Coach Hoover
Sophomore Member
Assistant Coach, Ligonier Valley High School
Posts: 104 
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Post by Coach Hoover on Feb 17, 2014 18:01:40 GMT -6
Hello Coaches,
I am interviewing for my 1st HC job next week at my HS alma mater, where I coached as an assistant the past 2 years. I am currently completing my Program Manual and I am looking for effective solutions to managing my players academically. I am not a full-time teacher, but do work in the school in a substitute teacher and admin staff capacity, so I will be in the building and around the kids, but I want more than just "check grades weekly, if you don't pass, you don't play." I'm looking for sound ideas that will help keep my players committed to their academic responsibilities; ways to change and maintain their mindset to value their education.
Aside from the obvious grade checking, I had thought about placing players in smaller groupings that were responsible for helping each other out with school work. Each small grouping may include 1-2 superior academic students, along with 1 or 2 struggling students, and a few middle of the road students. There would be group repercussions if one of the group members did not meet their academic responsibilities. This, in essence, would help develop leadership qualities I am looking for, even if it's from an intelligent player who isn't one of our stars. You can never have enough leaders!
Otherwise, I truly do want our players to lead the district in academic performance. If you would, please share your experiences and methods below. I'll appreciate hearing all methods, thoughts and stories on this topic.
Thank you,
Coach Hoov
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coachgrob
Sophomore Member
Potential is just a cute way of saying you haven't done anything.
Posts: 202
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Post by coachgrob on Feb 17, 2014 18:11:01 GMT -6
We have a statewide policy. 2 f's you sit three weeks until next grade check. I like where you are going with the leadership part but punishing johnny 4.0 because he is in a group with a couple jack a$$es probably won't go over real well with johnnies parents.
I know coaches on here that have a 30min study session after school for the team until the out of building coaches get there. This would help show that you want grades to be a priority and you are willing to help them achieve it. Good luck with the interview!
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Post by nickferguson58 on Feb 17, 2014 18:25:49 GMT -6
I think that is a great idea.
I have been around programs that do similar groupings in regards to attendance and accountability and such but never academics. I have had good experiences with the groupings for those other issues
In college, we obviously had study tables which I do not necessarily believe are always feasible in high school unless you have a large support staff and hopefully some non-coach teachers who want to help.
What we also did, and I am a huge fan of, was that we introduced planning and time management strategies to all Freshman. We all had to keep a daily task list. Prioritized things A,B,C categories for "Needs Done Today", "Needs done sometime soon, can wait if it has to", and "I want to do this if I have time" We then would sub prioritize those things with numbers. So A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, C1, etc.
Literally prioritize everything. I would always put "play xbox" as C1. We also had to have a blocked out rigid weekly schedule with our time commitments such as class, eating, practice. Doubt that is really necessary for high-schoolers. We had to have those checked once a week by our position coach to make sure everything was filled out and responsibilities had been followed through on. After we had been in the program for one year, we were placed into different groups. Those with higher GPA's were exempt from the program as long as they kept their grades up. Still had to have prof. fill out class attendance and grade once every 5 weeks. Middle GPAs only had to do notebook checks every week and one day of study tables per week. . Lower GPAs had daily journal checks and study tables.
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Post by dytmook on Feb 17, 2014 18:31:45 GMT -6
We have a school standard of a 2.3 gpa that must be met which is above the state 2.0. If a student is below a 2.3 at the a quarter they can become eligible at the interim if their grades improve. I forget the total details as I am not in school all the time. But it's a nice policy because even if they are not school eligible they have a chance to get back in the game after missing half the season. I like that it is above the minimum standard. We also help kids who are in trouble with a study table.
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Post by coachbdud on Feb 17, 2014 18:41:30 GMT -6
pretty much everyone around here is 2.0
you can't lose a kid or gain a kid until the actual quarter or semester grades come out... no progress reports or wait a couple weeks or anything like that
most schools have a waiver (academic probation system)
up until 3 years ago, our school had no such waiver policy and 2 Fs meant you were automatically ineligible... I know school shouldn't be that hard, but when you're the only one in your league held to that standard it makes it tough
our new policy is if you have 1.6-1.99 you can go on a one time academic probation, the 2 F rule is gone
The change has helped, yeah a few turds might get to play, but I have seen being able to play with a 1.8 gpa (only 1 grade away) totally change a kid's life and help him turn it around
for some kids... sports are all they have and they don't have the support at home to be able to really succeed (food, lights, desk, supplies, computer) and the only reason they even attend school every day, is so they can play football after school
I've seen kids get a waiver, play, get their grades up, and their entire life gets turned around... I've seen kids not be eligible, never play again... and then the streets usually have them after that
I am all for giving kids chances
our 1.66 stipulation is unique, only us and the other school in our district (same city) have that... the other school's can use academic probation on any kid the principal will sign off on (theoretically a kid could have a 0.0 gpa and be allowed to play if principal will sign)
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Coach Hoover
Sophomore Member
Assistant Coach, Ligonier Valley High School
Posts: 104
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Post by Coach Hoover on Feb 17, 2014 18:58:30 GMT -6
We have a statewide policy. 2 f's you sit three weeks until next grade check. I like where you are going with the leadership part but punishing johnny 4.0 because he is in a group with a couple jack a$$es probably won't go over real well with johnnies parents. I know coaches on here that have a 30min study session after school for the team until the out of building coaches get there. This would help show that you want grades to be a priority and you are willing to help them achieve it. Good luck with the interview! Great point on Johnny 4.0 and his parents - great point indeed! I love the study session idea as well, as half of my staff would be "out of building" guys, and I know one for sure would have difficulty getting to practice by 3-3:15 each day. That extra 30 minutes might really help, and I might also be able to use some of that time to install the practice plan for the day with the team, as I plan on going quick through practice and teaching in the meeting room. The only issue I see is having practice wrapped up by the late activity bus, but I think it's manageable. Thank you very much! |
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Coach Hoover
Sophomore Member
Assistant Coach, Ligonier Valley High School
Posts: 104
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Post by Coach Hoover on Feb 17, 2014 19:41:17 GMT -6
I think that is a great idea. I have been around programs that do similar groupings in regards to attendance and accountability and such but never academics. I have had good experiences with the groupings for those other issues In college, we obviously had study tables which I do not necessarily believe are always feasible in high school unless you have a large support staff and hopefully some non-coach teachers who want to help. What we also did, and I am a huge fan of, was that we introduced planning and time management strategies to all Freshman. We all had to keep a daily task list. Prioritized things A,B,C categories for "Needs Done Today", "Needs done sometime soon, can wait if it has to", and "I want to do this if I have time" We then would sub prioritize those things with numbers. So A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, C1, etc. Literally prioritize everything. I would always put "play xbox" as C1. We also had to have a blocked out rigid weekly schedule with our time commitments such as class, eating, practice. Doubt that is really necessary for high-schoolers. We had to have those checked once a week by our position coach to make sure everything was filled out and responsibilities had been followed through on. After we had been in the program for one year, we were placed into different groups. Those with higher GPA's were exempt from the program as long as they kept their grades up. Still had to have prof. fill out class attendance and grade once every 5 weeks. Middle GPAs only had to do notebook checks every week and one day of study tables per week. . Lower GPAs had daily journal checks and study tables. Thanks for the feedback! I really like the Priority System....freshmen or grown adults, who can't benefit from something like that? Good stuff! Thank you! |
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Coach Hoover
Sophomore Member
Assistant Coach, Ligonier Valley High School
Posts: 104
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Post by Coach Hoover on Feb 17, 2014 19:42:31 GMT -6
We have a school standard of a 2.3 gpa that must be met which is above the state 2.0. If a student is below a 2.3 at the a quarter they can become eligible at the interim if their grades improve. I forget the total details as I am not in school all the time. But it's a nice policy because even if they are not school eligible they have a chance to get back in the game after missing half the season. I like that it is above the minimum standard. We also help kids who are in trouble with a study table. I believe we have a similar policy, which is somewhat effective as in 2 years we've only had 1 student miss time due to academics (and that young men had a whole host of other issues that could've resulted in him missing a lot more). I just want to raise the bar a bit, rather than say, "we'll just stick to the same old average routine". That's kind of the entire theme of my coaching philosophy in particular with my district. Thank you for the reply. |
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Post by dytmook on Feb 18, 2014 10:08:31 GMT -6
We have a school standard of a 2.3 gpa that must be met which is above the state 2.0. If a student is below a 2.3 at the a quarter they can become eligible at the interim if their grades improve. I forget the total details as I am not in school all the time. But it's a nice policy because even if they are not school eligible they have a chance to get back in the game after missing half the season. I like that it is above the minimum standard. We also help kids who are in trouble with a study table. I believe we have a similar policy, which is somewhat effective as in 2 years we've only had 1 student miss time due to academics (and that young men had a whole host of other issues that could've resulted in him missing a lot more). I just want to raise the bar a bit, rather than say, "we'll just stick to the same old average routine". That's kind of the entire theme of my coaching philosophy in particular with my district. Thank you for the reply. Last year was our first in the system and we had no major issues with it. Next year will be the first real test. Overall I like it because it raises the bar, but a mistake doesn't necessarily keep the kids out for the full season. |
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Post by pvogel on Feb 18, 2014 11:45:01 GMT -6
Couple Policies I have heard or been a part of that I like:
- No Fs. If you have an F, you don't play. Reasoning being that we don't fail at anything. Work harder to do what needs to be done. And I have yet to be in a school or see a class where I say "you know what, it is totally understandable why he is getting and F.
He is trying his absolute hardest and doing everything right, but that class is just designed to fail kids". Doesn't happen.
- Class attendance = Practice Attendance. So if you have a rule about practice attendance (miss a practice, sit a quarter or whatever), it should carry over to the classroom and apply to unexcused classroom absences.
- 2.3 (or other number above 2.0. I like 2.13) Minimum . I like it. Reiterates the idea that our kids will not be given preferential treatment and will be high level students and citizens.
- Study Hall session (or extra conditioning) for anyone who is not currently meeting the standard. This would be a kid that is on academic probation (like in CA), or one that currently has a 1.8 on progress reports but needs to get a 2.0 for the grading period. Works to get them to improve their grade while serving as a punishment as well.
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Post by rpetrie on Feb 19, 2014 21:00:26 GMT -6
Our only policy is that a student cannot fail 2 classes & participate. We have a 9 period day, and students can fill their schedule with 9 classes, so they have to pass 7...if they take 6 they must pass 4. I prefer that there be some form of GPA accountability as well because technically a student can play with ALL-D's. There is also an academic probation policy that states if students are granted "probation" they must attend 1HR of extra help session daily Monday-Thursday until the quarter ends, and they can get off probation. Extra help sessions run from 6-7AM or 2-3PM...their choice. IF a kid gets an F on their progress report or has below a 70 overall average, then I PUT THEM in Academic Probation until it improves. I usually have no more than 1 kid on AP. One academic year does carry over to the next...unless they improve through summer school.
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fugulookinat
Junior Member
"Eye see DEAD people!"
Posts: 437
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Post by fugulookinat on Feb 20, 2014 10:31:48 GMT -6
What works for us:
We pull grades every Monday morning. If you have an 82 or below average in any class you will stay after practice and run. We tell our kids that C's are average and we wont have average kids in our program. Now, lets say little Johnny has a 76 on Monday morning, he will run Monday after practice. On Tuesday, his teacher emails me and says he turned in a missing assignment and his new grade is an 80. Little Johnny doesn't have to run Tuesday after practice because his grade has improved since yesterday. As long as his grade continues to improve, he wont run after practice. We push our kids to make A's and B's so that their GPA stays close to a 3.0 or higher. It's easier to get into college that way.
The second thing we do is probably the most important for our academic success. Kids like to look good on game days, so we give out helmet decals for GRADES, not Touchdowns or big hits. Midterm and semester grades will earn stars for your helmet. We go back to the spring semester of the previous year and give stars for A's and B's only. 3 for an A, 2 for a B. Sounds stupid to some people I'll bet, but those kids want to have stars all over their helmet during the season so they bust a$$ to make good grades. It has totally changed our program. We haven't lost a kid to grades in the past 3 seasons, not 1 kid.
Lots of great ideas on here. Pick a few that you like and build your program around them.
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Feb 20, 2014 10:45:29 GMT -6
State mandates the rule for minimum academics for eligibility, we won't alter that.
However, weekly grade report will dictate whether one plays or not. Any "F's" for the week (subjective pass/fail rating in behavior including attendance and work completion for each class) = loss of playing time. Minimum 1 quarter but escalates to 4 quarters b/c of severity and frequency.
As a teacher I hate having to guess a kid's grade to fill out other coaches' monitoring sheets so I've done away with that. I do have a "in danger of failing?" category in which teachers can circle yes or no. Yes puts the kid into academic improvement program where the player will attend study hall each day before practice.
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Post by peacock1915 on Feb 20, 2014 11:45:35 GMT -6
We use the state's eligibility rules as far as minimum, these are fairly easy to maintain to be eligible. We punish for what we consider lack of effort zero's. The first of each month every grade below an 80 we look at and they do punishment for every zero they have in that class. Out of season we also have a weekly study hall that they go to on one of our non-lifting days if they have any grades lower than an 80. Each coach takes some to their classroom the kids do school work and this gives my assistants some time to grade papers and catch up on anything in their classroom. I take the kids who have no grades below an 80 outside.
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Post by dubber on Feb 22, 2014 9:05:17 GMT -6
Eligible is what it takes to play.
But we will not leave you alone until your worst grade is a C.
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