High School Sports Eligibility

Summary

If your child is academically ineligible for high school sports due to mental health issues, you may have legal options. Schools must provide reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Document all communications with the school, consult an education lawyer, and consider filing a complaint with the Utah State Board of Education or the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights. Contact UHSAA for appeal processes and possible exceptions.

Full Conversation

My son was told he's academically ineligible to play high school football what are my options
What are the academic requirements for eligibility in your son's school district?
*.* the quarter in question my son was experiencing mental health issues he was diagnosed with a mne
What state are you located in? This will help me provide the most accurate information regarding academic eligibility rules for high school sports.
Utah
What steps have you taken so far to address this issue with the school?

In Utah, academic eligibility for high school sports is generally determined by the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA).
He was have a mental health crisis which he was put on several different medications that were making him physically ill and making it hard for him to function at home at school and with his peers. We had an IEP meeting and talked with several of his teachers which were in agreement to help him. The last time we checked before school ended his GPA was a *.* it wasn't until we were notified by the coach that he had a *.*
Has the school been informed about your son's mental health crisis and its impact on his academic performance?
I have reached out to the athletic director, the principle, the district
What was their response when you informed them about your son's mental health crisis and its impact on his academic performance?
I have
not received any response yet. Have you considered seeking legal advice or representation in this matter? Answer: Yes, that's why I am here.

Based on the information you've provided, it seems like your son's school may not be adequately accommodating his mental health needs. In Utah, schools are required to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, which can include mental health conditions. If your son's school is not doing this, they may be in violation of the law.

Here are some steps you can take:

- Document all communication with the school regarding your son's mental health and academic performance.
- Consult with a lawyer who specializes in education law. They can help you understand your son's rights and guide you through the process of advocating for him.
- If necessary, file a complaint with the Utah State Board of Education or the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

Remember, this is general advice and may not apply to your specific situation. It's always best to consult with a legal professional.

Utah State Board of Education: * E * S, Salt Lake City, UT *, USA. Phone: +* *-*-*

U.S. Department of Education's Office for
I'm sure the school is aware of it being that we had his iep and I have been in contact with the school counselor and several admin.
Have you considered filing a complaint with the Utah State Board of Education or the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights?
What would my complaint be
Your complaint could be about the school's failure to provide reasonable accommodations for your son's mental health condition, which may have affected his academic performance.
My son quilifies for an IEP which he should be federally protected under the disability act
What specific accommodations were outlined in your son's IEP?
I not * % sure the accomedations. I think they were basic help.
What specific steps has the school taken to implement the accommodations outlined in your son's IEP?
Nothing. I have reached out to his iep teacher and have yet to get a response from her.
What is the name of the school and the district? This will help me provide more specific information.
I was just charing with someone and I got disconnected
I'm sorry for the inconvenience, ****. Can you please tell me where we left off in our previous conversation?
Chatting
I apologize for the confusion, ****. Could you please specify the legal issue you were discussing before the disconnection?
Acedemically ineligible to play high school sports
What state are you in? The rules for academic eligibility for high school sports can vary by state.
Utah
What is the specific reason for your son's academic ineligibility?
My son was experiencing a mental crisis. He was diagnosed with mental illness and he was put on serveral medications that made him physically ill. Making it hard for him to function at school at home and with his peers. I spoke with the school counselor and had an IEP meeting in which the teachers came up with a plan to help him. The would give him his grade from his 3rd quarter on his 4th quarter. One of his teachers failed him which we had no idea of. And so his GPA was *
What steps have you taken with the school following the discovery of your son's failing grade?

In Utah, students must maintain a minimum *.* GPA to participate in high school sports.
*.*
Have you considered appealing the grade with the school administration or the school district?
Yes. My son has since talked to that teacher and the grade should have been changed
What was the outcome of the conversation with the teacher? Did the grade change reflect in your son's GPA?
The principle said unfortunately there's nothing he can do
Have you considered taking this matter to the school district or the state's Department of Education? They may be able to provide further assistance.
I have
What was the response from the school district or the state's Department of Education?
I talked to the district and they said uhsaa handles m
What did the UHSAA say when you contacted them about your son's situation?
I haven't contacted uhsaa yet. I'm extremely discouraged beings I keep getting shut down. I don't mnw
What is the main reason you feel discouraged to contact UHSAA? It's important to exhaust all possible avenues when dealing with such issues.
What should I say to them
You could explain your son's situation, the steps you've taken, and ask for any possible exceptions or accommodations due to his mental health condition.
Ok that sounds good I will try that.
That's a good approach. Remember, UHSAA's contact is (*) *-*. They might be able to provide an exception due to your son's mental health condition.
My son should be protected under the disability act but I'm not sure how that works with sports
What specific accommodations are you hoping to get for your son under the disability act?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, schools must provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities, which could include modifications to academic eligibility requirements for sports.
I want him to be eligible for sports again. He had a *.* when a *.* Is required I don't know
What steps have you taken to request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
I haven't requested anything I didn't know I could
What is the name of your son's school? This information will help me provide you with the contact details of the relevant authorities who can assist with your request for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Granger high school
What is the specific mental illness your son was diagnosed with? This information can help in understanding the possible accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Depression and anxiety
What steps has the school taken to accommodate your son's mental health condition in his academic performance?
Nothing
None they haven't helped accommodate his mental health
What steps have you taken to communicate your son's mental health condition to the school administration?
I have emailed the principle and his school counselor
What was their response to your email?
The principle said unfortunately there is nothing he can do
Have you considered seeking legal advice or representation to help advocate for your son's rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
Yes
What specific legal advice or representation are you seeking for your son's situation?
I need help
What kind of legal help are you seeking? Are you looking for a lawyer to represent your son's case or just legal advice on how to proceed?
Any kind. I just want my son to play sports. Sports is his only outlet that he absolutely loves this issue has been extremely hard for him. He still practices every day with the team but for him not to play when it comes to game day is tough
Have you contacted the Utah State Board of Education or a legal professional about this issue? They might be able to provide guidance or assistance.
No I dint know what to do h
What is the name of the school district your son's school is part of? This information can help in providing you with the contact details of the relevant authorities.
Or who to call.
You can contact the Granite School District at (*) *-*. They may be able to provide further assistance or direct you to the appropriate department.
I have called the districtt
Which district did you call and what is the legal issue you're facing?
I called granite school district and the Saud that the uhsaa handles these issues
What specific issue did you discuss with the Granite School District and what was their response regarding the UHSAA's role in this matter?
I discussed my son being acedemically ineligible and that I wasn't getting any help from the schools admin
What specific help are you seeking from the school's administration regarding your son's academic ineligibility?
We were unaware of my son having a *.* GPA. He had a *.* last we check which if we would have known this we could have helped him get his grade up before the beginning of season.
What steps have you taken with the school administration to address your son's academic ineligibility and how have they responded?
I have been in contact with the athletic director principle and several teachers and coaches. The principle told me unfortunately there's nothing he can do
What specific accommodations or actions are you hoping the school will take to address your son's academic ineligibility?
My son has already contacted the teacher and his grade gas since been changed
What was the reason given for the initial miscalculation of your son's GPA?
The teacher failed him I'm not sure the reason t
What was the subject of the class where your son was failed, and did the teacher provide any feedback or comments about his performance?
My son was experiencing mental crisis the teachers were supposed to acomfste
What specific accommodations were you expecting from the teachers due to your son's mental crisis?
The teachers came up with a plan to give him his 3rd quarter trade on his 4th quarter
What is the current status of your son's GPA after the teachers implemented their plan?
It was a *
What is the current status of your son's eligibility for high school football after his GPA was adjusted to *?
*.*
What is the minimum GPA requirement for eligibility in high school football in your district?
*.*
What is the UHSAA's policy on academic eligibility for high school sports?
That's why we were shocked when my son was told he wasn't eligibile
What was the reason given by the UHSAA for your son's ineligibility despite meeting the GPA requirement?
They said he was academically ineligible
What was the UHSAA's basis for declaring your son academically ineligible despite his GPA meeting the requirement?
His GPA is *.* or was I guess
What steps have you taken with the UHSAA to address your son's academic ineligibility?
I haven't contacted them yet
What is the reason for not contacting UHSAA yet? It's important to communicate with them to understand their decision and possibly appeal it.
I keep getting shut down. It states in there rules that he needs a *.*
What was the reason given by the school or UHSAA for not considering the adjusted GPA of *.* for your son's eligibility?
They didn't give a reason
What is the process for appealing the UHSAA's decision on your son's academic ineligibility?
I don't know exactly
What is the name of the school your son is attending? This will help me provide you with the specific contact details for the UHSAA and the appeal process.
Granger highschool
What is the current status of your son's GPA after the adjustment and the response from the UHSAA?
I not sure we don't have access to that info.
What steps have you taken to gain access to your son's updated GPA information?
I have left a message today with the school counselor his teacher that changed the grade said the school is slow and it could take up to 6 months
What is the school's policy on grade changes and how long it takes for them to reflect in the system?
I'm not sure
What is the process for grade change and update in the system according to the Granite School District's policy?
I Dont kniw
What is the contact information for the UHSAA? This will help you to directly discuss your son's situation and understand their decision-making process.
I'm not sure
What is the exact rule that UHSAA has regarding academic eligibility for high school sports?
*
You must have a *.*
What steps have you taken to appeal the UHSAA's decision regarding your son's academic ineligibility?
I haven't
I haven't taken any steps with the uhsaa yet
What is the reason for not contacting UHSAA yet?
I don't know my options beings that the rule is he needs a *.*
What is the process for appealing the UHSAA's decision on your son's academic ineligibility?
I don't know
I don't know the process
What is the name of the UHSAA rule that states a student needs a *.* GPA to be eligible for high school sports?
I don't know
I don't know the rule
I dint know the rule uhsaa
What is the name of the UHSAA rule that states a student needs a *.* GPA to be eligible for high school sports?
I don't know
It's in the bylaws
Could you please specify which bylaw you are referring to?
I think it's *
What does bylaw * state about academic eligibility for high school sports?
A student must have a *. *
What is the process for appealing the UHSAA's decision according to bylaw *?
I don't know
Idk
I don't know the appeal process
What is the name of the UHSAA rule that states the appeal process for academic eligibility decisions?
I don't know the rule
What is the name of the school your son is attending?
Granger high school
What is the current status of your son's academic eligibility after the grade change?
I don't know the status of the grade change or if it was r er cgabted
What was the last communication you received from the school or UHSAA regarding your son's academic eligibility?
From the school stating there was no wiggle room
What specific steps have you taken to appeal the school's decision regarding your son's academic ineligibility?
Emailed and met with principles
What was the outcome of your meeting with the principals?
They didn't help me
What was the specific reason given by the principals for not being able to assist you?
They said it was not there problem that it states in the uhsaa bylaws
What specific bylaw did the principals refer to when they said it was not their problem and it states in the UHSAA bylaws?
I dint remember
What was the last communication you had with the UHSAA regarding your son's academic ineligibility?
I haven't
What is the reason for not contacting UHSAA yet?
I don't know
What is your plan moving forward regarding your son's academic ineligibility issue?
I nerd help.
What specific help are you seeking in this situation?
Possibly someone to represent me
What is the nature of the representation you are seeking? Are you considering legal action against the school or UHSAA?
If I was what would my leagel action be
What specific outcome are you hoping to achieve through legal action?
My son to be eligible
What steps have you taken to appeal the UHSAA's decision regarding your son's academic ineligibility?
Should I contact the uhsaa
Yes, contacting the UHSAA could be beneficial. They can provide clarity on the eligibility rules and the appeal process. Do you need their contact information?
No
What is the current status of your son's GPA after the grade change?
I'm not sure
What is the current status of your son's academic eligibility for high school football after the grade change?
I'm not sure the school don't tell me
I dihbt have aceess to that info
I don't have access to that info
What steps have you taken to gain access to your son's updated GPA information?
I contacted the schools sdnin
What was the response from the school administration when you contacted them about your son's updated GPA information?
They haven't updater it
What was the reason given by the school administration for not updating your son's GPA information?
They didn't give me a reason
What steps have you taken to ensure that the school administration updates your son's GPA information?
I haven't taken any steps
What is the reason for not taking any steps to ensure the school administration updates your son's GPA information?
What is the American with dusibitllitys act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public.
Could I use this against them
What specific discrimination or violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) do you believe has occurred in your son's case?
What discrimination would I use in this case
Based on your son's situation, you might consider claiming discrimination based on disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This could be relevant if the school failed to provide reasonable accommodations for your son's mental health issues.
What would that include
Reasonable accommodations under the ADA could include:

- Modified teaching methods
- Extra time for tests
- Use of technology aids
- Adjusted grading system.

Please consult with a legal professional for advice tailored to your situation.
What is the appeal process for the uhsaa
What specific decision of the UHSAA are you looking to appeal?
Ineligible
What was the reason given by the UHSAA for declaring your son ineligible?
Academically
What steps have you taken so far to appeal the UHSAA's decision on your son's academic ineligibility?