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NEW YORK STATE
SELECTION /CLASSIFICATION PROGRAM
FOR INTERSCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

 New York State Learning Standards for
Health, Physical Education, Family and Consumer Sciences

"It is not at what age you participate,
but rather with whom and under what conditions"

                                                                           J. Kenneth Hafner

 MARCH 2005

The University of the State of New York
The New York State Education Department
Office of Elementary, Middle, Secondary
and Continuing Education
Albany, New York 12234

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Regents of The University

                                          
President of The University and Commissioner of Education
Richard P. Mills

Chief of Staff
Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs
Kathy A. Ahearn

Chief Operating Officer
Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Management Services
Theresa E. Savo

Deputy Commissioner for Elementary, Middle, Secondary, and Continuing Education
James A. Kadamus

Assistant Commissioner for Curriculum and Instructional Support
Jean C. Stevens

Assistant Director for Curriculum, Instruction, and Instructional Technology
Anne Schiano

The State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, services and activities. Portions of this publication can be made available in a variety of formats, including braille, large print or audio tape, upon request. Inquiries concerning this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to the Department’s Office for Diversity, Ethics, and Access, Room 530, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

New York State Selection Classification Committee
Mary Caparelli, RN, CSNP
Administrator, Statewide School Health Services Center
New York State Education Department

Phyllis Danks
Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics
Marcellus Central School District

Nina Van Erk
Executive Director
New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc.

Harold Fried
Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics
Pine Bush Central School District

Gwen Garcia
Coordinator of Athletics, Physical Education and Health
Warwick Valley Central School District

Robert Goldberg
Chairman, New York State Selection Classification Committee
Retired Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics

Kent W. Gray
Associate in Physical Education
New York State Education Department

Lloyd L. Mott
Assistant Director
New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc.

Doug Prato
Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics ­ Retired
Commack Union Free School District

John Russo
Director of Athletics, Physical Education, Health and Safety Education
Warwick Valley Central School District

Robert C. Zifchock
Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Safety Education
Freeport Union Free School District

Contributors
Don Allen, East Greenbush Central School District ­ Retired
Janet Carey, Sullivan Central School District  ­ Retired
Cindy Devore, M.D.
William Dolan, M.D.
Pat Grasso, Laurens Central School District
J. Kenneth Hafner, New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc. ­ Retired
Dr. Sandra Scott, New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Inc. ­ Retired
Robert Sullivan, Bayport ­ Blue Point Central School District ­ Retired
David Wooster, Guilderland Central School District  ­ Retired

PREFACE

 With the adoption of Learning Standards in Health, Physical Education, Family and Consumer Science, physical education has been included as a content area in the curriculum, along with other academic subjects.  Selection/Classification, a process for screening students approved by the Board of Regents as part of the school eligibility rules* in 1980, is aligned with Learning Standards 1 and 2.  These standards state that students will have the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain physical fitness, participate in physical activity, maintain personal health, and acquire the knowledge and ability to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.

 The State Education Department (SED) has worked collaboratively with the New York State Athletic Administrators Association (NYSAAA), New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and directors of physical education/athletics, to promote physical education and interschool athletic competition statewide.  This guide to Selection/Classification procedures, the culmination of a two-year revision process, is one result of this collaboration.   

 The document represents the shared belief of NYSAAA, NYSPHSAA, the directors of physical education/athletics, and SED that physical education and interscholastic athletic competition are important to the development of the whole child and that students benefit when they can participate in such activities at appropriate levels of maturity and physical ability.

 Normally, a student is eligible for senior high athletic competition in a sport during each of four consecutive seasons commencing with entry into the ninth grade.  However, by satisfying the requirements of  Selection/Classification, a student may receive extended eligibility to permit:

a)                  Participation during five consecutive seasons in the approved sport after entry into the eighth grade; or

b)                  Participation during six consecutive seasons in the approved sport after entry into the seventh grade.

               The intent of Selection/Classification is to provide for students in grades 7 through 12 a mechanism allowing them to participate safely at an appropriate level of competition based upon readiness rather than age and grade.  Students do not mature at the same rate and there can be a tremendous range of developmental differences between students of the same age.  The program is not to be used to fill positions on teams, provide additional experience, provide a place for junior high students when no modified program is offered, or reward a student.  Instead, it is aimed at the few select students who can benefit from such placement because of their level of readiness.  It will also be fairer to the other students on the modified teams.

 *“A Board of Education may permit pupils in grades no lower than seventh to compete on any senior high school team, or permit senior high pupils to compete on any teams in grades no lower than seventh, provided the pupils are placed at levels of competition appropriate to their physiological maturity, physical fitness and skills in relationship to other pupils on those teams in accordance with standards established by the Commissioner.” – Commissioner’s Regulation Section 135.4 (c)(7)(ii)(a)(4)

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgments
Preface
How to Use This Guide
New York State Learning Standards for Health, Physical Education, Family and Consumer  Sciences
Implementation Procedures
Director of Physical Education/Athletics Selection/Classification Procedure Checklist

Attachments

1. Resolution by Board of Education 

2. Individual Athletic Profile and Special Approval Request Application 

3. Parental Permission

4. Developmental Screening ­ Male Special Case Request Form

5. Developmental Screening ­ Female Special Case Request Form

6. Athletic Performance Testing Instructions

7. Coach’s Sport Skill Evaluation

8. Notification of Qualifications

9. Athletic Performance Test Components -- Description of Test Items

10. Girls’ Performance and Development Standards

11. Boys’ Performance and Development Standards

Special Tryout Process ­ Bowling and Golf -- Special Swimming Standards

  How to Use This Guide

 New York State Selection/Classification is a model program that may be implemented at the discretion of all local school districts.  It is not mandated.  Selection/Classification is intended for use by female and male student athletes in grades 7 ­ 12, and directly relates to specific interschool sport categories and levels of competition as follows: 

Intermediate
h Grades 7 ­ 8

 Commencement
h Grades 7 ­ 12

 Sports Categories (Girls and Boys)
h Attachment J (Girls)
h Attachment K (Boys)

 Athletic Competition Levels
h  Modified
h  Frosh
h  Junior Varsity
h  Varsity

    The main body of this document is organized to assist the director of physical education/athletics in administering all aspects related to Selection/Classification.  This includes the following sections:    

h  Selection/Classification Implementation Procedures

h Selection/Classification
 Procedure Checklist

h   Attachment Forms

     There is great diversity among student athletes throughout New York State.  Selection/ Classification was designed to assess a student’s physical maturation, physical fitness and skill, so that the student may be placed at a level of competition that should result in increased opportunity, a fairer competitive environment, reduced injury, and greater personal satisfaction.
 

NEW YORK STATE LEARNING STANDARDS
for
HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Excerpted from:
New York State Education Department, May 1996

 Available online:        www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/physed.html

 STANDARD 1:        Personal Health and Fitness

Students will have the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain physical fitness, participate in physical education activity, and maintain personal health.

             STANDARD 2:        A Safe and Healthy Environment

Students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.

             STANDARD 3:        Resource Management

Students will understand and be able to manage their personal and community resources.

SELECTION/CLASSIFICATION
        IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURES

 Students, teachers, coaches, or parents/guardians may request the director of physical education/athletics to process a student through the Selection/Classification screening procedure.  Students will not be exposed to the screening procedure without a specific request.

 If a student in grade 7 or 8 has reached the chronological age of 15 years old prior to September 1, they are eligible to participate on high school athletic teams without being processed through the Selection/Classification screening procedure.  Only medical approval by the school district physician is required.  The reason that these students are eligible for the high school teams is that they are already at an advanced age and will lose some of their four years of high school eligibility due to being over age if not allowed eligibility.

 If a student has been processed through the Selection/Classification screening procedure and participated in the 7^th grade, the process would not have to be repeated in the 8^th grade as long as they remain at the same level of athletic competition in the same sport category.  If the student changes levels or sports, the Selection/Classification screening procedure must be repeated to meet the specific athletic performance and developmental standards.

 If a student fails to meet one or more of the athletic performance standards related to the   Selection/Classification screening process, he/she may be retested as many times as is appropriate for a specific item or items.  If there is a sound basis for a special approval, it can be requested from the State Education Department (see Attachment B).     

 In conclusion, the director of physical education/athletics ensures compliance with the Selection/Classification regulations.  Working in this capacity, the director of physical education/athletics is required to implement the following required procedural phases:
 

Phase 1          Confirm that the school district has approved a resolution to allow students to participate in the Selection/Classification model program.  If no such resolution exists, proper steps should be taken to ensure that this first requirement is accomplished.  (see Attachment A ­ Sample Resolution).

Phase 2          Convene a committee, similar to the mixed competition panel, to perform a pre-evaluation assessment of the student to determine if the student has the potential to successfully participate at a higher level of athletic competition.

Phase 3          Process a student through the Selection/Classification procedures when requested by the student, recommended by a coach or physical education teacher, or suggested by the director of physical education/athletics.  All students who are to be screened for the program must first obtain parental permission and then start with the school physician.  Athletic performance testing may be done only after the school physician gives Selection/Classification approval.

 Phase 4         Send letters and forms to the individuals involved in the Selection/Classification process as follows:

                        a.  parents – The screening procedure must not begin until the director of physical education/athletics has received parental permission  (see Attachment C).

                        b.  Health and Developmental Rating by the School Physician – Care must be taken to familiarize the school physician with the Selection/Classification model program and its purpose.  It should be emphasized that the screening process to determine the developmental rating of each candidate be as inconspicuous and discreet as possible (see Attachments D and E).

                        c.  Sport Skill Evaluation by the Coach – The coach must understand the intent and purpose of the program and he/she must place the student’s welfare above all else (See Attachment G).

                        d.  Performance Testing – The performance test must be administered by a physical educator who is not the coach of the team for which the student is being evaluated (See Attachment I).

                        e. Special Approval Request – If a student is unable to achieve all of the athletic performance testing requirements, the director of physical education/athletics may request special approval from the State Education Department by submitting the Attachment B and the Special Approval Request Application to the Associate in Physical Education.  In return, a review process to determine approval or nonapproval will be conducted.

Phase 5          When final approval related to all procedural requirements of Selection/Classification has been granted to the student, he/she may now participate in the tryout period associated with the higher level of specific athletic competition.  Additionally, all New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) TryOut Regulations found on page 97 of the NYSPHSAA 2004 ­ 2006 Handbook must be followed.

Phase 6          Mail notices to all schools director of physical education/athletics and section officials announcing the students approved to participate in Selection/Classification and listing their athletic performance scores (See Attachment H). 

                        Mail a letter to the parents of the child explaining the outcome of the screening procedure and outlining the eligibility limitations for their child. 

Phase 7          The director of physical education/athletics must maintain a permanent Selection/Classification record for each student who qualifies.  This record is to remain on file in the director’s office.  The following information must be included:

•         Individual Athletic Profile (Attachment B)

•         Parental Permission (Attachment C)

•         Developmental Screening

• (Attachment D – Males)

• (Attachment E ­ Females)

•         Athletic Performance Testing (Attachment F)

•         Coach’s Sport Skill Evaluation (Attachment G)

•         Notification of Qualifications (Attachment H)

•         Letter to Parent

DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION/ATHLETICS
SELECTION/CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURE CHECKLIST