200. CIF Philosophy on Student Eligibility For Interscholastic Athletic Competition
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), as the governing body of high school athletics, affirms that athletic competition is an important part of the high school experience and that participation in interscholastic athletics is a privilege. The privilege of participation in interscholastic athletics is available to students in public or private schools who meet the democratically established standards of qualification as set forth by the CIF Federated Council.
CIF Bylaws governing student eligibility are a necessary prerequisite to participation in interscholastic athletics because they:
A. Keep the focus on athletic participation as a privilege, not a right;
B. Reinforce the principle that students attend school to receive an education first; athletic participation is secondary;
C. Protect the opportunities to participate for students who meet the established standards;
D. Provide a fundamentally fair and equitable framework in which interscholastic athletic competition can take place;
E. Provide uniform standards for all schools to follow in maintaining athletic competition;
F. Serve as a deterrent to students who transfer schools for athletic reasons and to individuals who recruit student-athletes;
G. Serve as a deterrent to students who transfer schools to avoid disciplinary action;
H. Maintain an ethical relationship between high school athletic programs and others who demonstrate an interest in high school athletes;
I. Support the Principles of “Pursuing Victory with Honorsm.”
201. STANDARDS OF ELIGIBILITY
(1) Initial scholastic eligibility (Bylaw 205.A.)
(2) Continuing scholastic eligibility (Bylaw 205.B.)
(3) Summer School Credits (Bylaw 205.C.)
(4) Non-Traditional Programs (Bylaw 205.D.)
(5) Waivers of 20 semester credits requirement (Bylaw 205.E.)
(1) Initial residential eligibility (Bylaw 206.A.)
(2) Continuing residential eligibility (Bylaw 206.B.)
(1) Expulsion (Bylaw 210.A.)
(2) Suspended Expulsion (Bylaw 210.B.)
(3) Transfer Compelled for Disciplinary Reasons (Bylaw 210.C.)
(1) Mid-Year/Spring Graduation (Bylaw 217.A.)
(2) California High School Proficiency Exam (Bylaw 217.B.)
202. ACCURATE INFORMATION
(1) If it is discovered that any parent, guardian, caregiver or student has provided false information in regards to any aspect of eligibility status on behalf of a student, that student is subject to immediate ineligibility for CIF competition at any level in any sport for a period of up to 24 calendar months from the date the determination was made that false information was provided.
(Revised October 2001 Federated Council)
(2) If it is discovered that persons associated with the student or the school (coach, teachers, parents, friends, etc.) provided false information in order to fraudulently gain favorable eligibility status for a student, that student is subject to immediate ineligibility for competition at any Section member school at any level in any sport for a period of up to 24 calendar months from the determination that false information was provided whether the student was aware of the fraudulent information or not (Revised October 2001 Federated Council)
(3) Any contests in which a student or students participated based on false information or fraudulent practices regardingeligibility status shall be forfeited according to the guidelines set in accord to the rules of the CIF Section.
(4) Teams
a. If it is determined that someone associated with a school (including, but not limited to, a coach) knowingly participates in either providing false information or using fraud or knowingly allows others to do so, in order for a team to meet qualification standards in any event, that team will be subject to immediate ineligibility for further competition in that sport that season.
b. Any contest in which that team has participated based on false information or fraud shall be forfeited according to the guidelines of the CIF Section or the State CIF.
(5) School Personnel Involvement
If any school personnel (including but not limited to a coach) knowingly participates in either providing false information or allowing others to provide false information in order to gain favorable eligibility status for a student, or team information to meet qualification standards for participation in any contest including playoffs or championships, sanctions may be imposed on the school including but not limited to: probationary status, prohibitions against playoff participation, forfeitures, revoking of CIF or Section membership, etc.
(6) Assumed Name
In addition to any sanctions or penalties arising from the provisions above, a student shall become ineligible for CIF competition in the respective sport for competing in CIF competition under an assumed name. (Approved May 1999 Federated Council)
203. AGE REQUIREMENT
No student, whose 19th birthday is attained prior to June 15, shall participate or practice on any team in the following school year. A student, whose 19th birthday is on or before June 14, is ineligible. Each Section may waive this provision so long as criteria for such a waiver shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
A. Such a waiver would not grant more than four years (eight semesters) of eligibility; AND
B. Such a waiver would not grant more than four years’ participation in any sport; AND
C. That a hardship exists which, in the judgment of the Section, requires a waiver. “Hardship” is defined in Bylaw 214; AND
D. A decision to deny such a waiver by the Section Commissioner may be appealed only to the Section and in accordance with the provisions ser forth in State CIF Bylaw 1101.
A. Definition of a Semester of Attendance
(1) Enrollment and/or attendance for 15 school days or more shall count as one of the eight semesters.
(2) Participation in one or more interscholastic athletic contests shall count as one of the eight semesters.
B. Eight Consecutive Semester Rule
A student who first enters the 9th grade of any school following the student’s completion of the 8th grade in any school may be eligible for athletic competition during a maximum period of time that is not to exceed eight consecutive semesters following the initial enrollment in the 9th grade of any school, and said eligibility must be used during the student’s first eight consecutive semesters of enrollment at that school or any other school. Each California Interscholastic Federation Section may, at its discretion, establish rules and procedures for waiving the limitation on semesters of eligibility, providing:
(1) The student is required by the student’s school principal to return to grade eight from grade nine and the student did not take part in an interscholastic contest while in the 9th grade, for the first time; OR
(2) The student, because of mid-year completion of an 8th grade or a mid-year completion of the 9th grade in a junior high school, is required by the student’s school principal to repeat a semester of work in order to conform to a school program having annual terms, AND that the student has not taken part in an interscholastic athletic contest while enrolled for the first time in the semester which the student's school principal required the student to repeat.C. Other than paragraph (1) and (2) above, relief under this rule may only be granted when the conditions set forth in Bylaw 204.D. below are found to be present. Any other or past rationales or bases for relief under this bylaw are disapproved.
(Approved May 2001 Federated Council)
D. Waiver of the Charge of a Semester of Attendance
Each California Interscholastic Federation Section may waive the charge of one or more of the eight consecutive semesters of eligibility for athletic competition due to a hardship condition that causes the student’s absence from school or to extend the student’s attendance in school beyond eight consecutive semesters, PROVIDED:
(1) That a hardship condition exists that, in the judgment of the Section, warrants a waiver. “Hardship” is defined in CIF Bylaw 214;
a. The hardship caused the student to remain out of school for more than half of any semester during his/her high school career; OR
b. The hardship is the direct and sole cause of the student extending his/her attendance beyond eight consecutive semesters even though the student was in attendance for those eight consecutive semesters. Further, the student’s extension of his/her attendance beyond eight semesters has no athletic motivation.
(2) That the student was eligible under all rules in the semester immediately prior to either his/her absence or the onset of the hardship condition that is the direct and sole cause for extending his/her attendance beyond eight semesters;
(3) Such a waiver would not grant more than four years’ participation in any sport;
(4) All other eligibility requirements apply.
A decision to deny such a waiver by the Section Commissioner may be appealed only to the Section and in accordance with the provisions set forth in State CIF Bylaw 1101.
QUESTION: Are students in the eighth grade eligible to participate on high school teams?
ANSWER: No! A student must have completed all required work below the ninth grade level to be eligible to participate as a member of a high school team.
QUESTION: May a student entering from the eighth grade, who at first had planned not to attend high school, enroll on Dec. 1st and be eligible to participate during the current semester?
ANSWER: YES! The student would be eligible upon enrolling in school and would continue to be eligible as long as the student was passing 20 semester units of work during the current grading period and had a 2.0 GPA from grades issued at the end of the 8th grade.
QUESTION: What is the status of a student who repeats his/her sophomore year due to scholastic deficiency or other reason?
ANSWER: The student would have already used four of his/her allowable eight semesters of eligibility and repeating the sophomore year would bring about a charge of the fifth and sixth semester. Thus, the student would not be eligible for his/her “Senior Year” in the school.
Question: What is the status of a student initially entering high school at the 10th grade level (sophomore year)?
ANSWER: The student would have SIX semesters of eligibility remaining.
NOTE: Failure to satisfy the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE), California course requirements (e.g. Algebra I), and/or end of course requirements shall not be considered a hardship.
A. Initial Scholastic Eligibility
In order to be eligible, any student entering from the 8th grade into a CIF four-year high school, a junior high or a junior high under the provisions of Bylaw 302, must have achieved a 2.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale in enrolled courses at the conclusion of the previous grading period.
(1) Probationary Period
The governing board of each school district, private school, or parochial school may adopt, as part of its policy, provisions that would allow a student who does not achieve the above requirement in the previous grading period to remain eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics during a probationary period. The probationary period shall not exceed one semester in length, but may be for a shorter period of time, as determined by the governing board of the school district, private school, or parochial school. A student who does not meet the above requirements during the probationary period shall not be allowed to participate in interscholastic athletics in the subsequent grading period. For the purpose of determining the maximum length of a semester, the measure shall be the maximum number of days comprising a semester as used in that school during the year in question.
B. Continuing Scholastic Eligibility
(1) Minimum Requirements
A student is scholastically eligible if:
a. The student is currently enrolled in at least 20 semester credits of work;
(i) Non-Traditional Programs
In schools where other than traditional semester programs are offered, the principal of each individual school shall be responsible for determining the equivalent of 20 semester credits of work.
(ii) Accelerated Programs
Students studying on an accelerated program that includes one or more advanced (either high school or college) courses while enrolled in high school may substitute enrollment and passing grades in these courses for one or more required 20 semester credits of work; evaluation of these courses is to be done by the high school principal.b. The student was passing in the equivalent of at least 20 semester credits of work at the completion of the most recent grading period;
c. The student is maintaining minimum progress toward meeting the high school graduation requirements as prescribed by the governing board;
d. The student has maintained during the previous grading period a minimum 2.0 grade-point average, on a 4.0 scale, in all enrolled courses.
A student is scholastically eligible if:
a. The student is currently enrolled in at least 20 semester credits of work;
(i) Non-Traditional Programs
In schools where other than traditional semester programs are offered, the principal of each individual school shall be responsible for determining the equivalent of 20 semester credits.(ii) Physical Education Credits
Credits earned in physical education may count toward the 20 semester credits of work requirement.
(iii) Accelerated Programs
Students studying on an accelerated program that includes one or more advanced (either high school or college) courses while enrolled in high school may substitute enrollment and passing grades in these courses for one or more required 20 semester credits of work; evaluation of these courses is to be done by the high school principal.
b. The student was passing in the equivalent of at least 20 semester credits of work at the completion of the most recent grading period;
c. The student is maintaining minimum progress toward meeting the high school graduation requirements as prescribed by the governing board;
d. The student has maintained during the previous grading period a minimum 2.0 grade-point average, on a 4.0 scale, in all enrolled courses.
(2) Probationary Period
The governing board of each school district, private school, or parochial school may adopt, as part of its policy, provisions that would allow a student who does not achieve said educational progress in items (c) or (d) above in the previous grading period to remain eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics during a probationary period. The probationary period shall not exceed one semester in length, but may be for a shorter period of time as determined by the governing board of the school district, private school, or parochial school. A student who does not achieve said educational progress as defined in items (c) or (d) during the probationary period shall not be allowed to participate in interscholastic athletics in the subsequent grading period. For the purpose of determining the maximum length of a semester, the measure should be the maximum as used in that school.(3) Grading Period
The grading period is that time when all students in a school are graded. If two grades are given at the end of a grading period, scholastic eligibility shall be established according to the grade issued for credit.
(4) Incomplete Grades
A grade (s) of “Incomplete” shall not be considered a passing grade under this Bylaw unless, by operation of a school grading policy, said “Incomplete” grade shall become a passing letter or (numeric) grade without further achievement or accomplishment by a student, at a certain time. When an “Incomplete” grade is issued which does not automatically become a passing grade, as indicated immediately above, such “Incomplete” grade shall not satisfy the requirement of this Bylaw until academic deficiency which gave rise to such “Incomplete” grade shall have been satisfied and a passing grade has been substituted for the “Incomplete” grade. Upon such substitution, the substituted grade shall be considered in determining scholastic eligibility as established by evaluation of previous grading period grades and the substituted grade. A scholastically ineligible student may become immediately scholastically eligible upon such evaluation.
(5) Physical Education Credits
Credits earned in physical education may count toward the 20 semester credits of work requirement.
C. Summer School Credits
Summer school credits shall be counted toward making up scholastic deficiencies incurred in the grading period (semester) immediately preceding. Summer school courses failed shall not impair an athlete’s scholastic eligibility achieved in the semester immediately preceding. Aeducational progress as defined in items (c) or (d) during the probationary period shall not be allowed to participate in interscholastic athletics in the subsequent grading period. For the purpose of determining the maximum length of a semester, the measure should be the maximum as used in that school.
(3) Grading Period
The grading period is that time when all students in a school are graded. If two grades are given at the end of a grading period, scholastic eligibility shall be established according to the grade issued for credit.
(4) Incomplete Grades
A grade (s) of “Incomplete” shall not be considered a passing grade under this Bylaw unless, by operation of a school grading policy, said “Incomplete” grade shall become a passing letter or (numeric) grade without further achievement or accomplishment by a student, at a certain time. When an “Incomplete” grade is issued which does not automatically become a passing grade, as indicated immediately above, such “Incomplete” grade shall not satisfy the requirement of this Bylaw until academic deficiency which gave rise to such “Incomplete” grade shall have been satisfied and a passing grade has been substituted for the “Incomplete” grade. Upon such substitution, the substituted grade shall be considered in determining scholastic eligibility as established by evaluation of previous grading period grades and the substituted grade. A scholastically ineligible student may become immediately scholastically eligible upon such evaluation.
(5) Physical Education Credits
Credits earned in physical education may count toward the 20 semester credits of work requirement.
C. Summer School Credits
Summer school credits shall be counted toward making up scholastic deficiencies incurred in the grading period (semester) immediately preceding. Summer school courses failed shall not impair an athlete’s scholastic eligibility achieved in the semester immediately preceding. A course taken by contract or independent study during the summer must meet the following four criteria:(1) The course (s) must be approved by the local board of trustees as a valid part of the district’s school program;
(2) The student receives a passing grade in the courses taken;
(3) The personnel providing the instruction and course supervision are approved by the board of trustees;
(4) The school credit is recorded on student’s transcript.
D. Scholastic Eligibility for Students in Non-Traditional Programs
In schools operating on other than the traditional program (i.e., for schools such as those with a modular or flexible scheduling, special programs for the physically-disabled, or continuous progress programs) the principal shall certify as to the scholastic eligibility of each student based upon satisfactory progress in accordance with the standards defined above. Students may apply college course units to satisfy the 20 semester periods of work requirement and the grade point average requirement. (NOTE: For crediting purposes the grading period closes with the last day of school in the given grading period. In determining eligibility, one grading period does not end until the next one begins.) Students who are eligible for differential standards of proficiency pursuant to Section 51412 of the Education Code are covered by that Section.
E. Waiver of the Requirement of Passing 20 Semester Credits of Work
Each California Interscholastic Federation Section may waive the requirement of passing in 20 semester credits of work during the regular school grading period immediately preceding that of competition, PROVIDED:
(1) Serious illness, injury, or attendance in special schools (as referenced in Education Code Sections 59000 et seq. and 59100 et seq.), prevents the student from meeting one or more of these requirements; OR
(2) The student has been traveling abroad with the consent of the student’s parents and circumstances prevented further school attendance; OR
(3) The student is returning from an American abroad school attendance program; OR
(4) The student is returning from school attendance abroad because of a bona fide change of residency by the student’s parents or legal guardian; OR
(5) The student is required to remain out of a U.S. school because of exceptional hardship, (See Bylaw 214 for definition of hardship); AND
(6) That the student was eligible under all rules in the semester immediately prior to his/her absence; AND
(7) All other rules such as age and number of seasons of sport shall apply.
A decision to deny such a waiver by the Section Commissioner may be appealed only to the Section and in accordance with the provisions set forth in State CIF Bylaw 1101.
A. Initial Residential Eligibility
A student has residential eligibility upon initial enrollment in:
(1) The 9th grade of any CIF high school, a CIF junior high school, or a junior high school under provisions of Bylaw 303; OR
(2) The 10th grade of any CIF high school from 9th grade of a junior high school in California.
B. Continuing Residential Eligibility
Sections may require paperwork for the following provisions:
(1) A student retains residential eligibility as long as he/she is continuously enrolled in the CIF-member high school in which the student initially enrolled; OR
(2) A student changes schools with a valid change of residence by the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver provided there is a valid change of residence.
a. Valid Residence
A valid residence is defined as the location where the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver (with whom eligibility has been established) live with that student and thereby have the use and enjoyment of that location. A student (with the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver with whom eligibility has been established) may only have one valid residence at one time.
b. Valid Change of Residence
Determination of what constitutes a valid change of residence depends upon the facts in each case, however, to be considered, the following facts must exist:
(i) The original residence must be abandoned as a residence by the immediate family; AND
(ii) The student’s entire immediate family must make the change and take with them the household goods and furniture appropriate to the circumstances. For eligibility purposes, a family unit may not maintain two or more residences; AND(iii) The change of residence must be genuine, without fraud or deceit, and with permanent intent; AND
NOTE: A student whose family makes a valid move into a new school boundary (See “iv” below) is immediately residentially eligible for varsity competition. A subsequent move into a different school boundary by the family (or other family members) during the next 12 calendar months will result in the student being declared ineligible until cleared for competition by the Section Commissioner.
(iv) Evidence must be submitted that a valid change of residence has occurred. No single document listed below or combination thereof establishes residency. The Section Commissioner and/or school has the discretion to request additional documents that he/she deems necessary to confirm residency. Evidence may include:
· Operative telephone and utility service at the student’s new residence and terminated at the former residence;
· Utility service receipts;
· Proof of paying for utilities at the new residence including phone, gas, electricity, water, cable television, and garbage collection;
· Proof of submitting a change of address to the U.S. Postal Service to receive mail at the new residence;· Proof of transfer of the parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and age-appropriate student’s motor vehicle registration;
· Proof of changed address on the parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and age-appropriate student driver’s license;
· Voter registration listing the new address;
· Real estate documents indicating and verifying a change of residence (sale and purchase, for instance);
· Proof of entering a long-term lease;
· Court documents indicating a change of residence;
· Property tax receipts;
· Rent payment receipts;
· Declaration of residency executed by the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver;
· Bank account statements;
· Credit card statements;
· Other documentation that a Section or school district may require that establishes that a person is living at the new address.
(3) School Choice Following a Valid Change of Residence
A student, whose parent (s)/guardian (s)/caregiver with whom the student was living when the student established residentialeligibility at the prior school move from a residence in public high school attendance area “A” to a residence in public high school attendance area “B,” has a choice among continued attendance at the previous school, attendance at School “B,” or attendance at a private school. The student is eligible if the student remains in School “A,” or if the student enrolls and attends class immediately or no later than the beginning of the next school year in School “B” or a private school.
(4) Return to Previous School
When a student eligible in School “A” transfers to School “B” and is residentially not eligible, the student may return to School “A” and be residentially eligible provided the student did not participate in an interscholastic athletic contest while at School “B” and provided the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver still reside in School “A’s” attendance area.
NOTE: The Section may require some paperwork.
(5) Intra-district and Inter-district Transfers/Open Enrollment
Each Section shall adopt rules and procedures that address eligibility pursuant to the provisions of the State Education Code sections 35160.5(b)(1) et seq. and 48300 et seq. (“open enrollment” and school choice legislation). However, the Section Commissioner shall make all final determinations of transfer eligibility. (See Bylaw 207.B.)
(6) Boarding School
A high school student who transfers to or from the status of a full-time resident at a 24-hour boarding school shall be residentially eligible immediately on the first transfer, but all residence requirements shall apply on any subsequent transfer. To be considered a 24-hour boarding school student, the student must have resided in the boarding school for a period of 50 days immediately prior to the transfer.
(7) Court Order
If court action requires a student to transfer from one school to another when there has been no corresponding change ofresidence on the part of the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver with whom the student was living when the student established residential eligibility, the student will be ineligible at the new school unless approved by action of the Section.
NOTE: A recommendation by a social worker of a welfare department for a change in residence would not constitute a court order.
(8) Military Service
A student is eligible immediately for athletic competition when returning from military service provided:
a. The student was eligible when the student entered into the Armed Forces; AND
b. The student enrolls in the same school which the student attended before leaving for the service, or enrolls in the school in the district in which the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver reside; AND
c. The student enrolls in the school no later than the succeeding semester after being discharged; AND
d. Provided student did not receive a dishonorable discharge; AND
e. The student is fully eligible under all other rules of the CIF.
(9) Married Status
A student who marries and lives with the student’s spouse has residential eligibility in the school in the attendance area in which the student resides.
(10) Anticipated Residence Change
If a student transfers to a high school in advance of the anticipated change of residence by the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver with whom the student was living when the student established residential eligibility, the student shall become eligible when the parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver actually complete a valid change of residence to that school’s attendance area.
(11) Same Sport At Two Different Schools
No student shall be eligible to participate in the same sport at two different schools in the same school year unless the student changed schools as a result of a valid change of residence by the student and his/her parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver. In the event of a change of schools due to a valid change of residence, a student will be allowed to participate in the same sport at two different schools not to exceed, in total, the maximum number of contests in that sport as established by the Section.
(Revised May 2008 Federated Council)
207. TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY
A student who participates in an interscholastic athletic contest or is enrolled in and/or attends a school for 15 school days or more shall be considered to have been “enrolled” in that school and shall be classified as a transfer student if the student subsequently enrolls at another school.
A. A student may have transfer eligibility provided the student moves from any school to a CIF school due to:
(1) A valid change of residence (See also Bylaw 206.B.) from one school attendance area to the attendance area of the new school by the parent (s) or legal guardian (s) with whom the student was living when the student established residential eligibility (Bylaw 206.A.) at the prior school; OR
(2) A ruling by the Board of Education of a school district that has two or more high schools, provided the change of schools is not the result of disciplinary action; OR
(3) A family decision to transfer the student prior to the first day of the student’s third consecutive semester (typically the first semester of the sophomore year) of attendance since the initial enrollment when the following conditions are met:
a. This is the first transfer of this student since his/her initial enrollment in the 9th grade; AND
b. The student is not transferring as a result of a disciplinary situation (See also Bylaw 210); AND
c. The student was scholastically and otherwise eligible at the former school immediately prior to the transfer; AND
d. The CIF Form 510 Pre-Enrollment Contact Affidavit is completed verifying that there is no evidence of the use of undue influence (recruiting) by anyone associated with either school; ANDe. The CIF Form 207 Athletic Transfer Eligibility Application and CIF Form 510 Pre-Enrollment Contact Affidavit have been approved by the Section.
f. Under this bylaw, no student shall be eligible to participate in the same sport at two different schools in the same school year unless the student changed schools as a result of a valid change of residence by the student and his/her custodial parent(s) or guardian(s).
B. All 9th grade students who are transferring for a second time or any 10th, 11th or 12th grade students who transfer without a valid change of residence, will have limited eligibility for one year from the date of transfer (See item “a.” below):
(1) A student who transfers from a school located in the U.S., a U.S. Territory, a U.S. Military Base, or Canada (to be referred to as School “A”) to School “B”, without a change of residence on the part of his/her parents, legal guardians, or caregiver with whom the student was living when the student established residential eligibility, from school attendance area A to school attendance area B, shall be residentially eligible for all athletic competition EXCEPT varsity level competition in sports in which the student has competed in any level of interscholastic competition during the 12 calendar months preceding the date of such transfer. (defined as limited ELIGIBILITY).
a. Based on the conditions below, the student shall be ineligible for all sports for one calendar year unless otherwise noted.
(i) A student who was scholastically ineligible at their previous school will not be eligible to compete at the new school until the requirements in Bylaw 205 are met and the new school has completed a grading period to verify that the student has met the CIF and school district scholastic eligibility requirements.(ii) A student will be declared ineligible for one calendar year from the date of transfer if he/she is transferring for disciplinary reasons as defined in Bylaw 210.
(iii) There is evidence of the use of undue influence by someone associated with either school in order to retain or secure this student’s enrollment.
(2) Hardship Waivers
Sections may waive the limited eligibility of a student pursuant to CIF Bylaw 208 - Transfer Hardship.
(3) In the event of a change of schools due to a valid change of residence, a student will be allowed to participate in the same sport at two different schools not to exceed, in total, the maximum number of contests in that sport as established by the CIF Section. No student shall be eligible to participate in the same sport at two different schools in the same school year unless the student changed schools as a result of a valid change of residence by the student and his/her custodial parent (s) or guardian (s).
(4) The student shall become varsity eligible under the rule after one calendar year from the date of first attendance at the new school.
(5) Pre-Enrollment Communication or Contact
A student who transfers from School “A” to School “B,” as described in Bylaw 207.A. and 207.B. above, shall not be eligible for interscholastic athletics at School “B” until application, under the appropriate CIF/Section procedures, is completed including the following:
a. The principal and athletic director of School “A” shall attest that to the best of their knowledge they have no credible evidence* of any person: who is connected with the athletic department of School prima facie case of undue influence/recruiting exists, the student shall be ineligible to represent the new school in interscholastic athletic competition for a period of one calendar year from the date of the student’s enrollment in the new school unless sufficient proof is presented to the satisfaction of the CIF Section Commissioner that rebuts or disproves the evidence of undue influence/recruiting for athletic reasons.A team associated with the school is one that is organized by and/or coached by any member of the coaching staff at, or any other person associated** with, that school; and/or, on which the majority of the members of the team (participants in practice and/or competition) are students who attend that school.
** Defined as: Persons “associated” with a school include, but are not limited to; parents of current or former student/athletes, booster club members, alumni, spouses or relatives of coaches, teachers and other employees, former coaches, active applicants for coaching positions, and persons who are employed by companies or organizations that have donated athletic supplies, equipment or apparel to that school.
d. A student at any grade level who transfers to a new school within one calendar year of the relocation of his/her coach to that school without a corresponding change in residence shall be considered to have transferred for athletic reasons and shall not be eligible to participate in the sport(s) coached by that coach for one calendar year from the date of enrollment in the new school.
e. Any pre-enrollment communication as described above must be disclosed in full, and in writing, to the appropriate Section. The CIF Section Commissioner shall determine if the pre-enrollment communication is a possible violation of CIF Bylaw 510.f. A student with whom contact or communication has occurred, as described in paragraph “a.” above, and who meets all other CIF/Section transfer waiver requirements, may become eligible upon determination that: the communication was completely unrelated to any aspect of School “B”; AND was of a type that, from the objective point of view of a reasonable person disinterested in the win/loss record of School “B,” does not have an effect upon the integrity of interscholastic athletics at School “A” or School “B.”
g. Penalties
Deliberate failure of the School “B” persons, identified in paragraph (5) above, to disclose any pre-enrollment contact, or communicate in writing to the appropriate CIF Section as described in (5)c. above may result in:
(i) A forfeiture of all games in which the student participated; AND/OR
(ii) Disqualification from playoff and championship competition for all seasons in which the student is a member of the school’s team. (A student shall be considered a member of the school’s team if he or she participated in any aspect of an interscholastic contest, no matter how brief such participation may have been); AND/OR
(iii) The forfeiture of all games or events won during the time the student was a member of the school’s team; AND/OR
(iv) Divestment from the school of all trophies, banners and other indicia of athletic success obtained while the student was a member of the school’s team.C. This Bylaw also applies to students 18 years of age or older and emancipated minors.
NOTE: Students transferring to another school under any provision of the federal legislation “No Child Left Behind Act” are not residentially eligible at their new school. However, a student may become eligible under the provisions of the appropriate Section and State CIF Constitution and Bylaws.
(Approved notation May 2003 Federated Council)
208. HARDSHIP WAIVERS
The California Interscholastic Federation recognizes that, in certain circumstances, students may transfer from one school to another due to a compelling need or situation beyond a student’s control. In such cases the Section may waive the transfer limitation imposed on a student when the case meets the definition of a hardship. (See A. below.) Consideration of any hardship request under this bylaw requires documented proof of the hardship circumstance, and all facts to be considered must be submitted at the time of application. Consideration will be given to those situations in which there is no evidence of athletic motivation, undue influence, pending disciplinary action or falsification of information (See also Bylaw 202).
A. A hardship is defined as an unforeseeable, unavoidable and uncorrectable act, condition or event that causes the imposition of a severe and non-athletic burden upon the student or his/her family. Sections may only waive the transfer limitation if the conditions of hardship are met, and there is sufficient documentation to support the hardship claim. Sections may not waive the applicable rule if the conditions of hardship are not met.
B. Consideration of any hardship request to a Section requires documentation. Such documents may include, but not be limited to copies of current transcripts, financial documents, medical statements and/or supportive statements from the previous school attended.
HARDSHIP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
NOTE: CIF provides these questions and answers as a guide for parents and school personnel to aid them in determining if a transfer waiver is possible under the hardship definition. Every case is different and heard on its merits.The following is meant as a guide only and is not a definitive list of what is and is not a hardship.
Question: If my daughter does not have a hardship as defined in Bylaw 208, will she be allowed to compete on the athletic teams at her new school?
Answer: If a student leaves a school in good standing and is eligible under all other CIF Bylaws and both principals have no objection, she may compete at the non-varsity level in any sport she participated in at the previous school during the last 12 months or at the varsity level in any other sport.
Financial Considerations
Question: I can no longer afford to send my son to a private school. I want my son to return to the public school of attendance and compete at the varsity level. Is that allowed?
Answer: Under certain circumstances a hardship waiver of the transfer penalty may be granted because of financial situations. However, there must be evidence of an unforeseeable, unavoidable, and uncorrectable circumstance that necessitated the transfer. The Section will need evidence to show that a hardship circumstance occurred.
The Section will require evidence the family attempted to address the situation with the private school and that aid or assistance by the private school was insufficient to address the hardship. Increases in tuition or additional costs at the private school are considered foreseeable and, therefore, do not meet the criteria.
Transportation Considerations
Question: My son is enrolled in a school outside the public school attendance area. It is becoming more and more difficult to travel this distance. If we transfer, will he still be eligible for varsity competition?
Answer: Generally, no. Transportation problems are foreseeable, as are instances of difficulty because of weather or changes in carpools.
Question: The price of gas has skyrocketed and limited our ability to transport our daughter to our school of choice. We are considering changing to a school closer to our home. If we transfer, will she still be eligible for varsity competition?
Answer: Generally, no. The student may be given “limited eligibility” at her new school. Fluctuations in gasoline prices, as with most transportation issues, are foreseeable and must be considered when making your initial choice of schools.
Divorce or Change of Guardianship
Question: We are divorced (or divorcing) and my son will be moving to live with his father. Will he be eligible at his new school at the varsity level?
Answer: A student who moves without the caregiver (s) with whom he established residential eligibility is ineligible for varsity competition. However, a hardship waiver may be requested that documents why the student must move to a new caregiver. In the case of a divorce decree that requires the student to transfer to a new school and live with a parent different from the one with whom he/she established initial eligibility, a copy of the court order must accompany the hardship request.
Other changes of custody, if out of the control of the parent (s) or student, may be the basis for a hardship waiver of the Bylaw. In transfers made as a result of a change of legal guardianship, determined by a court having jurisdiction to do so, the request may be approved provided that the student has changed his/her residence to that of the new legal guardian.
NOTE: Affidavits of responsibility outside the purview of a court do not meet the criteria of this policy. (See also Bylaw 206.B.(7).)
Question: What does court-appointed change of guardianship mean?
Answer: The Section will look for documentation that the student has changed from one parent to another or to a caregiver. Such proof of this type of transfer is a court document transferring physical custody from one parent to another. This is not a modification of custody rights; it recognizes that parent (or caregiver) with whom the student resides.
Discontinued Programs
Question: The school my daughter attends has discontinued a program in which she participated. Can a hardship waiver be granted if she transfers to a school that offers the same program?
Answer: When a transfer is made as a result of a school discontinuing a particular program in which the student had previously been enrolled or participated, thestudent may request a waiver of the transfer rule. Proof of the student’s enrollment in the program at the new school should be submitted at the time of the request.
Student Emergencies
Question: My son changed schools because of a medical condition. Will he be allowed to compete at his new school at the varsity level?
Answer: Transfers based upon medical considerations may be approved, provided that Medical Doctor/Doctor of Osteopathy substantiates the need for such a transfer as an integral part of medical therapy of prevention or aggravation of an existing condition serious enough to warrant a compelling need to transfer. The CIF Section Commissioner may deny the request if it is established that the diagnosis was made for the purpose of establishing athletic eligibility at the new school.
NOTE: Letters/notes from a psychologist, nurse, or social worker will not be considered for medical emergencies and/or conditions.
Student Social Issues
Question: My daughter is having trouble making friends at her school of choice. She wants to transfer to a school where she has friends and the course offerings will be better for her. Will she be eligible at the varsity level at her new school?
Answer: It is reasonable to expect that there may be social adjustment problems or scholastic problems when a student chooses to attend a school outside of the neighborhood or a school that has a rigorous curriculum. Such circumstances do not satisfy the criteria for a hardship.
Question: I want my son to attend a different school because the scholastic program is better at that school. He also feels he will fit in better at that school. Will he be eligible at the varsity level?
Answer: Defining a “better” school scholastically or socially is subjective. Parents are urged to research schools prior to enrollment. Transfers for these reasons do not meet the hardship criteria.
Question: Can my daughter apply for a hardship waiver if she has been subject to a disciplinary action?
Answer: Transfers as a result of disciplinary action or pending disciplinary action by a school do not meet the criteria for consideration.
Question: The school my son attends is not a safe environment and I want to transfer him to another school. Will this transfer limit his athletic eligibility?
Answer: Any hardship waiver request MUST be substantiated with documented evidence. In a claim of an unsafe school environment, there must be documented school reports of incidents involving the student that makes remaining on that campus a dangerous situation that is beyond the control of the student.
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