Athletic Placement Process (APP) & ESM Cut Procedures

Athletic Placement Process (APP):

The Athletic Placement Process (APP) is a program for evaluating students who want to participate in sports at higher or lower levels, as approved by the Board of Regents and is aligned with Learning Standards 1 and 2. Commissioner’s Regulation Section 135.4(c)(7)(ii)(a)(4)states: 

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.

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 both the knowledge and ability to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment

The Intent of the APP is to provide a protocol for those districts that choose to allow students in grades 7 and 8 to move up, allowing them to participate safely at an appropriate level of competition based upon physical and emotional readiness and athletic ability rather than age and grade alone. Students do not mature at the same rate, and there can be tremendous developmental differences between students of the same age.  

The APP is not to be used to fill positions on teams, provide additional experience, provide an opportunity for middle school or junior high students when no modified program is offered, or to reward a student. Instead, it is aimed at the few, select students who can benefit from such placement because of their level of readiness.

The Head Coach/Director of Athletics are the only persons who can recommend a student be taken through the APP for a particular sport. The student must be an exceptional athlete.
 

ESM Cut Procedures:

It is an unfortunate reality that in certain situations athletes must be cut from a team. It would be ideal to keep everyone who tries out, and guarantee them playing time, but in some sports that is impossible. The decision to cut athletes is a difficult one and not taken lightly by any coach. The criteria the coaching staff will utilize are: attitude, attendance at tryouts, skill level, overall strength and conditioning, working with team and coaches in and out of season programs, and other sport specific categories established by a particular head coach. 

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