THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 19, 1997 TAG: 9702190395
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALETA PAYNE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 72 lines
Middle and high school students who want to compete for their schools will have to meet a higher standard beginning next fall.
The School Board voted 10-1 Tuesday night to phase in a 2.0 minimum GPA - a C average - for participants in interscholastic activities.
It was a stronger measure than anticipated, reaching to younger students and including some activities not governed by the Virginia High School League.
``Athletics are an important part of our program, but not the primary focus,'' board member Neil Rose said in introducing the measure.
Under the policy adopted by the board Tuesday, middle and high school students participating in interscholastic activities - including such activities as chorus and band - must have a 1.5 GPA for fall 1997.
In spring 1998, the minimum will increase to a 2.0. Students must meet these minimums each semester; they cannot rely on a cumulative average.
Each student would be allowed one probationary semester in middle school and one in high school.
In addition, Superintendent Timothy R. Jenney has said that an academic plan will be put in place to help support students who struggle with the minimum. That plan will be ready for the fall.
Statistics collected by the division show that athletes in general had a higher GPA last semester than the student population as a whole.
About 200 students at the high school level would have been affected by the new policy had it been in place for the past semester.
However, board member Tim Jackson and Chairman Robert Hagans expressed concern that young black men would be disproportionately affected by the policy.
According to the data collected by the division, 37 percent of the athletes affected by the new rule would be young black men. While the division as a whole is about 18 percent black, it was not clear what percentage of athletes are black.
``One number that stood out to me that was extremely peculiar was the number of black males that weren't succeeding with a 2.0,'' Jackson said.
While Jackson said he supported high standards, he added, ``We certainly do not want to create an environment that will push more of our students out into the streets.''
After some discussion, Jenney assured the board that the administration would come up with a plan to provide support for those who need help meeting the minimal requirement.
Hagans, however, voted against the measure. He said he was very concerned about students ending up on the street and in trouble.
Hagans said that for some kids, ``If they had a 1.8 average, that would be an accomplishment for them.''
The policy also requires that students meet current Virginia High School League requirements - which mandate that students take and pass five classes to participate in league activities. The league governs athletics, forensics, debate and some other activities.
Now, under league rules, a student could have a D-minus average but continue to participate in activities.
Locally, Portsmouth and Suffolk have begun requiring a 2.0 minimum GPA for participation in all extra-curricular activities. And the state PTA passed a resolution in November that encouraged school boards to require a 2.0 for participation in interscholastic activities.
Most Beach student-athletes would not have a problem making the grade. About 80 percent of all athletes had a 2.0 or better for the past school year, according to statistics put together by school officials. However, 40 percent of football players and 44 percent of male basketball players had less than a 2.0.
A school division survey of those involved in fall sports found that almost 60 percent of coaches and about 65 percent of parents supported requiring all C's, while less than 40 percent of students who responded favored the suggested minimum.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH SCHOOL BOARD