UIL Eligibility in Texas - Where's the Justice?

UIL Eligibility in Texas – Where is the Justice?

Situation

Family in Denton moved from attendance zone of one high school to another in same district; main reason – older daughter was being bullied and nothing was being done about it in school #1; younger daughter was softball player and was denied the chance to play for school #2 - coach at school #1 did not ‘clear her release’; appeal to UIL State Executive Committee was denied.  (Denton Record-Chronicle, March 20, 2014)

Analysis

It appears that the coach, along with administrators, at school #1 are being vindictive and refusing to allow a good player to transfer to another district school to play softball even though the main reason for the family move was related to the older daughter.  The “system”, meaning the UIL and its ruling bodies along with the school district, permitted a major denial of justice in this case.  Why was the coach allowed to deny the student’s release?  Administrators have the duty to look after the welfare of all their students and not the won-loss record of their coaches.  The fact that the older daughter was bullied with no protection provided by the school is also a major indicator that problems exist at Denton High School.  Where are the district personnel in this whole mess?  Where is the superintendent and his staff?

My Experience

Let me say up front, I know nobody involved in this case, only what I read in the local paper.  But I have seen the system worked for the benefit of those in the system.

I was a teacher at a high school that was labeled, “Unacceptable”, in school rankings.  Under Texas law, students are allowed to move to other schools within the district.  All of a sudden, our best athletes were being recruited to change schools “for academic reasons."  I am sure that the coaches had the best interests of the players and their families at heart.  (wink,wink)  Well, at least their own won-loss records.  We take our sports seriously down here in Texas.  Win and coaches get promoted, better positions, and pay raises.  Lose and you are out, back to teaching remedial math.  School leaders feel that if students can benefit, then great.  But if they get hammered by the system, then that is just a casualty of the sports war.  That’s the way the real world works and students are learning that injustice is alive and well at all levels.

Recommendation

I have not heard an update to this story.  If the parents had the desire and resources, meaning money, they could pursue this in court.  They may see some justice for their daughters.  I believe they did the right thing by moving to protect their older daughter.  They did not intend to hurt their younger daughter and probably assumed that the system would protect her as well.  This is what happens when adults pursue their agendas to the exclusion of common sense and compassion for the students under their care.