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ATTENTION ALL COACHES: IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON
ALLOWING FOUR CREDITS FOR FOUR YEARS OF ATHLETICS UNDER THE 4x4 PLAN.
The State Board of Education (SBOE) has initially approved a
petition to allow students enrolled in the Texas public schools to apply for
FOUR credits, instead of the maximum of two, towards graduation by
taking athletic related courses. If approved by SBOE, these would be
state credits and not local credits as allowed presently.
Craig Agnew, an assistant coach from Brenham did an excellent
job of presenting this concept to the SBOE at their March meeting
during public testimony. The petition passed SBOE, 13-2. It now must be
reviewed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). It will be brought back
to the SBOE at the September 18-19 meeting. It is important, prior to
the meeting in September, for the SBOE elected officials to be informed
of the overwhelming support of allowing four credits for participation
in athletics during a student’s four years of high school. You, along
with all supporters of athletics, need to contact your elected
representative on the SBOE by e-mail, telephone, or letter expressing
your feelings toward the issue of allowing four credits for athletics
under the new 4 x 4 plan. To find your State Board of Education elected
representative go to: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/sboe/members.html
MAJOR
BULLET POINTS:
·
Compared to all
other electives, high school athletics is the only elective that receives
just two credits for four years of participation. Athletics do not
receive elective credit for their junior and senior years of athletics.
·
A freshman
desiring to graduate in the Distinguished Plan and participate in
athletics all four years of high school does not have enough electives
in the schedule to take dual credit classes during their junior and
senior year.
·
In 2011, with the
new 4 x 4 requirements, it will take 26 credits to graduate. Under the
current guideline, four years of athletics will count for only two of
those credits (Band, JROTC and Dance can receive up to two physical
education credits and two fine arts credits for a total of four
credits.)
·
The At-Risk
student will be adversely affected if they have to retake classes
because of failing grades with the new 4 x 4 requirements and 26 credit
graduation requirements.
·
Electives are an
essential part of the educational process and should be treated with
equal merit. Four years of an elective should result in four years of
state credit for that elective.
·
Electives are an
essential part of the educational process and should be treated with
equal merit. Four years of an elective should result in four years of
state credit for that elective.
Please help preserve
the athletic period by making contact with your SBOE representative and
express your view on athletics being allowed to count as a four credit
elective on the 4 x 4 distinguished graduation plan.
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