AUSTIN – Texas high school students who play football, basketball and other sports could receive twice as much credit toward graduation under a proposed rule being considered by the State Board of Education.
The proposal – allowing four years of sports to count for credit instead of two – was brought to the board by a coach from Brenham High School. Coach Craig Agnew said new graduation requirements that took effect with freshmen last year discriminate against student athletes by cutting the time available for participation in athletics.
Under the new state requirements ordered by the Legislature, students need four years each of math, science, English and social studies – the so-called 4x4 core courses – along with their electives and a handful of other required classes such as two years of foreign language and 1 ½ years of physical education.
In all, the number of credits needed to get a diploma will increase from 24 to 26 for students graduating in 2011.
Mr. Agnew said the new standards allow students to get four years of credit for activities such as band, choir, dance team, theater and Junior ROTC – but not sports.
"With the impending changes regarding 4x4 and 26 credits to graduate, class period slots will be at a premium," Mr. Agnew told the board in a letter. "No room will be available for non-credit classes like athletics during a student's junior and senior years. Student athletes will often not have the opportunity to take athletics as a class period.
"This is discriminatory against athletics and student athletes."
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