Supplemental School Year Program (SSYP) Guidance from the KHSAA

[theguru]

(This new law) which creates the Supplemental School Year Program (“SSYP”) allows any K-12 student enrolled during the 2020-2021 school year to use the 2021-2022 school year as a supplemental year to retake or supplement courses the student already has taken.

Students have until May 1 to submit a request to their local board of education, and the local board has until June 1 to decide whether to accept all requests or no requests from students in their district. Students may only accept the SSYP option at the school in which they are enrolled on May 1.

The local board must submit its implementation plan, along with any requests for regulatory waivers, to the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) by June 16. Each member school within each local Board of Education approving the SSYP will report to the KHSAA the names of students impacted by this decision based on the approved requests, per the instructions listed in this information. The KHSAA is providing this guidance so districts may provide students, families, and school officials with the relevant information as they make their final decisions.

Member schools should reference the KDE Guidance Document at https://bit.ly/2OFroqn for specific information on issues connected to students in the program but not under the jurisdiction of the KHSAA.

Fundamental to all of this process is that the students choosing to repeat a grade under the SSYP program during 2021-22 and meeting all established deadlines have the same opportunities to do again as they would have had during their first year of enrollment in that grade in 2020-21, and not additional opportunities that might be otherwise created by the program.

Additionally fundamental is the realization that education is a constitutionally guaranteed right while athletics (and other extra-curricular activities) are a privilege, and as such there could be different answers on similar subjects. Where possible, the KHSAA has tried to stay congruent with the guidance issued relative to education.

In this document, individual eligibility bylaws (primarily Bylaws 2 through 14 listed on the KHSAA website at https://bit.ly/3s8VWi8) and their applicability to the SSYP will be referenced, as well as question-answers being incorporated into the document.

Guidance Versioning

• April 11-12, Initial Guidance published for the member schools
• April 12, Online Seminar to answer questions via KASA
• April 13, Online Seminar with Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council to answer questions and receive clarifications
• April 13, Online Seminar with Commissioner of Education in monthly Superintendent Update to answer questions and receive clarifications.
• April 13, Guidance Revised and Appended to reflect a specific combination of circumstances regarding returning seniors, as well as clarifications and information on students participating in spring football practice and the tryout windows in Cheer and Dance for 2021-22.

Timeline and Process

• Students have until May 1 to submit a request to their local board of education to participate in the SSYP program. Any contemplated waivers to the eligibility provisions of the KHSAA for students participating in the SSYP, including KHSAA Bylaws 2 through 14, shall be available only to those enrolled in the approving district on or prior to May 1;
• The local board has until June 1 to decide whether to accept all requests or no requests. These student requests – and the district’s all-or-none decision -– apply only to students enrolled in the district on May 1, 2021.
• Each member school of the KHSAA within each local Board of Education approving the SSYP will report to the KHSAA the names of students impacted by this decision based on the approved requests, per the instructions listed in this information.
• It should be noted that the KHSAA does not have the authority under (this new law) to waive statutes or regulations that are adopted to incorporate the provisions of statutes.
• Specific language regarding the waiver of regulations (including the KHSAA Bylaws that are incorporated by reference as part of702 KAR 7:065) will be provided through the annual regulatory process for the KHSAA designation as the athletic agent through KRS 156.070.

Impact of and on Bylaw 2 (Age)

• SSYP students will not be granted a waiver of the statutory age rule. Specific within the (new law) were provisions that the age limitation (age 19 before August 1) is not to be waived.
• The current restriction on age is not only a KHSAA bylaw that is incorporated by reference into702 KAR 7:065, but is also statute with extremely limited reasons for waiver contained inKRS 156.070.
• The KHSAA does not have the authority to waive statutory provisions.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • The provisions in 702 KAR 7:065, implemented originally solely due to health and safety concerns, remain in place as written.

Impact of and on Bylaw 3 (Maximum Number of Years)

• All students approved to utilize the provisions of the SSYP who are enrolled in grades 9 through 12 during the 2020-21 school year, will have the limit of four years extended to five per the provisions of (the new law).
• Students below grade 9 during the 2020-21 school year will continue to have four years of eligibility upon enrollment in grade 9 as the SSYP year is not impactful on this rule.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • None

Impact of and on Bylaw 4 (Enrollment Requirements)

• Sec. 1 and Sec 2, require full-time enrollment.
  • All students desiring participation at any high school level, including seniors who have earned graduation credit, shall be full-time enrolled in the member school (taking and passing four hours of approved secondary courses).
• Sec 1, enrolled in or above grade nine (9)-
  • Students enrolled at or above grade nine, if approved to utilize the SSYP, may participate at the varsity level (practice or play) in all sports and sport-activities, even while repeating the grade.
• Sec. 2, enrolled below grade nine (9)-
  • Students enrolled in grades 7 or 8, if approved to utilize the SSYP, may participate at the varsity level (practice or play) in all sports and sport-activities except for soccer and football, even while repeating the grade.
  • Students enrolled in grades 7 or 8, even if approved utilize the SSYP, may not participate at the varsity level (practice or play) in soccer or football.
• Sec 3, repeating students participating at the high school level
  • Students enrolled at or above grade nine, if approved to utilize the SSYP, may participate at the varsity level (practice or play) in all sports and sport-activities, even while repeating the grade.
  • Students enrolled in grades 7 or 8, if approved to utilize the SSYP, may participate at the varsity level (practice or play) in all sports and sport-activities except for soccer and football, even while repeating the grade.
  • Students who were repeating during the 2020-21 school year and approved to utilize the SSYP shall continue to be considered a repeating student and subject to the appropriate restrictions and allowances.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • Provisions regarding repeating students were repealed during the 2019-20 school year and these provisions are local jurisdiction including actions by each school, school district, conference, or association of schools.

Impact of and on Bylaw 5, Minimum Academic Requirement

• Sec. 1, First Day Credit Requirements and Reinstatement of those failing to meet that requirement.
  • The first-day “credit check”, detailed in Sec. 1, is waived for all participants in sports and sport-activities for the 2021-22 school year, with or without SSYP approval within the school district.
  • The first-day “credit check”, detailed in Sec. 1 will be in place for all students beginning with the start of the 2022-23 school year.
  • Member schools are expected to implement a local policy that would ensure that students are “on track” to graduate at the start of the 2021-22 school year, based on local district requirements.
• Sec. 2, Continual progress during the school year.
  • The requirement of continual progress each week continues to be in place, even for students in the SSYP.
• Sec. 3 and Sec. 4 are not impacted by the SSYP.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  1. Provisions regarding repeating students were repealed during the 2019-20 school year and these provisions are local jurisdiction including actions by each school, school district, conference, or association of schools.

Impact of and on Bylaw 6, Transfer Rule-Citizens of the US and DC and others previously enrolled in member schools

• The program is not an exception to Bylaw 6, and acceptance or declination of the SSYP as contemplated in (the new law) is not a reason for waiver of the period of ineligibility.
• Students desiring to transfer from a school in a district that has not approved the SSYP to a school in a district that has approved the SSYP must meet the standards of the transfer rule as detailed.
• Any student who has been ineligible to the provisions of Bylaw 6 during the 2020-21 school year shall have that time counted against any required period of ineligibility per Bylaw 6 and shall not have to have that time period again.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • None (unless competing for a high school team)

Impact of and on Bylaw 7, Transfer Rule, Students J-1/F-1 status

• Students entering a member school under the provisions of Bylaw 7 and approved as an SSYP student shall have the 2021-22 school year considered as their first year for the purposes of Bylaw 7.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • None (unless competing for a high school team)

Impact of and on Bylaw 8, Transfer Rule, Non-US Students Not having J-1/F-1 Status

• Students entering a member school under the provisions of Bylaw 8 and approved as an SSYP student shall have the 2021-22 school year considered as their first year for the purposes of Bylaw 8.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • None (unless competing for a high school team)

Impact of and on Bylaw 9, Basketball/Football Contestant on Other Teams, Postseason and All-Star Games

• Students choosing to utilize the SSYP and approved by the local Board of Education shall be considered enrolled in the first year of the grade in which they are enrolled for the 2021-22 school year, and all such restrictions (and allowances) of that grade shall apply.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • None

Impact of and on Bylaw 10, Amateur and Awards

• None at the high school or middle school level
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • None

Impact of and on Bylaw 11, Financial Aid

• None at the high school or middle school level
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • None

Impact of and on Bylaw 12, Physical Examination, Parent Consent and Insurance

• None at the high school or middle school level
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • None as this is already required and continues

Impact of and on Bylaw 13, Agreement Regarding Professional Baseball Contracts

• None at the high school or middle school level
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • None

Impact of and on Bylaw 14, Other Eligibility Requirements and Regulations

• All students in the SSYP, including graduated students, are considered secondary students.
• If designated in the SSYP program, these SSYP students will not be considered to be a graduate for the purposes or application of Bylaw 14.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL APPLICABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VS. MIDDLE SCHOOL COMPETITION
  • None

Records of Students Utilizing the SSYP

• All schools must indicate through the online system, which if any students are utilizing the SSYP.
• Each member school shall designate, on or before June 16, each student that will be using 2021-2022 as part of the SSYP through the KHSAA online roster system.
• These records shall be available solely to the local school individuals with Principal, Designated Representative, Athletic Director, or Superintendent login authority, and shall be considered private records not subject to other public disclosure.

NCAA Implications

• Athletes contemplating participating in athletics should be aware that there could be issues relative to initial eligibility for those seeking initial eligibility certification.
• At this time, representatives of the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center continue to caution that “In Division I, if you do not graduate on time (in four years/ eight semesters), the NCAA Eligibility Center will still use your grades and coursework for the first four years/eight semesters for your certification. You will still need to provide proof of graduation (once you graduate) and you may not use any coursework taken after your high school graduation toward your certification.”
• For this reason, prospective NCAA athletes should be referred to material such as the “Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete” and the “NCAA Eligibility Center COVID-19 Response FAQs” for specific questions.

Impact of and on 2020-21 Seniors Choosing to participate in the SSYP

• To participate in interscholastic athletics, students in the SSYP, even if having met the local district options for graduation, must be enrolled as a full-time student in at least four hours of instruction, taking new courses, or repeat/supplemental coursework under the provisions of (the new law).
• To participate in interscholastic athletics, SSYP students must be enrolled as a full-time student as detailed above, in at least four hours of instruction, both in the current semester (Bylaw 4) and the preceding semester (credit period) (Bylaw 5).
• Enrollment status as dual-enrolled or dual-credit shall not be a factor in athletic eligibility.
• It should also be noted that like all other students, in order to be eligible according to Bylaw 5, these students must have been enrolled as a full-time student during the previous semester and therefore students desiring spring sport participation may not do so if they are not full-time enrolled during the previous semester (or trimester if applicable).

Impact of and on 2020-2021 Seniors for the Spring Football Practice and Tryout Windows for 2021-22 Activity Squads

• Provided the student has made a written application in accordance with Board of Education and school system directions, he/she would be eligible to participate in spring football practice as defined in Bylaw 23, or the two-week tryout periods in Cheer and Dance.
• If the local Board of Education were to subsequently fail to formally approve the application of the supplemental year for students in your district in accordance with (the new law), these students must immediately cease team involvement.

Impact of and on 2021-2022 SSYP students on enrollment and classification numbers

• The second-month enrollment for 2021-2022 will be counted as the enrollment for both 2021-22 and 2020-21 in calculating the four-year average enrollment for when classification numbers are determined for track & field / cross country and football.

https://khsaa.org/senate-bill-128-supplemental-school-year-program-guidance-for-sports-and-sport-activities/

[theguru]

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[Tigerpride94]

Interesting about the NCAA implications since can’t improve academic situation as far as NCAA clearinghouse.

[WKY_Football]

2 hours ago, Tigerpride94 said:

Interesting about the NCAA implications since can’t improve academic situation as far as NCAA clearinghouse.

That’s what should have been ironed out before everything was passed. Kids are getting a free athletic year is basically what it boils down to. 
 

Afraid it will cause a huge trickle down affect to other grade levels. I can’t see the larger school districts allowing it in the end though but you never know. 

[The Flea Market]

If one school district does not allow it, it appears a legal transfer can be made and a player can be eligible???

[PurplesFan]

Again, it won’t be many athletes that do this but there will be some! We may be surprised that a few of these athletes that take advantage of this will be kids that were huge contributors to their team last season. 

According to the official document, it shouldn’t be too much longer until general public/fans learn if any kids will be 5th year seniors. 
 

I’m sure if any kids decide to stay (if their school board approves) that we will start seeing threads in this forum mentioning the names of players/schools.

The “off-season” thread of Bluegrass Preps may be a bit more active with posts this summer!

 

 

[LoudenSwain]

My head just exploded trying to read your entire post. 😂👍

[MBKT]

3 hours ago, The Flea Market said:

If one school district does not allow it, it appears a legal transfer can be made and a player can be eligible???

No. If a school/school district does not allow the do over program, the student has the “right” to re do the school year at a school/school district that does allow it, but, there is no right for that student to play varsity sports at the new school (assuming he/she played varsity sports at the old school) UNLESS the student qualifies for a standard KHSAA transfer exception. 

[okie1]

8 hours ago, MBKT said:

No. If a school/school district does not allow the do over program, the student has the “right” to re do the school year at a school/school district that does allow it, but, there is no right for that student to play varsity sports at the new school (assuming he/she played varsity sports at the old school) UNLESS the student qualifies for a standard KHSAA transfer exception. 

With the time lines set forth by KHSAA if player A puts his name down to repeat at school B by May 1st, then transfers to school C...if it is a legal transfer in the minds of KHSAA, with the student athlete be eligible?

[DearToday]

1 hour ago, okie1 said:

With the time lines set forth by KHSAA if player A puts his name down to repeat at school B by May 1st, then transfers to school C...if it is a legal transfer in the minds of KHSAA, with the student athlete be eligible?

The student has to put his exception in at the school that he is enrolled in. The student would need to be at School C and put the exception in at school C by May 1st. 

[okie1]

1 hour ago, DearToday said:

The student has to put his exception in at the school that he is enrolled in. The student would need to be at School C and put the exception in at school C by May 1st. 

That's how I read the rule...so if you want to transfer and play somewhere next year and get the extra year...you have 2 weeks to make a move!

[NKYPrepSportsFan]

How many districts do you think will actually vote to allow the SSYP?

From what I have heard, I think that Fort Thomas Independent Schools (Highlands) has already voted NO.  
 

It seems to me that districts/boards that vote YES will have potentially have an advantage over those that vote NO.

[Tigerpride94]

23 hours ago, NKYPrepSportsFan said:

How many districts do you think will actually vote to allow the SSYP?

From what I have heard, I think that Fort Thomas Independent Schools (Highlands) has already voted NO.  
 

It seems to me that districts/boards that vote YES will have potentially have an advantage over those that vote NO.

JCPS is a yes.

[Runcible Owl]

Tigerpride94 with the scoop on JCPS. 🌟

From Tuesday's Louisville Courier-Journal ~ 

Want to redo this school year? Here's how to request a 'do-over' year at JCPS

"Jefferson County Public Schools students can now request an extra year in school to make up for a year spent in virtual learning."

"A little over 100 students have requested an extra year so far, a district spokeswoman said Tuesday."

Questions:

The deadline is a week from Saturday; how many JCPS student-athletes will take advantage of this? Have any JCPS coaches gone on record about the new policy? 

For those not in Louisville, which schools and/or teams will most likely have returning athletes? Is all of this a big deal, little deal, or no deal?

I don't see this having much of an impact on sports outside of football and boys basketball. Am I wrong?

Olivia Krauth's article for the C-J ~

https://amp.courier-journal.com/amp/7187005002?__twitter_impression=true

[Tigerpride94]