goes out for cross country again the next year, he is ineligible for the first 30 consecutive calendar days of competition in cross country.

Example 2: Rick, a cross-country runner who competes in nothing else, fails a course first semester. He passes all of his courses second semester. He does not go out for any sports the next year, and he continues to pass all of his courses. If he goes out for cross country after taking a year off from the sport, he is immediately eligible.

45. Does the period of ineligibility include intrasquad scrimmages?

No. The period of ineligibility does not include an intrasquad scrimmage.

Example: Rick is a football player who does not pass all coursework at the end of second semester. For purposes of this example, assume the first day on which football competition is allowed is August 28 (check chart on last page for actual dates). Rick’s football team starts practice on August 11, has its “soap game” (intrasquad meet) on August 20, and has an interscholastic scrimmage with a neighboring school on August 31. Rick’s period of ineligibility starts August 28. He may play in the soap game per the state rule (local policy could dictate otherwise).

46. What is the penalty if a school allows an ineligible contestant to compete?

If a school permits or allows participation in any event by a person in violation of the eligibility rules, the penalties may include, but are not limited to, the following: forfeiture of contests or events or both, involving any ineligible student(s); adjustment or relinquishment of conference/district/tournament standings; and return of team awards or individual awards or both.

47. If a student’s 30^th day is on Friday, may the student participate on Friday night? What if the 30^th day is a Saturday and there is a competition that day? That night?

Ineligibility under this rule terminates at 12:01 a.m. on the 31^st calendar day, whether that day is or is not a school day. This interpretation is different from that given a transfer student who is sitting out 90 school days from varsity competition. The transfer student is eligible at the conclusion of the afternoon of the 90^th school day because all transfer students are impacted equally. The 90th day for transfer students is always a school day. However, because the period of ineligibility under the “pass all” rule is measured in calendar days, for some students the 30^th day is a school day and others not, it is necessary to wait until the next (31^st) calendar day before the student is eligible. Therefore, if the 30th day is a Friday, the student does NOT participate Friday night, but may participate the next day. If the 30th day is a Saturday, the student does NOT participate at any time that Saturday, but may participate the next day.

48. Appeals – what may be appealed and to whom?

Any ruling of ineligibility (except for good conduct rulings) made by the IHSAA or IGHSAU executive director may be appealed to the governing board of the IHSAA or IGHSAU. This will be rare because many, if not most, rulings may be appealed to the student’s local school board (and eventually to the State Board of Education per Iowa Code chapter 290).

Example 1: Rick receives an “F” in physics, but is sure that the grade is a mistake. He must appeal to his local school administrators and then to his local school board. Local administrators and board have authority to change a grade under any of the following circumstances:

a. The grade was the result and a clerical, mathematic, or mechanical mistake.

b. The grade was the result of incompetence by the teacher.

c. The grade was the result of bad faith on the part of the teacher.

d. The grade was the result of fraud on the part of the teacher.

Example 2: Carol fails French I, the successful completion of which is a prerequisite to taking French II. Her school allows her to enroll in French II, which she also fails. Her claim that she should not have been enrolled in French II must start with the local school, which may allow her to withdraw with no adverse consequences (assuming she received credit for four courses) if the school officials or board finds that Carol indeed should not have been enrolled in French II.

Example 3: Troy must sit out 30 calendar days in golf, but on day 15 he breaks his pitching wedge and his left ankle. His golf season is over. He goes out for cross country the next fall to strengthen the ankle and believes that he should not be ineligible for 15 calendar days for cross country because the broken ankle was outside of his control. He is not disputing any action taken by any school official. His appeal goes to the IHSAA for initial ruling, then to the IHSAA Board of Control, and finally to the Director of the Department of Education.

Starting Dates, 2010-11[1]

The first date listed after each sport is the first date on which competition is allowed (eligibility period starts). Eligibility resumes at 12:01 a.m. on the 31^st day.

IHSAA Sports 1^st competition date Eligibility resumes at 12:01 a.m. on THIS Date:

Fall Golf August 12 September 11

Cross Country August 23 September 22

Football August 26 September 25

Bowling November 22 December 22

Swimming November 23 December 23

Wrestling November 29 December 29

Basketball November 29 December 29

Track/Field March 14[2] April 13

Spring Golf March 30 April 29

Tennis March 30 April 29

Soccer March 31 April 30

Baseball May 23 June 22

IGHSAU Sports 1^st competition date Eligibility resumes at 12:01 a.m. on THIS Date:

Cross Country August 23 September 22

Swimming/Diving August 23 September 22

Volleyball August 23 September 22

Bowling November 22 December 22

Basketball November 19 December 19

Track/Field March 14[3] April 13

Golf March 23 April 22

Tennis March 23 April 22

Soccer April 4 May 4

Softball May 23 June 22