8th Grade Participation in High School Athletics

Overview

Eighth grade students at North Cedar Community School District shall be eligible to participate in high school sports that are sanctioned by the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) or Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) and all rules enacted by state governing bodies shall be followed. House File 2591 does not apply to music, speech, debate, dance, cheer, etc. This law and Department of Education rules only apply to activities sanctioned by the IHSAA and IGHSAU.

Process to Determine if 8th Graders Will Play High School Sports

The North Cedar Community School District Board of Education’s adoption of this policy allowing 8th grade participation on high school sports teams does not guarantee team membership, playing time, or placement at a particular level.

The decision to allow an 8th grade student-athlete to participate on a high school team will be determined using the following criteria:

• With permission from a parent or guardian, an eighth-grade student may participate in interscholastic athletic contests or competitions at the high school level instead of the eighth-grade level.
• Although parent permission is required, the decision regarding whether an eighth-grade student may participate at the high school level will be made by the appropriate district staff, including the activities director, principal, coach, and superintendent, on a case-by-case basis. Decisions of the district staff are final and may not be appealed.
• An eighth-grade student who participates at the high school level may not also participate on an eighth-grade team in the same sport during the same season. Students may not compete in both programs during the same sport season.
• Any eighth-grade student participating in high school athletics must meet the annual athletic physical examination requirements, including the Supplemental Provider Attestation, eligibility requirements, and good conduct standards applicable to all student-athletes.

Factors considered in this decision include, but are not limited to:

• Compliance with all applicable Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) rules
• Student safety
• Roster capacity
• Facility capacity
• Coaching capacity
• Eligibility requirements

The superintendent, in collaboration with the activities director, will develop the administrative regulations and procedures necessary to implement this policy.