Administrative Regulation

AR 6145

Instruction

Extracurricular And Cocurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are those programs that have all of the following characteristics: (Education Code 35160.5)

1. The program is supervised or financed by the school district

2. Students participating in the program represent the school district

3. Students exercise some degree of freedom in either the selection, planning or control of the program

4. The program includes both preparation for performance and performance before an audience or spectators

Extracurricular activities are not part of the regular school curriculum, are not graded, do not offer credit and do not take place during classroom time. (Education Code 35160.5)

Cocurricular activities are programs that may be associated with the curriculum in a regular classroom. (Education Code 35160.5)

Any teacher-graded or required program or activity for a course which satisfies the entrance requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California is not an extracurricular or cocurricular activity for purposes of this policy. (Education Code 35160.5)

The grade point average used to determine eligibility shall be based on grades of the previous grading period during which the student attended class at least a majority of the time. (Education Code 35160.5)

In the event a student finds that he/she is academically ineligible to participate in extra/cocurricular activities in the first grading period of the upcoming year, he/she may request that the total spring and summer school grades be used to determine eligibility for the first grading period of the upcoming school year.

When students are simultaneously enrolled in college classes for which they receive credit toward high school graduation, their college grades shall be included in the computation of their grade point average.

Receiving an Incomplete shall have no effect on a student's academic eligibility as long as the resolution of the Incomplete would not lower his/her grade point average below 2.0. If the resolution of an Incomplete could lower the student's grade point average to below 2.0, the student shall be considered ineligible until the Incomplete is removed and the grade point average determined.

Probationary Period

Probation of one semester or less may be authorized by the Superintendent or designee.

Students granted probationary eligibility must meet the required standards by the end of the probationary period in order to remain eligible for participation.

The principal or designee shall provide written notice to both the student and parent/guardian when a student is ineligible or placed on probation. He/she shall also consult with the student's teachers and suggest a program of remediation to improve the student's academic progress.

General

1. Students may lose or regain eligibility on the basis of quarter and semester marking periods.

2. Teachers shall place students on notice for failing or below average performance through the issuance of an interim report, usually during the fin week of the grading period or at any time the is in danger of failing the course or receiving an unsatisfactory grade in citizenship. (Education Code 49067)

3. A probationary period of one quarter shall be in effect at each school.

4. The requirements contained in this administrative regulation and accompanying Board Policy shall supplement those eligibility requirements imposed by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)-Southern Section for CIF-sanctioned athletic contests.

Implementation Responsibilities

1. The Superintendent or designee shall:

a. Reinforce the consistent and uniform application of district grading practices.

b. Reinforce existing policy and regulation requiring regularly assigned student homework, based upon instruction provided during the class itself.

c. Provide and facilitate, as appropriate, staff development training to facilitate the effective and equitable implementation of the policy.

d. Continue to encourage programs to provide recognition and other positive Incentives /rewards for student academic achievement, good citizenship and good attendance.

e. Emphasize the importance of a systematic approach to reducing student absenteeism in all schools.

f. Assess the implementation of the new policy on a districtwide and school-by-school basis.

g. Reaffirm the district's commitment to the goal of improving student achievement and to the continuing successful operation of extracurricular and cocurricular activity programs.

2. It shall be the responsibility of each principal and school staff to:

a. Implement uniform marking practices and systematic homework assignments.

b. Provide for effective and timely oral and written communication with all students and parents/guardians.

c. Implement a process which facilitates parent/guardian, teacher and student communication regarding individual student performance and achievement.

d. Make available to students and parents/guardians materials which will help in interpreting the standards used for assigning grades in classes.

e. Provide notification to the parent/guardian when a student shows signs of significant decline in effort or achievement and encourage parental follow-up and involvement.

f. Review existing programs that might provide, within available resources, necessary assistance to students in improving achievement and effort.

g. Facilitate the articulation of students and transfer of student records between schools and school levels.

3. In assuming responsibilities for helping their children succeed in satisfying the requirements on extracurricular and cocurricular participation, parents/guardians shall:

a. Encourage the regular and punctual attendance of the student, except in cases of actual illness.

b. Maintain regular communication with the school concerning the progress of the student, including the review/ signing/return of interim reports and grade reports, and participate in follow-up conferences, as necessary and desirable.

c. Help assure that the student completes assigned homework.

d. Discuss with the student the requirements and implications of the participation policy and reinforce realistic expectations of student effort and achievement.

4. Students have a primary responsibility for their own success in achievement and adjustment in school. In helping to ensure this success and continued opportunity to participate in extracurricular and cocurricular activities, students shall:

a. Know what the policy requires and where they stand at all times in terms of eligibility.

b. Attend classes on a regular and punctual basis and complete in a timely fashion all makeup assignments which may be missed due to necessary absence.

c. Understand the specific course requirements and the criteria for marking practices in each class.

d. Complete any assigned homework. e. Take home for review by the parents/guardians all interim reports, report cards and other communications from the school and return promptly to the school those forms requiring parent/guardian signature.

f. Discuss regularly with their parents/guardians their progress in school classes as well as their eligibility status.

g. Schedule their time in such a way as to maintain success in classwork as well as the activities in which they participate.

h. Request assistance from the classroom teacher on classroom work whenever necessary.

i. Take advantage of available assistance which the school/teacher may provide for students.

Activities Covered by Policy

Participation requirements shall apply to all school or district-sponsored extracurricular and cocurricular activities, including but not limited to the following:

1. Athletics, all levels and teams.

2. Drill Team.

3. Pep squad, including cheerleaders, songleaders, majorettes, flag groups, etc.

4. Dance groups.

5. Vocal and instrumental music performing groups.

6. Drama groups, including all groups which stage performances.

7. Speech groups which compete, including forensics.

8. Student government groups, including Student Council.

9. Academic teams, including Model United Nations and Academic Decathlon.

10. School publication groups, as designated by the principal.

11. Specified clubs, as designated by the principal.

Status of Ineligible Students

When a student becomes ineligible, his/her status is affected as follows:

1. Cocurricular activities connected with a course offering (except Leadership class)--Continue as a member of the class in order to earn a grade and credit but forfeiture of any performance or competition rights.

2. Elected Office- -Immediate removal from elected office continue, as a member of student council. Ineligible students or students on probation may not file as a candidate or be selected for a student council position.

3. Clubs---Continue as a member of the club, but exclusion from participation in any club activity which involves representation of the school at a performance or competition.

4. Athletics- -Continued participation in class, practice and workout sessions, but forfeiture of all game/contest participation and competition rights.

5. All other activities- -Forfeiture of participation rights as they specifically relate to performance or competition activities.

Grade Designations

1. The grades on which the regulation and accompanying policy are based shall be in strict accordance with the grading designations outlined.

2. A mark of "Incomplete" ("Inc.") is considered to be an incomplete until the required course work is completed and a final grade for the marking period in question is issued by the teacher.

3. Upon the filing of a written request by the student and/or parent/guardian, courses taken during the previous summer session may be added to the grades received for the spring semester, thus allowing a combined GPA (based on spring semester and summer session work) to determine eligibility.

4. The classroom teacher shall determine the grade given to each student in the class, and the determination of the student's grade by the teacher, in the absence of clerical or mechanical mistake, fraud, bad faith or incompetency, shall be final (Education Code 49066); in addition, any determination as to whether mistake, fraud, bad faith or incompetency exists in relation to an achievement mark shall be made by the principal.

Transfers from Continuation High School or Independent Study Programs

A student transferring to the conventional high school from Rancho del Mar, another continuation high school program or a high school independent study program shall be immediately declared eligible, providing that he/she has satisfied the criteria applicable to all other students, based on at least 20 credits of approved work during the immediately preceding semester grading period.

Students on Disciplinary Suspension/Expulsion

Students on disciplinary suspension/expulsion shall not be permitted to practice, rehearse, travel or otherwise participate or compete in any district/ school-sponsored extracurricular athletic or cocurricular event or performance.

Student Eligibility Lists/Notification

1. At the conclusion of each grading period (total of four times per year), the Counseling Office will compile, and submit to each principal, a listing of all students in the school whose GPA is below 2.0 for the Immediately preceding grading period. This list will be delivered to the principal no later than the week immediately following the conclusion of the grading period.

2. The time frame spelled out above shall be followed by the Counseling Office in producing a citizenship ineligibility list

3. It shall be the principal's responsibility to ensure that each student and his/her parent/guardian are immediately notified in writing of any ineligibility or probationary status.

Classload Requirements

Students eligible and participating in extracurricular and cocurricular activities shall conform to the classload requirements imposed by the state and district

Effective Date

The date of issuance of grade reports shall be used as the effective date for purposes of determining student eligibility.

Regulation PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

approved: May 24, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California