Eligibility – FAQs

As the end of the 6 week grading period nears, we wanted to share some frequently asked questions from the Parent Survival Guide.

In the early 1980’s, the Texas Legislature enacted a law requiring students to be passing all classes in order to participate in extracurricular activities. This law, also known as “No Pass, No Play” has led to a lot of confusion over the years.  While revisions have been made and rules have been clarified to eliminate any gray areas, it still can be very confusing.   The University Interscholastic League is the governing body over extracurricular activities in Texas.  In conjunction with the Texas Education Agency and local school districts, an eligibility calendar is created.  This calendar lists the dates for grade checks and when someone loses or regains eligibility.

What are Grade Checks?

Grade checks are conducted every three weeks in CCISD. The first two in a grading period are called Progress Reports and the last one is called a Report Card.  The Report Card is the official grade of record that ends up on a student’s transcript.

What is considered failing?

Any grade that is below a 70 is considered failing.

When is eligibility determined?

This depends on your child’s grades. Everyone’s grades are checked at the end of the sixth week of school.  This is because many districts across the state are on a six-week grading period instead of the nine week period we have in CCISD.  Grades are checked again at the end of the each grading period.

What happens if my child is passing all his or her classes at the sixth week Progress Report/Grade Check?

Nothing. They remain eligible throughout the next Grading Period.  Students passing all classes on a Report Card are not affected by grade checks that coincide with a Progress Report.

What happens if my child fails one or more classes at the sixth week Progress Report/Grade Check?

If your child fails at the sixth week Progress Report, they lose eligibility at the end of week 7.  An exception is made for Honors/Advanced/Pre-AP courses (more on this below).

What happens at the end of the first grading period?

All student grades are checked. When we check grades on the Report Card at the end of the grading period, he or she must be passing all classes in order regain eligibility.  If your child fails any course on the Report Card, he or she is suspended from all extracurricular activities until the next Grade Check/Progress Report.

If my child fails a course, aren’t they eligible again when their grade is brought up to passing again?

No! Students who fail must sit out until the next grade check.

Why do students lose eligibility the week after a Grade Check and not immediately?

The state has allowed a one-week grace period for any errors to be cleared up before a student is required to sit out of an activity. Errors include making a keystroke mistake such as entering a 10 instead of 100.  It also allows time for late work (due to absences) to be graded and recorded.

When a student regains his or her eligibility, do they regain it immediately?

No. They still have to wait a week before they are again eligible.

How do advanced courses count toward No Pass/No Play?

The State of Texas allows for certain AP, Pre-AP, and other advanced courses to be exempt from No Pass/No Play. CCISD has stricter requirements.  Students in these courses must pass with a 70 or above.  Students who fail with a grade in the 60-69 range are allowed a one-time waiver that exempts them from the No Pass/No Play requirement.  This waiver can only be used at the end of each grading period.  If the grade is 59 or below, the waiver cannot be used.   If the student fails more than one course, the student is not eligible to use the waiver.  If the student uses the waiver on a course failed during the first grading period, the student has no more waivers to use for the rest of the school year.

How do we get the waiver?

Your child must pick up the form from the Associate Principal’s office. The form must then be signed by you, a band director, and an administrator and turned back in to the principal’s office.  The campus administration monitors these forms; therefore, they are not available on CHARMS or in the band office.

Where can I find a list of advanced courses that are eligible for the waiver?

The list is available at ccisd.net and it appears in the Course Selection Catalog.

What happens to students who fail a semester exam, fail a course for the semester, or fail the STAAR test?

Nothing. All eligibility is determined by the Grading Period.

If my child fails the fourth nine weeks, is he or she ineligible for the first three weeks of the following school year?

No. Eligibility rules do not carry over from one year to the next.

How do I keep up with all of this?

We put the eligibility dates on the band calendar. You can also access it at ccisd.net.

What is the best way to deal with No Pass/No Play?

Pass all classes.