Some schools around the country have been raising the sports eligibility standards. For example the Natick Public Schools in Natick, MA have raised the academic standards for its athletes. They decided to send a message to student athletes that academics come first. If a student doesn’t pass all of their classes, they lose eligibility. As a result of the increased academic demands, 43 students out of more than 500 were deemed ineligible due to failing a class or receiving an incomplete. Previously Natick averaged 6 to 9 academically ineligible students per term. The intended result is to put the emphasis on having their education be their first priority.

Students who are removed from teams have to meet with coaches, guidance counselor, and parents to come up with an improvement plan. These students are then ineligible for the remainder of the term as well as the following term.

What do you think of these new rules?