The State Board of Education approved emergency rules Thursday for the new law that allows eighth graders to play in any high school sport. The Board’s attorney Thomas Mayes says the rules create the power to allow eighth graders to play, but the decision is still up to the schools.
Mayes says the emergency rule takes effect on August 1st, and it also prevents students from playing on a junior high and high school team at the same time. Mayes says the rules require the annual physical required for all athletes to consider the nature of the sport and the student’s health and development.
The current rules require athletes in grades 9-12 take at least four courses and pass all of them. Mayes says that will not apply to eighth graders.
Mayes says that’s currently the standard for eight graders who are allowed to play summer baseball and softball. Mayes says they did not address the impact of eight graders on school size classification for competition.
The Board also approved a change to transfer rules requiring athletes to sit out 140 calendar days instead of the current 90 school days.
The Board of Ed will hold a public hearing on the emergency rules on August 11th. The Board will then vote on permanent rules at its meeting in September.
