1. MHSAA ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY Children First Act of 2009 REVISED HIGH SCHOOL GUIDELINES Middle School / Junior High Guidelines Have Not Changed Posted 6/30/10

2. Phase In of High School Changes You may use current guidelines for Fall 2010 Do not go back and recheck those currently eligible For students ineligible, apply new guidelines At the end of first semester 2010, and thereafter, new guidelines apply for all

3. RATIONALE FOR CHANGES Many Different: – Types of Schedules – Grading Scales – Graduation Requirements – Op-Out Graduation Requirements – Senior Schedules – Credit Recovery Options – Fast Track Programs – Promotion Policies

4. ELIGIBILITY RULE The MHSAA eligibility rules require each student participating in MHSAA sanctioned competitions to make “satisfactory progress toward graduation.” Each school district determines the requirements for “satisfactory progress toward graduation” through its graduation requirements. Each school district must interpret this according to its requirements. Additionally, according to Mississippi law, a student must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 or a C average. This will be measured at the conclusion of the first semester using the semester averages of all the courses the student is taking. Students who do not have a 2.0 or a C average for the first semester will be ineligible for the second semester. At the end of the school year, each student’s grade point average for the year will be assessed. This assessment will reflect the average for the entire year using the final grades for each course. If the student does not have a grade point average of at least 2.0 or a C average, he/she will become ineligible for the fall semester.

5. ELIGIBILITY RULE CONTINUED Students may attend summer school, extended school year, take correspondence classes, participate in credit recovery programs and take advantage of other related options to establish a 2.0 or a C average to regain eligibility. Students must complete these programs prior to the first day of the next year or the next semester. In situations which require “judgment,” schools are directed to “interpret the rules for the benefit of the students.” If a student has done a significant “about face,” schools may request a hardship ruling for the student. Individual situations will be assessed. A 2.0 or “C” average may be calculated in two ways. Grade Point Average A = 4 B = 3 C = 2 D = 1 F = 0 Numerical Average all the semester or year end averages and place the average in the local grading scale. If the overall average is a “C” or better, the student is eligible.

6. MHSAA ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY RULE High School “Satisfactory Progress Towards Graduation” – District Determination MS Law – Student must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 or “C” average 9 th Grade Begins H. S. Eligibility – Promoted to 9 th grade, with at least an overall 2.0 or “C” average High School Semester Eligibility – Overall average of course grades must equal at least 2.0 GPA or “C” High School Fall 2011 Eligibility – Overall average of final grades must equal at least 2.0 GPA or “C” Grades for summer school, extended day/year programs, credit recovery classes, and correspondence courses must be earned prior to the beginning of the following semester or year.

7. Academic Eligibility Applies to Competitors in: – Athletics – Band – Choir – Cheer / Dance – JROTC (New) – Speech / Debate

8. MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION AT THAT LEVEL Guidelines Have Not Changed MUST BE PROMOTED MUST HAVE PASSED 4 COURSES THE AVERAGE OF THOSE 4 COURSES MUST BE A “C” OR ABOVE THE SAME GUIDELINES APPLY AT THE SEMESTER

9. MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL GUIDELINES HAVE NOT CHANGED FALL ELIGIBILITY: MUST BE PROMOTED MUST HAVE PASSED THE 4 CORE COURSES (ENGLISH, MATH, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES) THE AVERAGE OF THOSE 4 CORE COURSES MUST BE A “C” OR ABOVE SPRING SEMESTER ELIGIBILITY: DO NOT HAVE TO BE PASSING ALL 4 CORE COURSES, BUT THE AVERAGE OF THOSE 4 CORE COURSES MUST BE A “C” OR ABOVE.

10. WHERE TO FIND FULL EXPLANATION www.misshsaa.com www.misshsaa.com Current Rule New Rule