LADDER TO SUCCESS
Student-Athlete Academic Success Initiative
The Westside Athletics Department has implemented a Ladder to Success program, which will be used to guide student-athletes who have a failing grade and get them passing.
This success initiative will be piloted in three sports (Football, Boys’ Basketball and Boys’ Track & Field) during the 2009-2010 school year. With the Ladder to Success, there will be more accountability with the student-athletes, and not just during their respective seasons. A student-athlete joins the Ladder to Success program as soon as he fails a class – even at progress report time.
There are four steps on the ladder to ensure academic success for our student-athletes:
- Step 1 begins with two mandatory tutorials per failing class each week and a mandatory study hall on Fridays during the student-athlete’s athletic period. Teachers’ signatures will be required. For example, if there are two failing classes, four signatures (two from each subject) are required.
- Step 2 is implemented if, after three weeks on Step 1, the student-athlete is still failing a class. He will then be required to attend Saturday tutorials. This is in addition to the mandatory tutorials and study hall of Step 1.
- Step 3 builds on Step 2 if the student-athlete is still failing. All athletic periods will be spent in tutorials/study hall. That means the only available practice time will be before or after school.
- Step 4 is, of course, a last resort to achieve academic success. If the student-athlete continues to fail after 12 weeks of intervention, then the student-athlete will be removed from the athletic program. In order to again participate in athletics during his high school career, the student-athlete must demonstrate academic success.
If the student-athlete fails to follow the Ladder to Success requirements, loss of privilege will result, beginning with assigned detention/study hall for an hour after school. Failure to comply with a reasonable request is a Level III infraction of the HISD Code of Student Conduct and disciplinary measures will be taken.
Westside Athletics cares about its student-athletes and wants them to be successful during high school and beyond. Together, we can ensure this happens.
If you have any questions, please contact Alaina Turner, Athletics Administrator, at aturner1@houstonisd.org.