Cecil County Public Schools Policies
Book:
Cecil County Public Schools Policies
Section:
I - Instruction
Title:
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
Number:
IGDJAA
Status:
Active
Legal:
COMAR, 13A.06.03.02
Adopted:
12/09/1996
Last Revised:
08/07/2006
Last Reviewed:
12/01/2009
Policy Detail
R
ELATED
E
NTRIES:
IGDJA, IGDJA-EA, IKAJ
O
FFICE:
S
UPERINTENDENT OF
S
CHOOLS
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
The Cecil County Interscholastic Athletics Program is an integral part of the educational process. The athletic program eligibility rules required for all students who wish to participate support the academic function of the Cecil County Public Schools by encouraging all students to reach their academic as well as athletic potential.
A. A student may not participate in more than one interscholastic sport per sport season.
B. Students in grade 12 shall not participate on junior varsity teams. Wrestling is an exception to this rule.
Students in grades 9, 10, and 11 may participate on either junior varsity or varsity teams.
C. Students must be in school a full day as defined by the county attendance policy in order to participate in practice or a scheduled interscholastic event on that day. With prior approval, the principal may grant an exception to the full day regulation for good cause for any student. For the purpose of establishing daily attendance eligibility for interscholastic athletic participation, students coming to school later than one and one half (1 1/2) hours following the beginning of the school day are to be entered in the attendance record as being absent one half day. Students leaving school one and one half (1 1/2) hours before the end of school are to be entered in the register as being absent one half day.
D. The annual Report Card Calendar designates dates and times for the electronic entry of grades and the issuance of report cards. A student who receives one (1) or more failing grade(s) shall be ineligible to participate until grades are entered electronically the following marking period at the designated deadline.
NOTE: A student will be eligible to begin practice after the deadline for electronic grade entry and able to participate following ten (10) calendar days of practice and the issuance of report cards.
The status of eligibility will take effect the next school day following the deadline for electronic grade entry for report cards and interim progress reports.
1. At the beginning of each school year all students who are entering the ninth grade for the first time shall be eligible for participation regardless of the grades received at the end of the previous school year. However, at the designated time (county adopted school calendar) for issuance of interim reports for the first marking period, the principal or the principal’s designee of each school shall review the grades of students who have entered 9th grade for the first time who are participating in the fall sports program. A student who receives two (2) or more failing grades on the interim report shall be ineligible to participate until grades are issued at the end of the marking period.
NOTE: (1) The student becomes ineligible the next school day following the date of issuance of interim reports (fall season).
2. At the beginning of each school year, all students entering grades 10, 11, and 12 shall have the status of eligibility determined by the final grades received at the end of the previous year. Any student who receives one (1) or more failing grade(s) (final grades) at the end of the previous year shall be ineligible for participation until grades are issued at the end of the first marking period of the following year (i.e., final 1999-2000 school year grades determine fall 2000 eligibility).
NOTE: If a student participates in an approved or alternative education program (i.e., summer school, or Cecil County High School) and receives a passing grade in the same subject(s) failed, the status of eligibility will be reinstated.
SPECIAL NOTES:
1. The grades that are reviewed for the purpose of establishing eligibility for participation in interscholastic sports program will be:
A. Full Year Course
1) Fall interim report (9th grade students only)
2) Marking Period - 1st, 2nd, 3rd (all students)
3) Final Grade (all students)
B. Semester Course - 1st Semester
1) Fall interim report (9th grade students only)
2) Marking Period - 1st (all students)
3) Final Grade (all students)
C. Semester Course - 2nd Semester
1) Marking Period - 3rd (all students)
2) Final Grade (all students)
D. 9-Week Course (Credit or Non-Credit)
1) Fall interim report (9th grade students only)
2) End of any Marking Period - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th (all students)
2. WE- Withdrawal Failing
If a student withdraws from a class and receives a WE, the application of the WE will be applied to the marking period as indicated below:
Semester Courses
1st Semester:
Time Frame of Withdrawal
Period of Ineligibility
1st Interim to End of 1st 2nd Marking Period
Marking Period
2nd Marking Period 3rd Marking Period
2nd Semester:
3rd Interim to End of 3rd 4th Marking Period
Marking Period
4th Marking Period 1st Marking Period
(Next School Year)
Full Year Courses:
2nd Marking Period 3rd Marking Period
3rd Marking Period 4th Marking Period
4th Marking Period 1st Marking Period
(Next School Year)
NOTE: (1) If a student participates in an approved or alternative education program (i.e., summer school, or Cecil County High School) and receives a passing grade in the same subject(s) failed, the status of eligibility will be restored. (2) Current school year final grades will be used to determine the subsequent school years fall eligibility; e.g., school year 1999-2000 final grades will be used to determine 2000 fall eligibility.
3. Incomplete
a. An Incomplete can be given for work which is legitimately incomplete. This must be changed to an appropriate letter grade within a time period mutually agreeable with the student, parent, teacher and principal. The application of an Incomplete being issued shall be considered a non-grade until the grade is determined. If the grade of E is issued, the status of ineligibility will be applied and take effect the next school day.
b. An Incomplete can be given for any course for the marking period in which that course would terminate, and for a final average if a student has ceased to meet the normal requirements for the course being taken. Any student who stops doing assignments made for in-class and out-of-class work or fails to actively participate in class activities will be considered to have failed to meet the minimum requirements for the course involved in will be given an “I” (Incomplete).
As soon as this type of behavior is noted, the teacher is obligated to
immediately
notify the principal so appropriate action can be taken. The student, the student’s parent/guardian, and the student’s counselor must be advised of the possibility of the student receiving an Incomplete. Parents are to be notified of this possibility in writing. The student is to be removed from all interscholastic athletics
(
extra-curricular activitie
s
)
during this period. The counselor will follow-up with the student and the teacher one week after parent notification. The principal must concur before an Incomplete of this type can be placed on a pupil’s report card. The only way in which an Incomplete of this type can be removed is through a review credit course at an approved summer school program or by successfully repeating the course during the regular school year.
c. Any student who fails to take the final examination in a course as prescribed by county policy will be considered to have failed to meet the minimum requirements of the course involved and will be given an Incomplete for the examination grade and the final course grade. The principal must concur before an Incomplete of this type can be placed on a pupil’s report card. The only way in which an Incomplete of this type can be removed is through a review credit course at an approved summer school program or by successfully repeating the course during the regular school year.
E. Athletic Directors of all schools shall forward eligibility lists to the Coordinator of Interscholastic Athletics prior to the first contest in each sport. Athletic contests may not be held in a sport unless the eligibility lists have been properly submitted.
Changes or additions after first play date should be forwarded to the Coordinator’s office after review and signature of Athletic Director and Principal.
The standard eligibility form supplied by the Board of Education shall be used in reporting eligibility.
F. The eligibility status of students transferring within the public high schools of Cecil County will be maintained provided that the transfer has followed the guidelines, procedures and policies of the Cecil County Public Schools.
G. The eligibility status of a student transferring from a public or private high school outside of Cecil County will be determined by application of the Cecil County rules of eligibility to the grades of the incoming student. Questions rising from the inability of the principal to match grades in a consistent fashion will be referred to Director of Student Services. For final determination of eligibility status of the student.
H. The eligibility status of a student who withdraws from school then re-enters the same school year, shall be determined by the student's grades at the time of withdrawal.
The eligibility status of a student who withdraws from school then re-enters during any succeeding school year, shall be determined by the student’s grades at the time of withdrawal the previous school year.
I. A student who is suspended shall be ineligible for participation (practice or contest) during the time of suspension.
J. A student who is expelled will receive failing grades in all subjects. However, he/she may regain eligibility be earning 2 full credits at the Cecil County High School, Cecil County Summer School or any other approved secondary school.
K. A student shall present to the principal or principal’s designee a certificate from his/her parents or guardian giving permission for participation. (Current form being used will fulfill this requirement.)
L. A student shall be examined and certified to the principal or principal’s designee as being physically fit to participate in any try-out, practice or contest of a school team. The examination shall be performed by a licensed physician, certified physician’s assistant under the supervision of a licensed physician, or certified nurse practitioner. Physicals must be obtained during the school year (June 1 to June 1) in which the athlete is seeking eligibility.
M. A student participating in athletics shall have accident insurance coverage before being permitted to participate (try-out or play) in any games. Insurance waiver forms are supplied by the Board of Education.
N. A student participating in athletics shall have on file with the appropriate coach an emergency medical card that must be carried to all scrimmages and/or contests. See Sample. Any student under a physician’s care may not practice or play in any contest until a release is obtained from the physician.
O. If an athlete is injured in a practice or contest, the athletic trainers will have the final decision concerning further participation in the practice or contest after evaluating the extent of the injury.
P. A coach may have more stringent rules relevant to county regulations and procedures with the approval of the school principal.
Q. Violations - any school found in violation of the eligibility rules shall forfeit all games that apply to the violation.
