Davenport raises the grade for extracurricular activities

One of the state’s largest school districts is changing its standards for extracurricular activities.The Davenport School Board is voting 5 to 2 to revise its student activities standards. The board is doing away with a requirement that middle and high school students maintain a 2.0 grade point average to participate in sports and other activities. Next year, students will have to pass five of six classes to be eligible. And if their grade point average drops below 2.0, they1ll be required to do homework under teacher supervision. Two board members, including president Jim Hester, a former NFL player, say the new policy lowers standards. But other board members say it increases opportunities because the old policy excluded some students from extra-curricular activities.