UIL allows virtual learners to participate in extracurricular activities

By MARK MOLINA
RSL

As schools around the state get ready to possibly explore new learning options due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University Interscholastic League has provided some answers to questions that may come along with them.

The UIL announced Friday afternoon that students enrolled in remote learning will be eligible for extracurricular activities, provided that they meet specific guidelines.

Eligibility guidelines as per the UIL website are as follows:

• Students participating in remote learning offered by their school district, whether synchronous or asynchronous (as defined by TEA), may participate in UIL activities if they meet all other UIL eligibility requirements. Students must be enrolled in remote learning options through the school the student will represent. Schools may develop local policies with additional requirements for participation.
• Schools should develop grading policies for remote learning options that outline the criteria for determining if a student is passing all courses at the end of grading and evaluation periods. Days, when school is not in session, should be treated as school holidays for purposes of determining academic eligibility for both remote and in-person learning. All students are academically eligible when school is not in session for a full calendar week or more.
• For the 2020-2021 school year, UIL eligibility requirements for the first six weeks of school have been modified to allow a student to be eligible for the first six weeks if they accumulated at least two and a half credits since the start of the 2019-2020 school year. Schools may impose additional requirements.

More information on these guidelines can be found in the UIL constitution and contest rules.

In the past month, the UIL has taken measures to safely and slowly bring back athletics in accordance with the everchanging guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control.

This is the second time this week the UIL has announced changes due to the global pandemic after updating the strength and conditioning guidelines Wednesday.

The updates also required all employees, parents, visitors and students 10 years of age and older to wear masks or face shields upon entry to an area where UIL activities are being held in accordance with Executive Order-29 issued by Texas Gov. Greg Abbot on July 2.

The order did exempt those who are actively exercising from wearing a mask.

Also, students may access locker rooms and engage in drills that involve one or more students on offense against one or more students on defense starting on July 13.

Schools are also required to provide protocol for individuals confirmed, suspected or exposed to COVID-19.