Subchapter M

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Subchapter M

Subchapter M. ELIGIBILITY

Section 400: STUDENT’S ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL UIL CONTESTS

Subject to the other sections of this subchapter, an individual is eligible to participate in a UIL varsity contest as a representative of a member school if that individual:

(a) is not a high school graduate (Refer to Section 405);

(b) is a full-time, day student in the member high school the student represents; or is a non-enrolled (home schooled) student seeking participation and is in compliance with all provisions included in section 33.0832 of the Texas Education Code (Refer to Section 406, academic exception, Official Interpretations 08-09-10, 99-04-20, 10-03-12 and 00-09-13, Appendix I).

(c) has been in regular attendance at the member school since the sixth class day of the present school year or has been in enrolled and in regular attendance for 15 or more calendar days before the contest or competition (student becomes eligible on the fifteenth day) (Refer to Section 407 and Official Interpretation 95-11-09, Appendix I);

(d) is in compliance with rules of the State Board of Education; (Refer to Section 404 and state law regarding credit requirements and grades (the school shall verify a student’s grades on the basis of the official grade report and independently of involvement by the student);

(e) has the required number of credits for eligibility during the first six weeks of school (Refer to Section 411);

(f) is enrolled in a four-year program of high school courses (Refer to Section 408);

(g) initially enrolled in the ninth grade not more than four years ago nor in the tenth grade not more than three years ago (Refer to Section 408 and Official Interpretation 07-04-18, Appendix I);

(h) was not recruited (Refer to Section 5 and Section 409);

(i) is not in violation of the Awards Rules (Refer to Section 480); and

(j) meets the specific eligibility requirements for UIL academic competition in Section 401, for music competition in Section 402, and/or for athletic competition in Section 403.

Section 401: ELIGIBILITY - ACADEMICS

Subject to the other sections of this subchapter, an individual is eligible to participate in a UIL varsity academic contest as a representative of a member school if that individual:

(a) meets all the requirements of Section 400; and

(b) did not change schools for the purpose of participating in a UIL academic contest.

(c) Charter Schools. For non-enrolled (home schooled) students, if the public independent school district where the parent(s) / guardian(s) of the student reside decides not to allow non-enrolled (home schooled) students to participate, the non-enrolled (home schooled) student could petition for participation at a charter school located within the boundaries of the independent school district where the parent(s) / guardian(s) of the student reside, if allowed by that charter school administration.

Section 402: ELIGIBILITY - MUSIC

Subject to the other sections of this subchapter, an individual is eligible to participate in a UIL varsity music contest as a representative of a member school if that individual:

(a) meets all the requirements of Section 400; and

(b) did not change schools for the purpose of participating in a UIL music contest.

(c) Charter Schools. For non-enrolled (home schooled) students, if the public independent school district where the parent(s) / guardian(s) of the student reside decides not to allow non-enrolled (home schooled) students to participate, the non-enrolled (home schooled) student could petition for participation at a charter school located within the boundaries of the independent school district where the parent(s) / guardian(s) of the student reside, if allowed by that charter school administration.

Section 403: ELIGIBILITY - ATHLETICS

Subject to the other sections of this subchapter, an individual is eligible to participate in a UIL varsity athletic contest as a representative of a member school if that individual:

(a) meets all the requirements of Section 400;

(b) is less than 19 years old on September 1 preceding the contest, or has been granted eligibility based on a disability which delayed his or her education by at least one year (See Section 446);

(c) did not change schools for athletic purposes (See Sections 5 and 443);

(d) is an amateur (See Section 441);

(e) was eligible according to Section 400 (c) (fifteen calendar day rule) and Section 403 (f) (residence rule) at the member school the student wishes to represent prior to the deadline for district certification (non-compliance results in ineligibility only in post-district competition in that sport); and

(f) is a resident of the member school district (See Section 442), and a resident of the attendance zone in which the member school being attended is situated:

(1) or has been continuously enrolled in and regularly attending the school for at least the previous calendar year if his or her parents do not reside within the school district’s attendance zone; Refer to (5) (B) below for exception. Note: A student who has changed schools for athletic purposes may be declared ineligible for more than one calendar year. Refer to Section 443 (f) (3). For students placed on a waiting list for admittance to an open enrollment charter school that is a member school, the earlier of the first day of enrollment or the first day of school for the school year following the date of application begins the time frame for compliance with the exception noted in this section.

(2) or the student is attending a school outside the attendance zone where the parents reside because the school board or other appropriate authority changed district or attendance zone lines.

(3) or is a transfer student from a public 8-grade ISD not containing a high school, who transferred at the first opportunity:

(A) to select a high school with geographical boundaries contiguous to his or her K-8 school;

(B) to a high school for which the K-8 school attended receives state transportation funds; or

(C) to the high school located nearest the student’s residence.

(4) Intra-District Transfers. A student who has an option to attend more than one high school within a school district, rather than being assigned to a school according to attendance zones, is eligible at the school first selected if he/she transfers at the first opportunity. If a student subsequently transfers to another school, the student is not eligible for varsity athletic competition until he/she has been in and regularly attended that school for at least the previous calendar year.

(5) Foreign Exchange Students.

(A) Foreign exchange students are ineligible for varsity athletic contests the first year they attend a member school unless they are granted a waiver of the parent residence rule as outlined in Sections 465 and 468.

(B) Foreign exchange students who receive a Foreign Exchange Waiver and participate in UIL varsity athletic contests during their first year in the host school may not participate in those same contests if they return for a second year to the host school. The student may, however, participate in any other UIL varsity sport.

Refer to Official Interpretations 01-09-18 and 10-03-12, Appendix I

(6) Charter Schools:.

(A) Students whose parents live within the boundaries of an independent school district where a charter high school is located and opt to attend the charter high school at their first opportunity to select a high school and are otherwise in compliance with varsity eligibility requirements, are eligible. If a student subsequently transfers to another school within the boundaries of the independent school district, the student is not eligible for varsity athletic competition until he/she has been in and regularly attended that school for at least the previous calendar year.

(B) Students whose parents live within the independent school district where the charter school is located, who do not select the charter high school at their first opportunity, are ineligible for varsity athletic competition unless they have been enrolled in and regularly attending the charter high school for at least the previous calendar year.

(C) Students whose parents reside outside the boundaries of the independent school district where the charter school is located are ineligible for varsity athletic competition unless they have been enrolled in and regularly attending the charter school for at least the previous calendar year.

(D) Charter Schools. For non-enrolled (home schooled) students, if the public independent school district where the parent(s) / guardian(s) of the student reside decides not to allow non-enrolled (home schooled) students to participate, the non-enrolled (home schooled) student could petition for participation at a charter school located within the boundaries of the independent school district where the parent(s) / guardian(s) of the student reside, if allowed by that charter school administration.

(7) A student who has established varsity eligibility under this section at a member school but who subsequently changed schools to another member school zone and is found to have changed schools for an impermissible reason, remains eligible at the school where eligibility was first established without the need of a waiver. A student must reenroll in the school where eligibility was previously established within thirty (30) days of being found ineligible at the school the student moved to for this provision to apply. The Executive Director or his or her designee may inquire into such cases and may make a determination regarding a student’s qualification for this exception to the parent residence rule.

(8) This section and the rules cited herein shall be interpreted and applied to the extent reasonably possible so that, absent a specific sanction barring athletic participation, a student who meets basic varsity athletics eligibility requirements should have UIL varsity athletics eligibility at a UIL member school. This is a general rule of construction that may be impacted by the facts of a given case.

Section 404: STATE LAW

(a) Interpretation of State Law. The Commissioner of the Texas Education Agency delegated hearing authority over matters pertaining to the enforcement of applicable state law to the UIL. UIL staff opinions should be requested on all state laws relating to UIL eligibility, and rules and regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education or the Texas Education Agency regarding the following as they apply to UIL eligibility:

(1) grades;
(2) credit requirements;
(3) number of contests per school week;
(4) limit on practice and performance per school week; and
(5) limit on school year absences for extracurricular activities.

(b) sources of information. In addition to calling or writing UIL staff, the UIL publishes a manual available to member schools entitled TEA-UIL Side By Side that contains interpretations and answers to frequently asked questions. It is available on request, and is on the UIL website.

(c) VENUE. In accordance with Texas Education Code 67.26, any lawsuit filed against the UIL shall be filed in Travis County.

Section 405: HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE

(a) COMPLETION OF HIGH SCHOOL. A person is considered a high school graduate if that person received a diploma or other certificate signifying successful completion of high school from a high school or other institution of equal or higher rank, participated as a graduate in the graduation exercises of a high school, or complied with the requirements for graduation during a four-year program, whether or not the student participated in the graduation exercises. However, a student who has accumulated enough credits to satisfy graduation requirements prior to the end of four years, but remains in school as a full time student, is not considered a high school graduate under this rule.

(b) GED TESTING PROGRAM. A student who receives an equivalency credential based on the General Education Development Testing Program is not considered a high school graduate, if that student remains in or returns to high school, and has not otherwise met the requirements for high school graduation.

(c) This section shall not disqualify a contestant who is eligible in all other respects at the time of spring graduation. This exception refers only to contestants whose UIL competition extends into the summer from the end of the school year.

Section 406: FULL-TIME DAY STUDENT

A person is considered a full-time day student if that person:

(a) is enrolled and attends classes in a member school for which the current year’s membership fee has been paid, or is enrolled in the ninth grade or tenth grade on a campus separate from the high school, and who will, by school district policy and not by choice, attend a specific high school (Refer to Official Interpretation 05-09-01, Appendix I);

(b) is enrolled in the number of courses required by state law and by rules of the State Board of Education; and

(c) is in compliance with written transfer and admission policies of the local school district.

(d) Subject to local school district discretion, students attending non disciplinary ‘alternative’ schools such as magnet or ISD charter schools within the same independent school district that do not offer UIL participation opportunities, may be in compliance with this section and eligible to participate in the division (Academics, Athletics, Music) of UIL activities not offered at the non disciplinary ‘alternative’ school. A student’s eligibility under these circumstances would be at the school the student would attend based on the residence of the parent’s of the student and/or the school the student would attend by school district policy if they were not enrolled in the non disciplinary ‘alternative’ school. (Refer to Official Interpretation: Exception: 18-08-14 Section 406(d) immediately following 10-03-12 Section 400 (b) 403 and 406.

(e) A student participating in UIL activities at a member school under (d) above or official State Executive Committee Interpretation 10-03-12 or 00-09-13 could do so by completing and filing the Non-Disciplinary Alternative School Student Participation Form with the applicable school, District Executive Committee and the UIL office prior to said participation.

(f) Is a non-enrolled (home schooled) student seeking participation and is in compliance with all provisions included in section 33.0832 of the Texas Education Code.

Section 407: REGULAR ATTENDANCE

(a) A student is in regular attendance even though he or she is absent for 10 class days or less after enrolling in school because of illness or other unavoidable cause, if the parent or guardian submits a written statement certifying this as the reason for the absence and the principal approves the absence.

(b) Except for an otherwise eligible student who is a dependent of a parent or guardian who is active duty military, a student who does not enroll in and attend school within the first six class days is ineligible to participate until the 15th day after enrollment and attendance. In each case where applicable, the superintendent or their designee shall certify to the appropriate District Executive Committee that, based on reasonable evidence, the active duty military exception noted above applies.

(c) Students who are in an alternative program under Texas Education Code, Section 37.006 may resume UIL participation on the first day they return to regular classes, with local school district approval.

(d) A non-enrolled (home schooled) student seeking participation, who is in compliance with all provisions included in section 33.0832 of the Texas Education Code would not be subject to this rule.

Section 408: FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM OF HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

(a) A student may participate in UIL contests during a program of high school courses over a period of four consecutive years after the student first enrolls in the ninth grade. A student is considered to be enrolled in the ninth grade the day of that student’s registration as a ninth grader and attendance in a full class period (including an athletic period or practice) at the ninth grade level.

(b) Students who never entered the ninth grade but were placed into the tenth grade have three consecutive years from their first entry into tenth grade to complete their high school eligibility.

(c) Over-age eighth grade students who participate on the high school varsity athletic team have four consecutive years, including grade eight, to complete their high school athletic eligibility. Refer to Section 1478 (b).

Section 409: RECRUITING

Recruiting is not only a violation by the student who has been recruited, but it is also a violation by the school and/or the school district personnel who recruited the student. It is a violation to recruit at all grade levels.

Section 410: ELIGIBILITY BURDEN OF PROOF

(a) ELIGIBILITY. If a student’s eligibility to compete in a UIL contest is questioned, the student has the burden in any proceeding to establish by the preponderance of the evidence that he or she is eligible.

(b) ALLEGATIONS OF VIOLATIONS. If a District Executive Committee or the State Executive Committee determines that a complaint or report of a violation has enough validity or substance to hold a hearing, the burden by the preponderance of the evidence to disprove the allegations at issue rests with the member school, member school district or covered school district personnel charged with the violation.

Section 411: CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY DURING FIRST SIX WEEKS

The standards below determine academic eligibility for the first six weeks of the school year. Students in non-compliance may request a hardship appeal of their academic eligibility through the UIL.

(a) Grades Nine and Below. Students must have been promoted from the previous grade. (Refer to Official Interpretation 01-09-18 Appendix I).

(b) SECOND Year of HIGH School. Five accumulated credits that count toward state graduation requirements.

(c) THIRD Year of HIGH School. Ten accumulated credits that count toward state graduation requirements or student must have earned at least five credits within the last twelve months that count toward state graduation requirements.

(d) FOURTH Year of HIGH School. Fifteen accumulated credits that count toward state graduation requirements or student must have earned at least five credits within the last twelve months that count toward state graduation requirements.

(e) NON-ENROLLED (HOME SCHOOLED) STUDENTS. A non-enrolled (home schooled) student seeking participation for the first six weeks must demonstrate grade-level academic proficiency on any nationally recognized, norm-referenced assessment instrument, such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Stanford Achievement Test, California Achievement Test, or comprehensive test of basic skills prior to the first day of school. A non-enrolled student demonstrates the required Four-Year Program of High School Courses academic proficiency by achieving a composite, core or survey score that is within the average or higher than average range of scores, as established by the applicable testing service. For purposes of this bisection, a school district shall accept assessment results administered or reported by a third party.

Section 412: ACCOMODATIONS FOR DISABILITY

Students with disabilities as defined by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and/or Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act, who are currently being served under either or those acts, may apply to the UIL staff for accommodations to applicable contest rules or playing rules. Contact the UIL office or visit the UIL website for details and an application.

SECTIONS 441-446 APPLY ONLY TO ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

Section 441: AMATEUR ATHLETIC STATUS 

The amateur rule starts the first class day of a student’s ninth grade year, and is in continuous effect during the school year and summer months until all athletic competitions are completed in the 12th grade. The student at all times (whether in school or outside school) shall abide by the letter and intent of amateurism, as set forth in this section. Schools are charged with the responsibility of informing students of all applicable subsections of this rule and enforcing this rule. Administrators and coaches must ensure that athletes receive only services specifically permitted by written rule. Any breach of the rule undermines the educational goals of interscholastic athletics.

(a) NOT AN AMATEUR. For purposes of competing in an athletic contest, a student in grades 9-12 is not an amateur if that individual, within the preceding 12 months: 

(1) except as provided otherwise in this section, received money or other valuable consideration for participating in a UIL sponsored school sport;

(2) received valuable consideration for allowing his or her name to be used in promoting a product, plan or service related to a UIL sport or contest; or 

(3) accepted money or other valuable consideration from school booster club funds for any non-school purpose.

(4) For the purposes of this section, “participating” means taking part or playing any role in the covered sport or otherwise being involved in any practice, game or contest of the covered sport, as a coach, player, manager, assistant, or any other involvement besides that of a spectator. A game or activity involving chance not sponsored by the UIL but that may also involve a student using some athletic skill or ability does not constitute “participating” under this section. Such a game or activity would be a “half-court shot” contest as part of a marketing program or throwing balls at a target for a prize. “Teaching” and ‘coaching” are synonymous terms.

(5) For the purposes of this section a “UIL sponsored school sport” is any sport that is sponsored by the UIL as either a regular approved UIL activity or pilot program and that is made available through the school the student attends. For example, baseball is a UIL sponsored sport and is covered by this rule, regardless of the level of competition involved or organization that is administering the game in which the sport is played.

(b) EXCEPTIONS:

(1) Students may accept reasonable fees that do not exceed local prevailing rates for teaching or coaching activities.

(2) Students may accept reasonable fees that do not exceed local prevailing rates for officiating athletic contests.

(3) Seniors may sign a letter of intent or scholarship agreement which contains the conditions of a scholarship with a postsecondary institution.

(4) For purposes of competing in an athletic contest, the member school, school district or a student’s parent(s) may provide medical examination and services, athletic insurance, transportation and other travel expenses incurred in competing away from home, or supplies and services during and in connection with a game or practice period. Jerseys or game shirts may be worn on game day as well as during practice or competition, with school district approval.

(5) Participant schools and member school districts may permit student athletes to attend contests by permit admission through a pass gate.

(6) A student-athlete in grades 9-12 may accept funds that are administered by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) or other national governing body.

(7) Student athletes may accept small “goodie bags” consisting of cookies, candy and symbolic gifts from their classmates, if allowed by local school policy.

(8) Student athletes may accept travel expenses and attend free banquets in connection with an awards ceremony to accept a national and/or state-wide award, after completing their eligibility in that sport.

(9) Meals. The local school district determines when, how and from whom student athletes can receive meals and snacks.

(10) This rule is sport-specific. For example if a student violates the rule in one sport that student would be ineligible for that sport only.

(c) STATUS REGAINED. If a student did not realize that accepting the valuable consideration was a violation of the amateur rule and returns the valuable consideration within 30 days after being informed of the violation, that student may regain athletic eligibility as of the date the valuable consideration is returned. If a student fails to return it within 30 days, that student remains ineligible for one year from when he or she accepted it. During the period of time a student is in possession of valuable consideration, he or she is ineligible for varsity athletic competition in the sport in which the violation occurred. Any games or contests in which the student participated during that time would be forfeited as the minimum penalty.

(d) TEAM VIOLATION. If the team violates this section, the penalty shall be assessed against the team and not against each individual.

Section 442: RESIDENCE IN SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ATTENDANCE ZONE 

This section applies to the first calendar year of attendance in grades 9-12 and to a non-enrolled (home schooled) student seeking participation in accordance with section 33.0832 of the Texas Education Code. Parent(s) in the context of this rule means parents or adoptive parents who adopted the student prior to the student’s first entry in the ninth grade.

(a) PRESUMPTION OF RESIDENCE OF STUDENT, PARENT(S), SPOUSE. The residence of a single, divorced or widowed student is presumed to be that of the parents of the student. The residence of a married student is presumed to be that of his or her spouse.

(b) GUARDIAN OF PERSON. If a student’s parents are alive but a guardian of his or her person was appointed by appropriate authority and recorded in the county clerk’s office more than one year ago, the residence of the student is presumed to be that of the guardian if the student has continuously resided with the guardian for a calendar year or more. If no legal guardianship has been taken out, three years’ residence with and support of a contestant establishes guardianship within the meaning of this rule.

(c) GUARDIAN. If a student’s parents are dead and a guardian of his or her person has been appointed by appropriate authority, the residence of the student is presumed to be that of the guardian.

(d) Relative; Supporter. If a student’s parents are dead and a guardianship of his or her person has not been appointed, the residence of the student is presumed to be that of the grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult brother or sister or other person with whom the student is living and by whom the student is supported.

(e) CUSTODIAL. The residence of a student assigned by appropriate authority to a foster home (or in kinship placement, as provided for in Chapter 264; Subchapter K, Tex. Family Code, in lieu of foster care) or a home licensed by the state as a childcare boarding facility, or placed in a home by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Texas Juvenile Justice Department or an equivalent state agency, is presumed to be at the home or facility to which the student has been placed. If a student’s parent(s) move the student to a foster home in another school district, the student is not eligible, but may apply for a waiver. The residence of a student placed in a home or residential facility that is affiliated with a special purpose school district as outlined in Section 11.351 of the Texas Education Code is presumed to be at the special school district-affiliated home or residential facility where the student is placed. A student in managing conservatorship as noted in this section, who is determined to meet varsity eligibility requirements and is subsequently relocated by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Texas Juvenile Justice Department or an equivalent state agency, to a placement outside the current school’s attendance zone, would not lose varsity eligibility under this section as long as they remain enrolled in the school.

(f) DIVORCED PARENTS. The residence of a student whose parents are divorced is presumed to be that of either parent.

(g) SEPARATED PARENTS.

(1) If a student’s parents separate (and are not divorced), and if one parent remains in the attendance zone where the student has been attending school, the student’s residence is presumed to be that of the parent who did not move.

(2) If a student transfers to a new school with a separated (but not divorced) parent, the student is ineligible for one calendar year, but may apply for a waiver.

(3) Parents who have been separated for at least the previous three consecutive years would be considered as ‘divorced’ for purposes of this rule.

(h) MILITARY PARENT(S); PEACE OFFICER PARENT(S); EDUCATOR PARENT(S).

1. A student whose parent is active military and receives a permanent change of station to a military base with a special purpose school district, or whose parent has been released into retirement by the Department of Defense for a reason other than a dishonorable discharge and the student enrolls in the special purpose school district on a military base at the student’s first opportunity, is considered in compliance with this rule.
2. A student whose parent is a ‘servicemember’ as defined in section 25.0344 of the Texas Education Code (TEC), and transfers to a new school as outlined in TEC 25.0344 at first opportunity, and is otherwise in compliance with eligibility rules, is considered in compliance with this rule.
3. A student whose parent is a ‘peace officer’ as referenced in section 25.0344 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) (definition in section 1701.001, occupations code), and transfers to a new school as outlined in TEC 25.0344 at first opportunity, and is otherwise in compliance with eligibility rules, is considered in compliance with this rule.
4. A student whose parent is hired for a full-time position requiring a certificate from the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) at a member independent school district (ISD) or member charter school organization and transfers to a new school in the ISD or the charter school in which the parent is employed, at first opportunity, and is otherwise in compliance with eligibility rules, is considered in compliance with this rule, with local school district approval.

(i) CRITERIA OF RESIDENCE. The intent of this section is to ensure that unless circumstances fit one of the exceptions above, any relocation of residence is a complete and permanent move for the family. The residence shall be the domicile which is a fixed, permanent and principal home for legal purposes. The residence is not bona fide under UIL rules unless it complies with all of the following criteria.

(1) Does the student’s parent, guardian or other person whose residence determines the student’s residence own a house or condominium or rent a house, apartment or other living quarters in the school district and attendance zone? Parents or guardians must provide documentation to verify the purchase, lease or rental of a home located in the new attendance zone. A lease agreement or rental agreement should be for a reasonable duration.

(2) Does the student and the parent or guardian have their furniture and personal effects in the district and attendance zone? There should be no personal effects or furniture belonging to the family in the previous residence.

(3) Does the student and the parent or guardian receive their mail (other than office mail) in the district and attendance zone? The family should have submitted a change of mailing address to the Post Office.

(4) Are the parents or guardians registered to vote in the district and attendance zone? If either of the parents or guardians was registered to vote at the previous address, they should have applied for a new voter registration card at the new address.

(5) Do the parents or guardians regularly live in the district and attendance zone and intend to live there indefinitely? The new residence should accommodate the entire family. The former house should be on the market at a reasonable market price or sold, or the lease or rental agreement terminated. All utilities and telephone service should be disconnected or no longer in the family’s name. All licensed drivers in the household should have complied with DPS regulations for changing their address.
(6) Are the parents or guardians required to live in the district and attendance zone for the first calendar year? If the parents or guardians of a contestant move from the district or school zone before the student has been in attendance for one year, the student loses athletic eligibility in the school district from which the parents or guardians move, and remains ineligible there for varsity athletics until a year is up.

Section 443: CHANGING SCHOOLS FOR ATHLETIC PURPOSES 

(a) Determination by district executive committee. The District Executive Committee is to determine whether or not a student changed schools for athletic purposes, when considering each student who changed schools and has completed the eighth grade, whether or not the student has represented a school in grades nine through twelve.

(b) Common Indicators. District Executive Committees should look closely to determine if a student is changing schools for any athletic purpose. Some common indicators committees should include in their considerations include, but are not limited to: checking to see if a student was recruited; ascertaining whether a student was in good standing in the previous school, either academically or in a sports program; determining if a student was unhappy with a coach in the previous school; determining if a student played on a non-school team and is transferring to the school where members of the non-school team attend; determining if a student played on a non-school team and is transferring to the school where the non-school team coach or a relative of the non-school team coach, is the school coach; and determining if a student received individual or team instruction from a school coach and is transferring to the school of that coach.

(c) INELIGIBLE. A student who changes schools for athletic purposes is not eligible to compete in varsity UIL athletic contest(s) at the school to which he or she moves for at least one calendar year, even if both parents move to the new school district attendance zone. Refer to (e) below.

(1) Exception:

(A) One time only, intra-district transfer students are eligible for one varsity athletic activity that was not offered at their previous school. The student must wait one calendar year before gaining eligibility for any other varsity athletic contest. If a student who has been granted participation under this section returns to the school in the attendance zone where the parents reside, a Previous Athletic Participation Form shall be furnished to the District Executive Committee, who will rule on the student’s eligibility at that school.

(d) LENGTH OF INELIGIBILITY. The District Executive Committee for the district into which the student moves shall determine when or if a student who moves for athletic purposes becomes eligible. Refer to (c) above and (f)(3) below.

(e) PREVIOUS ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FORM (PAPF). An individual is presumed to have changed schools for athletic purposes if he or she participated with his or her former school in any UIL athletic contest or practice in grades eight through twelve during any previous school year until:

(1) the student’s parents change their residence to the new school or attendance zone; (Refer to Section 442 (g) for a student who changes residence with a separated parent);

(2) a representative of the previous school sign a PAPF stating that the student was not recruited to the new school and did not change schools or attendance zones for athletic purposes;

(3) a representative of the new school signs a PAPF stating that the student was not recruited and is not changing schools for athletic purposes;

(4) the District Executive Committee approves the completed PAPF.

NOTE: The District Executive Committee is not bound to determining only the status of students who participated at another school the previous or current year, as it relates to changing schools for athletic purposes.

(f) ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION BY DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

(1) If the District Executive Committee where the student attends school finds that the student did not change schools for athletic purposes and meets all the criteria listed in Section 442, it shall declare the student eligible if he/she meets all other eligibility requirements.

(2) If the District Executive Committee where the student now attends school finds that the student did not change schools for athletic purposes, it may declare that student eligible even though the school district from which he or she moved refused to sign the PAPF. (Extreme caution should be used in granting eligibility under this condition.)

(3) If the District Executive Committee where the student now lives finds at any time that the change was made for athletic purposes, it shall declare that student ineligible to participate in athletic contests for one year. This may include a student who did not compete at the previous school. If the committee decides that the period of ineligibility should be longer than one year, the committee shall transfer the case to the State Executive Committee. Subject to Section 403 (f) and 463 (2)(A), a student who has established varsity eligibility under this section at a member school but who subsequently enrolls in another member school and is found to have changed schools for athletic purposes remains eligible at the school, where eligibility was first established.

(4) When officials from both the sending and receiving schools agree that a student changed schools for athletic purposes, the State Executive Committee will not hear or grant an appeal.

(g) Minimum Penalty. If a Previous Athletic Participation Form was not filed prior to competition and it was an inadvertent error and the student is actually eligible under Subchapter M of the Constitution, the District Executive Committee is not required to demand forfeiture or to rule the student ineligible. The committee may assess the minimum penalty of reprimand.

(h) NO PREVIOUS ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION FORM REQUIRED. The Previous Athletic Participation Forms are not required if the student did not practice or participate with his or her former school in grades eight through twelve or if the student was required to change schools because the school district or attendance zone lines were changed by the school board or other appropriate authority.

NOTE: (d) and (f) above speak to the applicability of the Previous Athletic Participation Form as it relates to students who have or have not represented another school in grades nine through twelve in either varsity or sub varsity competition. Section 403 (c) prohibits students from changing schools for athletic purposes.

Section 446: AGE 

(a) Proof of Age. Age shall be determined based on a student’s birth certificate. In cases where a student’s birth certificate is unavailable, other similar government documents used for the purpose of identification may be substituted.

(b) NINETEEN ON SEPTEMBER 1.

(1) Eligibility. A student who is nineteen on September 1 preceding the contest, and who initially enrolled in the ninth grade no more than four calendar years ago, and who prior to the end of his or her second year in high school was in special education, under the auspices of an ARD committee or identified as a 504 student by a 504 committee, is eligible to participate in a UIL varsity athletic contest as a representative of a member school if:

(A) the student has or had a disability which delayed his or her education for a year or more;

(B) the student is currently in special education and under the auspices of an ARD committee or is currently identified as a 504 student by a 504 committee, and

(C) the student has not already participated one extra year under this exception.

(2) Requirements. The requirements below are to be met by the superintendent. A student may apply for a waiver as outlined in Section 463 only if the superintendent does not submit proper verification.

(A) The following must be submitted to the superintendent of the school district for eligibility determination:

(i) Special education students must provide documentation of a special education status and documentation that a disability delayed their education by at least one year.

(ii) Students with a history of a disability must provide documentation from a 504 committee proving the existence and length of time of the disability that caused the delay of at least one year in their education.

(B) The superintendent must certify that the student has met eligibility requirements on a form prepared by the UIL office, and submit the completed form to the chair of the District Executive Committee. If a student is unable to obtain the required certification from the superintendent, the student may appeal the matter to the UIL Waiver Officer for disposition. (Refer to Section 463).

(3) District Executive Committee.

(A) The chair of the District Executive Committee will accept only completed certification forms. The following will be returned to the superintendent by the chair of the committee with eligibility denied:

(i) forms that do not certify that the student meets the requirements for eligibility;

(ii) forms that indicate that the student is not in compliance with the four-year rule and a waiver for that rule has not been granted, or

(iii) forms that contain any missing information or missing signatures.

(B) The District Executive Committee will verify completed certification forms and declare the student eligible for varsity competition.

(C) The student remains ineligible for varsity athletics unless and until all eligibility is verified by the District Executive Committee.