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Board Policies 5000 - Students
Board Policy 5122 - Interscholastic and Extracurricular Activities

Board Policy 5122 - Interscholastic and Extracurricular Activities

I.  POLICY STATEMENT

  1. The Board of Education (Board) recognizes that interscholastic athletics can play an important role in promoting the academic success of students. They instill a sense of pride in school and community, teach lifelong lessons and skills of teamwork and self-discipline and facilitate the physical and emotional development of our youth. The Board recognizes that student participation in athletics is not only a privilege but is also an honor that requires responsibility for maintaining one’s academic standing in the classroom and for maintaining a high standard of conduct.
  2. The Board is also committed to ensuring that all Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) students have equitable access to educational programs and school-related activities. The Board believes that access to, and participation in, extracurricular activities engage students’ interest and ability and is an important part of students’ overall educational experience.

II.  PURPOSE 

The purpose of this policy is to delineate systemwide academic eligibility guidelines for students who participate in interscholastic athletics and to establish guidelines for developing strategies to encourage students to participate in extracurricular activities.

III.  DEFINITIONS

  1. Extracurricular Activities – Approved before or after school activities that are for academic enrichment or promote service to the community, excluding interscholastic athletics.
  2. Interscholastic Athletics - Approved athletic competition between or among two or more middle or high schools.
  3. Participate/Participation - For purposes of this policy, participation in interscholastic athletics includes taking part in official team practices, playing in official games, attending games along with the team members, and wearing the team uniform.

IV.  STANDARDS 

  1. Interscholastic Athletics Academic Eligibility
    1. The curriculum content for high school students participating in interscholastic athletics must be in accordance with the minimum Maryland high school requirements for graduation.
    2. Middle and high school students must earn an overall quarter Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in order to participate in interscholastic athletics.
    3. Students matriculating to the 9th grade for the first time are exempt from the high school interscholastic athletics eligibility requirements until the first grading period.
    4. Except for students entering ninth grade for the first time, there will be no waivers of the minimum 2.0 GPA academic requirement to participate in interscholastic athletics.
    5. Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan shall be provided with an opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics equal to students without an IEP or 504 Plan.
  2. Extracurricular Activities
    1. It is the expectation of the Board that every school provides its students with the opportunity for participation in a diverse range of extracurricular activities.
    2. The principal/designee will provide and communicate opportunities for all students to participate in extracurricular activities by ensuring that there is a total program of extracurricular activities in the school that is comprehensive and well-balanced, providing many and varied opportunities for all students.
    3. All students may participate in extracurricular activities regardless of academic standing.
    4. All students may participate in extracurricular activities regardless of race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age.

V.  IMPLEMENTATION RESPONSIBILITIES 

  1. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will develop an administrative procedure to implement this policy.
  2. The CEO shall report annually to the Board the number of students participating in interscholastic athletics and the number of students who were declared academically ineligible and therefore prohibited from participating in interscholastic athletics.

VI.  REFERENCES 

  1. Legal
    §§ 7-4B-01, et seq., Education Article, MD CODE ANN.
    COMAR 13A.06.03.01&02&04
  2. Other Board Policies
    Board Policy 0104 – Title IX
    Board Policy 0125 – Nondiscrimination

VII. HISTORY 

Policy Adopted 4/26/84

Policy Amended 5/8/86

Policy Amended 10/3/91

Policy Reviewed – No Revision Required 4/1/99

Policy Amended 7/1/03

Policy Reviewed – No Revision Required 3/16/05

Policy Amended 9/28/06

Policy Amended 10/27/11

Policy Amended 10/28/21

Policy Amended 5/11/23

About This Policy

Updated May 11, 2023

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