Administrative Regulation

AR 4127

Certificated Personnel

Athletic Team Coaches

Temporary Athletic Team Coaches

At the first regular Board of Education meeting or within 30 days after selection of a temporary athletic team coach, whichever is sooner, the Superintendent or designee shall certify to the Board that all temporary athletic team coaches meet the qualifications and competencies required by law. (5 CCR 5594)

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent or designee, the Board shall certify to the State Board of Education, by April 1 of each year, that the district conforms with state requirements governing the employment of temporary athletic team coaches. (5 CCR 5594)

Competencies

The Superintendent or designee shall determine whether a athletic team coach is knowledgeable and competent in the areas of: (5 CCR 5593)

1. Care and prevention of athletic injuries, basic sports injury first aid, and emergency procedures

The Superintendent or designee shall establish qualifications in this competency area as evidenced by one or more of the following:

a. Completion of a college-level course in the care and prevention of athletic injuries and possession of a valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) card

b. A valid sports injury certificate or first aid card, and a valid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) card

c. A valid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) I or II card

d. A valid trainer's certification issued by the National or California Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA/CATA)

e. Practical experience under the supervision of an athletic coach or trainer or experience assisting in team athletic training and conditioning and both valid CPR and first aid cards

2. Coaching techniques

The Superintendent or designee shall establish qualifications in coaching theory and techniques in the sport or game being coached as evidenced by one or more of the following:

a. Completion of a college course in coaching theory and techniques

b. Completion of inservice programs arranged by a school district or county office of education

c. Prior service as a student coach or assistant athletic coach in the sport or game being coached

d. Prior coaching in community youth athletic programs in the sport being coached

e. Prior participation in organized competitive athletics at high school level or above in the sport being coached

3. Rules and regulations in the athletic activity being coached

The Superintendent or designee shall establish knowledge of the rules and regulations pertaining to the sport or game being coached, the league rules and, at the high school level, regulations of the California Interscholastic Federation.

4. Child or adolescent psychology, whichever is appropriate to the grade level of the involved activity

The Superintendent or designee shall establish competency in knowledge of child or adolescent psychology as it relates to sport participation as evidenced by one or more of the following:

a. Completion of a college-level course in child psychology for elementary school positions and adolescent or sports psychology for secondary school positions

b. Completion of a seminar or workshop on human growth and development of youth

c. Prior active involvement with youth in school or community sports program

The Superintendent or designee may waive competency requirements for persons enrolled in appropriate training courses leading to acquisition of the competency, provided such persons serve under the direct supervision of a fully qualified coach until the competencies are met. (5 CCR 5593)

Additional Competencies for Noncertificated Personnel

In addition to the competencies listed above, the Superintendent or designee shall determine that a noncertificated person employed as a temporary athletic team coach: (5 CCR 5592)

1. Has not been convicted of any offense referred to in Education Code 44010, 44011 or 44424, or any offense involving moral turpitude or evidencing unfitness to associate with children.

(cf. 4212.5 - Criminal Record Check)

2. Is free from tuberculosis and any other contagious disease that would prohibit certificated teachers from teaching, as verified by a written statement, renewable every four years, from a licensed physician or other person approved by the district.

(cf. 4112.4/4212.4/4312.4 - Health Examinations)

Noncertificated coaches have no authority to give grades to students. (5 CCR 5591)

Code of Ethical Conduct

Employees providing supervisory or instructional services in interscholastic athletic programs and activities shall: (5 CCR 5596)

1. Show respect for players, officials and other coaches

2. Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials

3. Establish and model fair play, sportsmanship and proper conduct

4. Establish player safety and welfare as the highest priority

5. Provide proper supervision of students at all times

6. Use discretion when providing constructive criticism and when reprimanding players

7. Maintain consistency in requiring all players to adhere to the established rules and standards of the game

8. Properly instruct players in the safe use of equipment

9. Avoid exerting undue influence on a student's decision to enroll in an athletic program at any public or private postsecondary educational institution

10. Avoid exerting undue influence on students to take lighter academic course(s) in order to be eligible to participate in athletics

11. Avoid suggesting, providing or encouraging any athlete to use nonprescriptive drugs, anabolic steroids or any substance to increase physical development or performance that is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Surgeon General or the American Medical Association

12. Avoid recruitment of athletes from other schools

13. Follow the rules of behavior and the procedures for crowd control as established by the Board and the league in which the district participates

Regulation PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

approved: February 8, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California