Board of Education proceeds with proposed sports credits

AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas Board of Education said Thursday it will continue to explore a proposal that gives Texas high school athletes twice as much credit toward graduation for playing sports, although some board members have reservations.

The proposal will be crafted into a new state rule, the board decided during a meeting. The board plans to vote on it in September.

The proposal would allow four years of sports to count toward graduation instead of two. Supporters including the Texas High School Coaches Association said new graduation requirements that took effect with freshmen last year discriminate against athletes by cutting the time available for participation in athletics.

In all, the number of credits needed to get a diploma will increase from 24 to 26 starting with 2011 graduates.

"This is a fairness issue. We will still be requiring all the core courses for our students. If we are going to honor scholar dancers, why not honor scholar athletes?" asked board member Ken Mercer, of San Antonio, The Dallas Morning News reported in its online edition Thursday.

He also noted that students in other extracurricular activities such as band and dance can now get four years of credit.

Students can now get up to two years of credit for participation in sports, which meets the current requirement of 11/2 years of physical education and also a half-year toward elective course requirements. A credit is equal to one year of instruction in a subject.