OPPORTUNITY

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P.D.SWANSON@ATT.NET @PAULDSWANSON

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PROPOSAL FOR A FIVE-YEAR MODEL FOR NON-QUALIFYING STUDENT-ATHLETES TRANSFERRING FROM TWO-YEAR COLLEGES TO FOUR-YEAR DIVISION ONE UNIVERSITIES This proposed model features three options for the non-qualifying student-athlete who enters college with varying academic skill levels. It is based upon changing the current four-year eligibility model for two-year transfers to a five-year model by allowing the first year at a two-year college to be considered a developmental year, as if the studentathlete had attended a prep school during his or her first year. The model incorporates many of the ideas presented in the Year of Academic Readiness proposal, yet contains certain key differences that will be integral for successful implementation. For example, the model changes the second-year graduation requirement based upon the new 2.5 GPA and increased core requirements, allowing the necessary time for developmental course work that will prepare studentathletes for the academic rigors faced at the collegiate level. Additionally, the model provides practical incentives in order to encourage non-qualifying student-athletes to overcome academic deficits, thereby promoting higher graduation rates at four-year universities, which is the major goal for everyone. This change from a four- to five-year model addresses many of the challenges facing todays increasing number of at-risk student-athletes. With the proposed 2016 increases in the NCAAs academic requirements for high school student-athletes, as well as the increases in the initial academic requirements for admission to four-year divisiontwo colleges, there will be a critical need for a new model that provides both incentives and a safety net for those students who do not satisfy the new academic criteria. Moreover, with current census data indicating increases in both cultural diversity and families falling below the poverty line, there will be a greater need among student-athletes for a transitional academic level. New information just released from the Texas Education Agency emphasizes the need for a model that meets the academic needs of student-athletes of all races and ethnicities. According to the Texas Education Agency, current academic models continue to fall short in meeting the academic needs of Hispanic and African-American students with regard to college-to-career readiness. This consideration only increases the necessity for change, as a large percentage of our student-athletes presently come from middle-to-low income families. Currently, only 15% of the AfricanAmerican students in the U.S. passed three or more of the required benchmarks. As the nation moves toward adopting the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, it is paramount that the NCAA, the NJCAA, the California Community College Athletic Association, and other national academic organizations work together to develop a program model that will complement the educational enhancement programs at both the state and national level.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE:
OPTION #1 One year of participation at the two-year college level with four years of eligibility at the four-year division one level (See details of option one on attachment titled fiveyearmodeloptionone.pdf) Requirements: 1. Retake and pass the ACT/SAT in correlation to his/her high school core GPA. 2. Pass 18 college transferable core hrs. with a 2.5 GPA at the two-year college and pass six hrs. at the four-year college or university he/she attends. OPTION #2 Two years of participation & completion of 48 core transferable hours at a two-year college with three years of eligibility at the division one four-year level (See details of option # 2 on attachment titled fiveyearmodeloptiontwo.pdf) Requirements: 1. Pass 48 core classes with a 2.5 GPA. OPTION #3 Three years of participation & graduation at a two-year college with two years of eligibility at the four-year division one level (See details of option #3 on attachment titled fiveyearmodeloptionthree.pdf) Requirements:

1. Graduate from the two-year college with a 2.5 GPA in the 48 core classes (See rationale details on attachment titled fiveyearmodelrationale.pdf)

Recommended Core Course Structure for Non-Qualifying Student/Athletes

(Based on the five-year model for two-year colleges as described above) FIRST YEAR First Semester 3 hrs. Developmental Reading 3 hrs. Developmental Writing 3 hrs. Developmental Math 3 hrs. Social Science (College Success or equivalent) 3 hrs. Computer Concepts 15 hrs. Total/6 hrs. college transferable hrs. Second Semester 3 hrs. English 1101 3 hrs. College Math 3 hrs. Humanities 3 hrs. Oral Communication (Speech or equivalent course) 12 hrs. Total /all12 hrs. college transferable Note: First summer session classes could be utilized. First Year: 27 hours. 18 college transferable hours. This meets the requirements for option one of the proposed five-year model. If the student-athlete passes the ACT/SAT in the spring with relation to his or her high school core scores as described in option one of this five year plan, he or she would be eligible to accept a four-year scholarship at a four-year university with four years of eligibility. Note : All classes including online courses would have to be taken at the two-year college attended. The student would have to pass these courses with a 2.5 GPA, and then take six hours in the summer at the four-year university where the student-athlete signed. Second Year: If the student-athlete does not meet the first year requirements to transfer to a four-year university, as described in the five-year model, he or she would need to complete 48 transferable core hours in these areas with a minimum 2.5 GPA in order to transfer, accept a four-year scholarship, and retain three years of eligibility. Note : Only 6 hours of online classes from SACS approved outside institutions could be used to achieve the 48 hrs. 3 hrs. 4 hrs. 6 hrs. 6 hrs. 3 hrs. 6 hrs. 30 hrs. Note: English Comp 1102 Biological/Physical Science with a one-hour lab Humanities History/Behavioral Science Physical Education Classes (three one hour activities classes or one three hour class) College Transferable Electives Total /all 30 hrs. college transferable Summer sessions could be utilized.

Second year total: 30 college transferable hours. First and second year total: 48 college transferable hours.

Third Year Option: If the student-athlete was unable to complete the required 48 hours of core classes in two years, he or she could remain at the two-year college and compete athletically for a third year while completing the following requirements listed below, which would include graduation from the two-year institution. The student-athlete could, upon graduation, accept an athletic scholarship at a four-year university with two years of eligibility remaining, as described above in the five-year model. Note: Any of the non-transferable classes taken in the third year could be taken online from any SACS approved institution if the two-year college approved these classes for graduation. Additionally, any two-year college awarding scholarships would have to scholarship any third-year player, thereby counting against that colleges scholarship totals. Third-year players could not be walk-ons at scholarship programs. 3 hrs. Literature 3 hrs. Biological/Physical Science (the one he/she did not take in the first year) 18 hrs. College classes that would not have to be transferable but would be needed to meet the two-year colleges academic requirements for athletic participation and graduation Only 12 of the hours in the third year would be necessary for graduation at the two-year college (60 hrs.); however, he/she would need to take an additional 12 hrs.(24 hrs. total) the second semester of the third year to remain eligible for athletic competition at the two-year college for two semester (fall/spring) sports.