Board of Education discusses higher academic standards for athletes

The State Board of Education today discussed, but took no action on proposals for toughening the academic requirements for high school athletes. The Board discussed several proposals, including a mandatory two-point-oh grade point average for all students, a gradual increase the G-P-A requirement from the freshmen to senior year, or requiring students to pass all courses. A majority of board members though, appear to be leaning toward continuing to allow local districts to decide if they want a higher standard than the minimum now requiring athletes to pass four classes each semester. Greg McClain of Cedar Falls was only board member to adamantly push for a higher minimum grade requirement.He says it’s not a big deal for students to be able to get a “D” or even a “C.” McClain says he wants hard data from schools on the possible impact on raising the grade requirement. He says he won’t change his mind unless he’s shown that it’s too tough with the proper help for a student to get a “C” or “D.”Or he says he’d have to see data that would show students who aren’t academically eligible are going to drop out or turn to crime.Board Chair Corine Hadley says the board will assemble a panel of schools to address McClain’s concerns. She says they’ll discuss how they feel about the proposed rule changes. Hadley, who’s from Newton, says the Board’s seeking to do what’s best for Iowa’s kids. The Board of Education is scheduled to meet again next month, but Hadley says the panel may not be ready by the meeting, and the issue may not come to a vote until later this year.