Standards and Guidelines for Student Extracurricular Activities

Standards and Guidelines for
Student Extracurricular Activities

Last updated - June 19, 2007

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The central purpose of schooling is the academic program of studies for students. However, supportive to the instructional program is a diversity of school sponsored student activities that are frequently an extension of the academic program. They include such things as musical and dance performing groups, forensic and sports teams, student publications and government, clubs and social activities, etc. Those involved in student activities generally achieve better grades, attendance, citizenship, and personal discipline than do non-participants.

Because of the intense interest in and value placed on student activities, it is not uncommon for some excesses and abuses to surface which may detract from the central purpose of schooling. Keeping the academic program and the student activity program in perspective is the rationale for the following standards and guidelines.

STANDARDS

1. Schools are prohibited from scheduling full-year fitness and movement (physical education/athletic) classes for specific school teams. In schools where in-season fitness and movement (physical education/athletic) classes are scheduled, such classes shall not be used to violate the starting and stopping dates for practice and competitive plays as prescribed by the Utah High School Activities Association. This standard is aimed at helping restore equity to high school competitive sports programs.

2. All head coaches at any level and any coach paid by the school must hold a current Utah Secondary Teaching Credential or successfully completed the UHSAA Coaches Training Program. Volunteer assistants not paid by the school must serve under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher. (See Standards and Guidelines for Coaching Preparation and Competency SBE 1-20-84).

3. School personnel, activity leaders, coaches, advisors, etc., shall not require students to attend out-of-school camps, clinics, workshops, etc., for which they, activity leaders, coaches, advisors, etc., receive compensation from a source other than the school or district in which they are employed.

GUIDELINES

1. Local boards of education and district superintendents should continually reaffirm the central purpose of schooling - the academic program of students. Extracurricular activities should be just that, extracurricular, and should support the academic program.

2. Local boards of education, superintendents, and school principals are urged to guarantee a productive instructional setting for students who remain behind while their classmates and teachers are gone for participation in extracurricular activities. The "warehousing" of students not involved in extracurricular activities negatively compounds the differences between students involved and those not involved in extracurricular activities.

3. Local boards of education and district superintendents are urged to disapprove travel for extracurricular activities that would result in teachers and students being gone for more than two consecutive school days. Preferable, approved out-of-state travel for extracurricular activities will be limited to summer months or other times when school is not in session.

4. Local boards of education and district superintendents are urged to disapprove all travel, trips, excursions, appearances, etc., which are sponsored by commercial interests for profit. Such travel, while often popular with students and patrons, represents a serious misuse and manipulation of schools and students. Approved in-state and out-of-state travel for extracurricular activities should involve students in verified and documented educational experiences.

5. All school leaders including administrators, student activity leaders, coaches, assistant coaches, etc., should become acquainted with and adhere to Utah Code 53 A-11-908 and 53 A-13-101(4), thereby setting positive role models for students and others.

6. It is recommended that the Utah High School Activities Association and local schools and districts continue their practice of delaying the starting time for extracurricular activities until after school. In addition, the periodic realignment of the regions of the Utah High School Activities Association should continually seek to reduce travel and time out of school for students and teachers.

Region IV Activities Handbook

2007-2008