PRINTER'S NO. 2648
No. 306 Session of 1997
INTRODUCED BY McILHATTAN, CAPPABIANCA, DeWEESE, JAROLIN, PESCI,
HENNESSEY, BELARDI, SHANER, HERSHEY, YOUNGBLOOD, C. WILLIAMS,
PIPPY, PETRARCA, FICHTER, LAUGHLIN, McGILL, ADOLPH, HALUSKA,
SEYFERT, MANDERINO, SAINATO, KENNEY, M. COHEN, STEVENSON,
READSHAW, ORIE, HORSEY, ARMSTRONG, MELIO, BOSCOLA, TRELLO AND
RAMOS, DECEMBER 1, 1997
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, DECEMBER 1, 1997
A RESOLUTION
1 Urging the National Collegiate Athletic Association to adopt
2 academic policies and practices that provide accommodation
3 for learning disabled students.
4 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives believes that learning
5 disabled students have been unfairly precluded by the National
6 Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from participation in
7 postsecondary athletics due to curriculum standards; and
8 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives supports the notion
9 that appropriate secondary and graduation standards be used to
10 determine eligibility for participation in postsecondary
11 athletic activities; and
12 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives believes that these
13 standards are best set at the state and local school district
14 level rather than by the NCAA; and
15 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives believes that errors
16 have been made by the NCAA in disapproving eligibility for
1 participation in athletic activities and scholarships for many
2 learning disabled students who have met rigorous academic
3 standards established by their state's and local school
4 districts; and
5 WHEREAS, As a result of the policies and practices of the
6 NCAA, numerous learning disabled students who rightfully met all
7 state and local school district academic requirements for
8 graduation and participation in athletics have not been able to
9 receive financial assistance through athletic scholarships
10 necessary for them to attend college; therefore be it
11 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the NCAA to
12 work with the National Association of State Boards of Education
13 to formulate appropriate academic standards for participation in
14 postsecondary athletics which recognize state and local school
15 district requirements and make accommodations for learning
16 disabled students; and be it further
17 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
18 the NCAA and the National Association of State Boards of
19 Education.
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