Richland County School District One

"C" Average Policy (IDE, -R)
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated on November 10, 2005

Connecting Student Curricular Performance With Co-Curricular Participation

1. Question:	What is the "C" Average Policy and to which students does the policy apply?
Answer:	The "C" Average Policy (adopted January, 2000 and revised in June, 2000) requires that as a condition for participation in competitive co-curricular activities, students in grades 6-12 have a 2.00 Grade Point Average (GPA/77) in all courses in which the student was enrolled in the preceding semester.

2. Question:	Why does our District have a "C" Average Policy when some other districts do not?
Answer:	State educational accountability law has raised the academic requirements for students (PACT, HSAP, End-of-Course Exams, etc.). RCSD1's Board of School Commissioners voted (after a series of community forums) to also raise requirements for some students. The message conveyed is that if a student wants to represent his/her school in certain types of activities, they would first have to meet the academic standard (2.00 GPA/77 grade average). Some S.C. school districts do have some form of a "C" Average Policy.

3. Question:	What are competitive co-curricular activities?
Answer:	These are school-sponsored activities between or among schools that result in the presentation of a rating, trophy or award. Examples include inter-scholastic sports, debate, step competitions, cheerleading competitions, etc. Visual and performing arts students participating in graded experiences outside of class are not included in this policy.

4. Question:	Can a student who is ineligible at the beginning of a semester become eligible during some point in the semester?
Answer:	No. A student who is ineligible at the end of a semester will remain ineligible for participation for the entire next semester until s/he meets both District and South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) requirements. Even if a student has improved grades during the ineligible semester, s/he must still wait until the next semester to participate.

5. Question:	Does the policy give any special consideration for rising 6th and 9th graders during their transition from elementary to middle and from middle to high school?
Answer:	Yes. All students entering the 6th and 9th grades will be allowed to participate in competitive co-curricular activities and given one semester to obtain the required 2.00 GPA/77 grade average. Students must still meet SCHSL requirements. According to the SCHSL, sixth-graders can't participate in interscholastic sports.

6. Question:	How does the policy affect out-of-district transfer students?
Answer:	Out-of-district transfer students with a GPA less that 2.00, but eligible according to SCHSL policy, will be eligible to participate on probation for one semester. Thereafter, s/he must meet the District's 2.00 GPA/ grade average eligibility requirement.

7. Question:	What about special education students?
Answer:	Special education students being served in a non-diploma program are eligible to participate if they are successfully meeting the requirements of their IEP. Diploma program special education students must have a 2.00 GPA/77 grade average.

8. Question:	What type of academic assistance is available for students who are in danger of falling below the 2.00 GPA?
Answer:	Each middle and high school has an after-school tutorial program available to all students. The program is mandatory for those students who participate in competitive co-curricular activities and who are in danger of falling below the 2.00 GPA/77 grade average. Interim reports, report card grades, teacher/sponsor recommendations and coaching staff requirements are used to determine the pool of students required to attend the after-school tutorial program.

9. Question:	Can a student use summer school grades to help with eligibility?
Answer:	Yes. For high school students, a maximum of two credits earned in a State Department of Education (SDE) approved summer school may apply towards first semester eligibility. For middle school students, a maximum of two grades earned in a SDE-approved summer school may be used.

10. Question:	Can an ineligible student practice with a team/group?
Answer:	No. The District translates "participation" to mean practicing with a team/group, dressing or playing in competition.

11. Question:	How can parents appeal their child's ineligibility?
Answer:	Appeals are first made to the school principal, who, in consultation with the school's athletics director or athletics coordinator, prepares the appeals file for the Appeals Committee. The appeal file should include a written request from the parent and supporting documentation from the parent and the school (e.g. transcripts, medical statements, interim reports, manual GPA calculation of the preceding semester grades.) The Appeals Committee will consist of the Deputy Superintendent, an Area Superintendent and the District Athletics Director. The Appeals Committee will convene, meet with the parents and student, and decide if an exception to the policy will be granted. The decision of the committee is final.

12. Question:	How are parents notified of of their child's eligibility status?
Answer:	Schools have procedures to notify parents at the end of each semester of their child's status. Particularly important is that schools notify parents at the end of the school year that their child will be ineligible to participate the next semester (Fall Semester, August-December), and would need to pass the appropriate course(s) in Summer School in order to be eligible.

13. Question:	Who is responsible for monitoring the grades of students who participate in competitive co-curricular activities?
Answer:	Parents, students and school personnel share the responsibility for monitoring grades. Students should always know their academic standing in each class. Parents should maintain regular communication with the school (including conferences) concerning the progress of their children, including the review of progress reports and report cards. High-school athletic directors and middle-school athletic coordinators are responsible for monitoring the grades of students, along with assistance from teachers, coaches, sponsors and guidance counselors.