`NO PASS, NO PLAY' RULE AT SCOTT CITY BOLD MOVE

In Scott City public schools, the playbook has changed for the better. Under a new policy that takes effect this school year, students must earn at least a C-minus grade average to participate in school sports and other activities.

If students do not maintain at least a C-minus grade average, they miss a quarter of participation in sports and other extra-curricular activities. The "no pass, no play" policy covers all athletic teams, cheerleaders, pom pon squad members, band twirlers, members of the speech team, student council and school clubs.

The decision by Scott City school officials is a sound one.

Getting the basics is still the primary goal of school. Nationwide, schools often pay lip service to the concept of student athletes. But their actions speak otherwise.

We've all heard the horror stories of high school athletes who are virtual "classroom dropouts" but continue to thrive on the playing field, often with the support and praise of school officials. In light of that, it's all the more inspiring to see Scott City school officials adopt a "no pass, no play" policy.

That's not to say extra-curricular activities, such as sports and student clubs, aren't worthwhile. Such activities encourage responsibility and teamwork. But without classroom learning, the basic building blocks of a good education, extra-curricular activities mean little.

We urge other area schools to pay close attention to this bold move. In principle, most people would probably agree. But if a star athletic makes poor grades, it becomes harder for many schools to bite the bullet.

The current standard of most schools has been established by the Missouri State High School Activities Association. A student must have earned 2.5 units of credit the previous semester, and for the current semester be enrolled in classes that allow him to earn 2.5 units of credit. That means a student could fail some classes, get D's in the rest and still play under this rather loose standard.

Raising academic expectations is on the agenda for Cape Girardeau public schools' September Board of Education meeting as well. Superintendent Neyland Clark said the Cape Girardeau plan might include a support system teachers, coaches, students to push students toward achievements in the classroom and then in extra-curricular activities.

These days, academic achievement is vital to future success, both personally and in terms of a career.

Increasingly, a college education is a prerequisite to obtaining a job. In the face of public criticism of education, colleges and universities have raised admission standards.

The result is that it is more important than ever to graduate from high school with a solid foundation of learning in math, history, science and English. Scott City's policy makes it clear to students that it's important to hit the books. Only then, can they score on the playing field and in life.