<p>I’ve just read the thread about Texas schools who are paying students to pass AP tests and there’s something contradictory about it. I remember–years ago–Texas was quite strict with their athletes who ‘earned’ money. If they accepted money for anything related to sports, they lost their eligibility and their interscholastic sports career was over. I’m just wondering if that has changed or if there is a double-standard…It’s now OK to make money if you pass a standardized test, but it’s not OK to receive a small amount of money for winning a community road race?? </p>
<p>This policy was something coaches really emphasized to their players. They weren’t allowed to accept money for anything related to sports. I knew of a girl, an outstanding basketball player with hopes of playing in college, who won a small amount of money at a barrell-racing event, something totally unrelated to her school sport. She was forced to return the rodeo money within 48 hours or risk losing her elibibility for basketball! The idea behind the policy was that if you received money, you were considered a professional, not an amateur high school athlete! Granted that was a few (!!) years ago (probably closer to 25!), but the change strikes me as odd. Perhaps it was an isolated case or perhaps they’ve totally thrown out those concerns?? </p>
<p>I’m wondering if anybody with first-hand experience in the Lone Star State can shed some light…</p>
<p>Yes, but there are academic UIL (the organization that governs sports and academics) competitions, and they don’t allow for money prizes, either, but kids can win scholarships from UIL. Perhaps AP tests are considered outside the pervue of UIL? Alhtough at our school, even non-UIL activites have eligibility rules, etc., to be met, since they can affect UIL eligibility. This seems like a fine line.</p>
<p>UIL – University Interscholastic League
The University Interscholastic League was created by The University of Texas at Austin to provide leadership and guidance to public school debate and athletic teachers. Since 1909 the UIL has grown into the largest inter-school organization of its kind in the world.
<a href=“http://www.uil.utexas.edu/about.html[/url]”>http://www.uil.utexas.edu/about.html</a></p>
<p>The UIL has absolutely nothing to do with academics or school governance outside of the contests it sponsors. It’s a league and participation is voluntary.</p>
<p>I think many states have rules that prohibit high school athletes from making money due to their sport or athletic prowess. The rules might even be NCAA (national), not state. I remember reading an example of prohibited activities - some seemed logical, ie a runner cannot accept prize money for winning a race, others seemed a bit odd - a tennis player could not earn money by giving tennis lessons at the country club. (Actually, I don’t remember if that was prohibited or permitted, so let’s just rate my contribution to this thread as… $0.00, so I maintain my amateur status! )</p>
<p>Isn’t it contradictory that ‘smart’ kids can earn money for being ‘smart’, ie doing well on a standardized test, but athletic kids can’t earn money for being athletic, ie winning a road race??. Maybe that wording is oversimplified or maybe I’m missing something! Guess the UIL is large and in charge, but it still seems wierd to me! Can a student be paid for a musical performance–you know weddings, funerals, etc–and then compete in a school music contest/program? As a team or as a part of a musical group??</p>
<p>As far as I know, students can participate in UIL for band or orchestra and make money through wedding performances and other gigs. I did, and so did many of my friends. If it’s against the rules, no one enforces them.</p>
<p>Well I was reading the article and it says that it is sponsered by Peter O’Donnell and it is for only 10 Dallas schools.
I think the rules are in place for athletes because they were seriously abused to the point of being crazy, so all athletes suffer as a result.</p>
<p>The better question is should we lift it and allow them to get courted by colleges and paid? It would get ugly, I suppose. Imagine parents fighting over high school endorsements?
When it comes to music and academics, there is really no “pull” like sports.</p>
<p>The idea is based on an 11-year-old Texas program begun by philanthropist Peter O’Donnell. In 10 Dallas high schools that pay the bonuses, the number of passing AP scores (3 or higher on a 5-point scale) has increased from 71 in 1995 to 877 in 2006.</p>
<p>Oh and HI to all…new here. However mostly a reader.</p>
<p><a href=“2”>quote</a> Awards Students May Receive. A student may not accept from any source other than the school attended or the school
district, any award in money, product, or service for competing in an **interschool contest **except as follows:
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This all about being paid for competing between schools, not playing weddings. Now if you could show that the only reason you got $5000 for a wedding gig is because you won state in marching band, then you and your school get penalized. It is primarily to limit recruiting between schools and to keep a more level playing field. If you could go buy a team, then only the rich win. Oh wait a minute, South Lake Carrol? So the rich do get richer by virtue of being a more desirable place to live and play, but UIL can’t do much about that.</p>