Mexico High School Academic Grade Policy for MSHSAA Sponsored Activities There are three major points to the academic requirement for athletes and students involved in MSHSAA activities: (1) To serve as a guide to help students meet the minimum academic requirements for participation in activities at Mexico Schools. (2) To reinforce the belief that all students can be successful in their studies at Mexico Schools. (3) To reinforce the expectation of a minimum level of academic competence expected at Mexico Schools. The program will be implemented as follows: A. Each student involved in any extra-curricular activity would have their initial eligibility determined by MSHSAA standards at the beginning of each season. B. Each student would have his/her grades checked each time a grade report is officially generated (i.e. progress, and quarter). Eligibility will be determined each time. Semester averages will not be used for calculating eligibility. C. Any student passing all of his/her classes will maintain eligibility. D. Any student failing one or more class(es) will be assigned a probationary period (i.e. seven calendar days) during which time they will maintain eligibility if they comply with the following: 1. The student will attend a mandatory study hall every school day during the probationary period. Study hall will be offered before and/or after school for 40 minute periods (exact times TBD). Study hall will be offered after school on Monday-Thursday and before school on Monday-Friday. Students must attend one study hall on each school day of the probationary period. 2. Students will report to practice immediately after the mandatory study hall if practice is in session when study hall is dismissed. 3. The student is responsible for meeting with teacher(s) of failing class(es) to get any required work and/or specific content skills needed in order to raise the grade to a passing level 4. Study hall is a consequence of the F grade. Student will attend study hall for the full five days of the probationary period (seven calendar days) regardless of when grade is raised to passing level. E. At the end of the probationary period (seven calendar days), grades will be re-checked. If a student is passing all classes, full eligibility will be restored. F. If at the end of the probationary period (seven calendar days) the student still has a failing grade, they would lose eligibility to participate in any MSHSAA sanctioned competitions, performances, field trips, etc., for the next seven-day period. Grades will be monitored at this point on a weekly basis and student will remain ineligible for MSHSAA competition until passing all classes. Student will still be expected to attend practice and continue to attend mandatory study hall. G. Once a student is placed on academic probation initially, they are added to a watch list and their grades will be checked weekly. Students on the watch list will be subject to a probationary period anytime their current class grade falls to an F. H. If a student fails to attend the five days mandatory study hall for any other reason than being absent from school with a properly documented excuse, they automatically incur a subsequent seven calendar day probationary period (and are deemed ineligible for competition). I. Any student who incurs a 4th probationary period during the school year will be required to participate in an Academic Reinstatement Conference prior to regaining full eligibility. At a minimum, this conference will include the student, parent(s)/guardian, teacher(s) of failing class(es), counselor, administrator and coach/sponsor. The purpose of this conference is to uncover all underlying reasons for repeated failing grades and to construct and implement a plan to address those reasons and raise all failing grades to a passing standard. J. During the first year of this policy (2010-2011), no student will be made permanently in- eligible for participation. Students will always continue to attend practice after the study hall period and may re-gain eligibility once grades are passing and they have attended the mandatory study halls. However, sport coaches and activity sponsors maintain the authority to impose higher standards for academic achievement and also retain the authority to remove a student from the team/activity for repeated violations of team rules or this academic policy. In addition, all rules and consequences for inappropriate behavior remain in place and students may be removed from team/activity for inappropriate behavior. K. This MHS policy will be evaluated and if necessary, revised during the spring of the 2010- 2011 school year. L. MSHSAA sponsored activities at MHS include all sports, sideline cheerleading, band/choir district and state competition, speech/debate and quiz bowl competitions. Regular band/chorus concerts and performances are not included in this policy. M. A review panel will be established to consider unusual situations that arise during the year. The panel will consist of an administrator, a coach/sponsor not directly involved with the situation/student and the student's guidance counselor. This panel will review the situation, consult with the assistant superintendent and make a final determination. N. District will provide compensation for staff members to implement the academic study hall time before and/or after school. O. It is expected that all teachers will have grades entered into the grade book program in a timely manner.. P. Coaches are encouraged to monitor grades on a regular basis.