THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 19, 1996 TAG: 9609190348
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALETA PAYNE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 76 lines
The School Board may soon require students to perform in the classroom in order to play on the field or speak at the podium.
Board members have asked that information and recommendations be collected from the city's high school principals on possibly setting a minimum grade point average - a 2.0, or C, was discussed at Tuesday's board meeting - which would likely be phased in.
While some board members felt such a rule should apply to all extracurricular activities, others favored extending it to activities under the umbrella of the Virginia High School League only. The board did not take any action, and a report compiling the information is not expected back to them until November.
But board member Paul Lanteigne, who asked that the issue be put on the agenda, said he would like to establish such a rule as early as next semester. Lanteigne said he would be open to raising the minimum grade point average gradually ``as long as we have a goal and we can reach it in a reasonable period of time.''
At present, students participating in athletics and other VHSL activities such as forensics and debate must pass at least five classes to be eligible. However, they can pass all five classes with a D-.
Lanteigne said that when he became aware of that, ``I didn't think we should be the minimum.''
School officials surveyed some other divisions in the state to see what parameters they have put on participation in activities. Fairfax's policy, for instance, is no stricter than that of the VHSL, while in the city of Alexandria, students must maintain a 2.0 each grading period.
Locally, Suffolk and Portsmouth also have 2.0 minimums in place.
Board member H.L. ``Les'' Powell, who volunteers as a football coach at Kellam High School, likes the idea of raising the GPA for VHSL activities, which include sports, cheerleading, forensics and debate, and a one-act play drama competition..
``Some of the kids know that they can make a team with only just passing five subjects,'' Powell said. ``It's not really helping them academically.''
``The kids I know who are in activities will definitely try to get their grades up,'' he said.
Board member Tim Jackson wondered, however, if some students might end up being punished by such a rule even though their grades are good enough to graduate from high school.
While some others indicated they shared that concern, board member Rosemary Wilson said, ``There is a philosophy . . . if you can't do the curricular, how can you do the extracurricular?''
The board would have to approve any recommendation before a new rule could be put in place and, at this point, school officials are still collecting information.
Albert Williams, assistant superintendent for high school education, will put together a committee of principals, activity coordinators and coaches to look into the implications of such a policy and to consider how many students would be affected. Williams said he hopes to have a report with recommendations to the board in November.
The policy would have broader-reaching effects if all extracurricular activities were governed under the rule. Williams said his committee would focus on VHSL events. In Portsmouth and Suffolk, the rule extends to all extracurriculars.
Some students are pleased with the possibility that those who want to take part in extracurricular activities would have to clear a higher academic bar to qualify.
``I think it's a good idea,'' said Denise Barba, a senior at Salem High School who is on the yearbook staff. ``The whole idea of school is an education. If you're not getting an education, then why are you playing sports?''
Bailey Simon, a Salem 10th-grader, said, ``If somebody doesn't have good grades, then they don't have time to play a sport. They should be studying.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Rosemary Wilson, School Board member
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH SCHOOLS MINIMUM GPA by CNB