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Division I Proposal - 2022-34

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY -- FRESHMAN ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS -- ELIMINATION OF TEST-SCORE REQUIREMENTS

Status: Adopted Final

Intent: To eliminate the standardized test score requirement from the initial-eligibility requirements and establish minimum grade-point average requirements, as specified.

A.    Bylaws: Amend 13.15, as follows:

13.15 Precollege Expenses.

[13.15.1 unchanged.]

13.15.2 Permissible Expenses.

13.15.2.1 Expenses Related to Academic Evaluations and Test Scores. An institution may pay fees or provide expenses in the following situations related to a prospective student-athlete's academic evaluation or test scores:

(a) A fee required by the appropriate testing agency to obtain a prospective student-athlete's official ACT or SAT scores;

(b) Expenses (e.g., document fees, express delivery charges) to obtain information or receive documents that are necessary to certify or evaluate the academic standing of a prospective student-athlete (e.g., transcripts, translation of transcripts); or

(c) Expenses (e.g., transcript fee, express delivery charges) for a prospective student-athlete's institution to send an academic transcript to the Eligibility Center or for an ACT or SAT score to be sent from the testing agency to the Eligibility Center, provided the prospective student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid or the institution has received a financial deposit in response to its offer of admission.

[13.15.2.2 through 13.15.2.5 unchanged.]

B.    Bylaws: Amend 14.02.10, as follows:

14.02.10 Qualification Status.

14.02.10.1 Qualifier. A qualifier is a student who, for purposes of determining eligibility for financial aid, practice and competition, has met the following requirements (see of Bylaw 14.3.1.1):.

(a) Graduation from high school;

(b) Successful completion of a required core curriculum consisting of a minimum number of courses in specified subjects;

(c) Specified minimum grade-point average in the core curriculum; and

(d) Specified minimum SAT or ACT score.

14.02.10.2 Academic Redshirt. An academic redshirt is defined as one who is a high school graduate and who presented the same academic qualifications applicable to qualifiers (see Bylaw 14.3.1.1) except for the following: has met the requirements of Bylaw 14.3.1.2 but not the requirements of Bylaw 14.3.1.1.

(a) The required minimum core-curriculum grade-point average and minimum combined score on the SAT critical reading and math sections or a minimum sum score on the ACT as specified in Bylaw 14.3.1.2.1; and

(b) Bylaw 14.3.1.1-(c) shall not apply.

14.02.10.3 Nonqualifier. A nonqualifier is a student who has not graduated from high school or who, at the time specified in the regulation (see Bylaw 14.3), has not successfully completed the required core curriculum or has not presented the required minimum core-curriculum grade-point average and/or the corresponding SAT/ACT score required for a qualifier or academic redshirt.

C.    Bylaws: Amend 14.3, as follows:

14.3 Freshman Academic Requirements.

14.3.1 Eligibility for Financial Aid, Practice and Competition -- Qualifiers and Academic Redshirts. A student-athlete who enrolls in a member institution as an entering freshman with no previous full-time college attendance shall meet the following academic requirements, as certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center, as approved by the Board of Governors, and any applicable institutional and conference regulations, to be considered a qualifier or an academic redshirt.

14.3.1.1 Qualifier. A qualifier shall be eligible for financial aid, practice and competition during the first academic year of residence. A qualifier is defined as one who is a high school graduate and who presented the following academic qualifications:

(a) A minimum cumulative grade-point average as specified in Bylaw 14.3.1.1.3 of 2.300 (based on a maximum 4.000) in a successfully completed core curriculum of at least 16 academic courses per Bylaw 14.3.1.3, including the following:

English 4 years
Mathematics (Three years of mathematics courses at the level of Algebra I or higher). (Computer science courses containing significant programming elements that meet graduation requirements in the area of mathematics also may be accepted.) 3 years
Natural or physical science (including at least one laboratory course if offered by the high school). (Computer science courses containing significant programming elements that meet graduation requirements in the area of natural or physical science also may be accepted.) 2 years
Additional courses in English, mathematics, or natural or physical science 1 year
Social science 2 years
Additional academic courses [in any of the above areas or foreign language, philosophy or nondoctrinal religion (e.g., comparative religion) courses] 4 years
The record of the above courses and course grades must be certified by the Eligibility Center using either an official high school transcript forwarded directly from the high school or a high school transcript forwarded by an institution's admissions office; and

(b) A minimum combined score on the SAT critical reading and math sections or a minimum sum score on the ACT as specified in Bylaw 14.3.1.1.3. The required SAT or ACT score must be achieved under national testing conditions on a national, state or district testing date [no residual (campus) testing]; and

(c b) Completion of 10 of the required 16 core courses before the start of the seventh semester (or the equivalent) of high school. Seven of the 10 core courses must include English, mathematics and natural or physical science. The 10 core courses used to fulfill this requirement and the grades achieved in such courses shall be used in determining the student-athlete's eligibility for financial aid, practice and competition during the first academic year of residence and shall not be replaced by courses or grades achieved in subsequently completed core courses, including courses completed after the core-curriculum time limitation pursuant to Bylaws 14.3.1.3.1.1 or 14.3.1.3.1.2. (See Bylaw 14.3.1.3.6.)

[14.3.1.1.1 unchanged.]

14.3.1.1.2 Exception -- Early Academic Certification. A student-athlete presenting a core-course grade-point average of 3.000 or higher (based on a maximum of 4.000) in a minimum of 14 core courses upon completion of six semesters (or the equivalent) shall be certified as a qualifier, provided the student-athlete has achieved the following academic criteria:. The 14 core courses shall include three core courses in English, two in mathematics, two in natural or physical science (including at least one laboratory course, if offered), two additional core courses in English, mathematics, or natural or physical science and five additional core courses in any NCAA core area. The record of the courses and course grades must be certified by the Eligibility Center using either an official high school transcript forwarded directly from the high school or a high school transcript forwarded by an institution's admissions office.

(a) A minimum combined score on the SAT critical reading and math sections of 900 (for tests taken prior to March 1, 2016) or a minimum sum score on the ACT of 75, per the requirements of Bylaw 14.3.1.4. A concordant SAT score for tests taken on or after March 1, 2016 will be determined by the College Board; and

(b) A core-course grade-point average of 3.000 or higher (based on a maximum of 4.000) in a minimum of 14 core courses on completion of six semesters (or the equivalent). The 14 core courses shall include three core courses in English, two in mathematics, two in natural or physical science (including at least one laboratory course, if offered), two additional core courses in English, mathematics, or natural or physical science and five additional core courses in any NCAA core area. The record of the courses and course grades must be certified by the Eligibility Center using either an official high school transcript forwarded directly from the high school or a high school transcript forwarded by an institution's admissions office.

[14.3.1.1.2.1 unchanged.]

14.3.1.1.3 Initial-Eligibility Index for Qualifiers. A student-athlete must meet the requirements of the following eligibility index to be certified as a qualifier. The SAT scores in the table below apply to tests taken prior to March 1, 2016. SAT scores for tests taken on or after March 1, 2016, will be evaluated based on the concordance established by the College Board:

Core GPA SAT Sum ACT  Core GPA  SAT  Sum ACT
3.550 & above 400 37  2.900  660  54
3.525 410 38  2.875  670  55
3.500 420 39  2.850  680  56
3.475 430 40  2.825  690  56
3.450 440 41  2.800  700  57
3.425 450 41  2.775  710  58
3.400 460 42  2.750  720  59
3.375 470 42  2.725  730  60
3.350 480 43  2.700  740  61
3.325 490 44  2.675  750  61
3.300 500 44  2.650  760  62
3.275 510 45  2.625  770  63
3.250 520 46  2.600  780  64
3.225 530 46  2.575  790  65
3.200 540 47  2.550  800  66
3.175 550 47  2.525  810  67
3.150 560 48  2.500  820  68
3.125 570 49  2.475  830  69
3.100 580 49  2.450  840  70
3.075 590 50  2.425  850  70
3.050 600 50  2.400  860  71
3.025 610 51  2.375  870  72
3.000 620 52  2.350  880  73
2.975 630 52  2.325  890  74
2.950 640 53  2.300  900  75
2.925 650 53      

14.3.1.2 Academic Redshirt. An academic redshirt may receive institutional athletically related financial aid but may not compete during the first academic year of residence. An academic redshirt may practice only on campus or at the institution's regular practice facility during the first regular academic term of residence. An academic redshirt must successfully complete nine semester or eight quarter hours of academic credit in each applicable regular academic term in order to be eligible for practice in the immediately subsequent term of the initial academic year of residence. An academic redshirt is defined as one who is a high school graduate and who presented the same academic qualifications applicable to qualifiers (see Bylaw 14.3.1.1) except for the following: a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 (based on a maximum 4.000) in a successfully completed core curriculum of at least 16 academic courses per Bylaw 14.3.1.3, including the required courses set forth in Bylaw 14.3.1.1-(a).

(a) The required minimum cumulative grade-point average and minimum combined score on the SAT critical reading and math sections or a minimum sum score on the ACT as specified in Bylaw 14.3.1.2.1;

(b) Bylaw 14.3.1.1-(c) shall not apply.

14.3.1.2.1 Initial-Eligibility Index for Academic Redshirts. A student-athlete must meet the requirements of the following eligibility index to be certified as an academic redshirt. The SAT scores in the table below apply to tests taken prior to March 1, 2016. SAT scores for tests taken on or after March 1, 2016, will be evaluated based on the concordance established by the College Board:

Core GPA SAT Sum ACT Core GPA SAT Sum ACT
3.550 400 37 2.750 720 59
3.525 410 38 2.725 730 60
3.500 420 39 2.700 740 61
3.475 430 40 2.675 750 61
3.450 440 41 2.650 760 62
3.425 450 41 2.625 770 63
3.400 460 42 2.600 780 64
3.375 470 42 2.575 790 65
3.350 480 43 2.550 800 66
3.325 490 44 2.525 810 67
3.300 500 44 2.500 820 68
3.275 510 45 2.475 830 69
3.250 520 46 2.450 840 70
3.225 530 46 2.425 850 70
3.200 540 47 2.400 860 71
3.175 550 47 2.375 870 72
3.150 560 48 2.350 880 73
3.125 570 49 2.325 890 74
3.100 580 49 2.300 900 75
3.075 590 50 2.275 910 76
3.050 600 50 2.250 920 77
3.025 610 51 2.225 930 78
3.000 620 52 2.200 940 79
2.975 630 52 2.175 950 80
2.950 640 53 2.150 960 81
2.925 650 53 2.125 970 82
2.900 660 54 2.100 980 83
2.875 670 55 2.075  990 84
2.850 680 56 2.050 1000 85
2.825 690 56 2.025 1010 86
2.800 700 57 2.000 1020 86
2.775 710 58      

[14.3.1.2.1 renumbered as 14.3.1.2.0, unchanged.]

[14.3.1.3 through 14.3.1.5 unchanged.]

14.3.2 Eligibility for Financial Aid, Practice and Competition -- Nonqualifiers.

14.3.2.1 Nonqualifier. A nonqualifier is a student who has not graduated from high school or who, at the time specified in the regulation (see Bylaw 14.3), did not present the core-curriculum grade-point average and/or SAT/ACT score required for a qualifier or an academic redshirt.

[14.3.2.1.1 unchanged.]

[14.3.2.2 through 14.3.2.3 unchanged.]

[14.3.3 through 14.3.4 unchanged.]

14.3.5 Determination of Freshman Eligibility.

[14.3.5.1 through 14.3.5.3 unchanged.]

14.3.5.4 International Academic Standards. A student from a foreign country shall satisfy both the requirements outlined in the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility and the test-score requirements set forth in Bylaw 14.3.1.1-(b).

D.    Bylaws: Amend 14.3.1.4, as follows:

[Common provision, Divisions I and II only, divided vote]

14.3.1.4 Test-Score Requirements. The minimum required SAT or ACT score (see Bylaw 14.3.1.1) must be achieved under national testing conditions on a national, state or district testing date [no residual (campus) testing].

14.3.1.4.1 Test-Score Time Limitation. The minimum required SAT or ACT score shall be achieved prior to registering for a minimum full-time program of studies (as determined by the institution) and attending classes in a regular term (e.g., semester or quarter) of an academic year at a collegiate institution.

14.3.1.4.2 Combined Test Scores. For students using the SAT examination, the highest scores achieved on the critical reading and mathematics sections of the SAT from two different national testing dates may be combined in determining whether the student has met the minimum test-score requirements. SAT scores for tests taken prior to March 1, 2016, will not be combined with SAT scores for tests taken on or after March 1, 2016. For students using the ACT examination, the highest scores achieved on the individual subtests of the ACT from more than one national testing date or state-administered examination may be combined in determining whether the student's sum score has met the minimum test-score requirement.

14.3.1.4.3 Nonstandard Test Administration. Students with education-impacting disabilities may use scores achieved during a nonstandard administration of the SAT or ACT. A student who takes a nonstandard SAT or ACT still must achieve the minimum required test score.

14.3.1.4.4 Test-Score Report. The minimum SAT or ACT score(s) used for initial-eligibility purposes must be provided to the Eligibility Center by the appropriate testing agency through an official test-score report.

[14.3.1.5 through 14.3.1.6 renumbered as 14.3.1.4 through 14.3.1.5, unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division I Council (Committee on Academics)

Effective Date:August 1, 2023, for student-athletes initially enrolling full time in a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2023.

Proposal Category: Amendment

Topical Area: Academic Eligibility

Rationale: The NCAA Standardized Test Score Task Force, which was formed as part of the NCAA's eight-point plan to advance racial equity, developed recommendations based on a review of historical perspectives, the current landscape, and insights from researchers, third-party organizations, thought leaders and the NCAA membership. Eliminating the standardized test score requirement from initial-eligibility requirements aligns with the trend among institutions of moving away from requiring standardized test scores for admissions purposes. Voting on this proposal in January 2023 aligns with Division II and will provide sufficient notice to the membership, the secondary education community, and prospective student-athletes.

Division I Commitment addressed by proposal: The Commitment to Sound Academic Standards.

Is the proposal consequential or nationally significant?: Yes. Freshman academic requirements are nationally significant.

Is the proposal enforceable and how do the merits outweigh monitoring burdens?: Yes. Removal of the standardized test requirement eliminates a monitoring burden.

How does the proposal support student-athlete success/well-being?: This proposal supports student-athlete well-being by simplifying freshman academic requirements legislation.

Estimated Budget Impact: None.

Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.

History

Nov 14, 2022: In Progress
Jan 11, 2023: Adopted by Council
Jan 12, 2023: No Board Action
Jan 12, 2023: Adopted Final

Legislative References

Division Number Title
I 13.15 Precollege Expenses.
I 13.15.2 Permissible Expenses.
I 13.15.2.1 Expenses Related to Academic Evaluations and Test Scores.
I 14.02.10 Qualification Status.
I 14.02.10.1 Qualifier.
I 14.02.10.2 Academic Redshirt.
I 14.02.10.3 Nonqualifier.
I 14.3 Freshman Academic Requirements.
I 14.3.1 Eligibility for Financial Aid, Practice and Competition -- Qualifiers and Academic Redshirts.
I 14.3.1.1 Qualifier.
I 14.3.1.1.2 Exception -- Early Academic Certification.
I 14.3.1.1.3 Initial-Eligibility Index for Qualifiers.
I 14.3.1.2 Academic Redshirt.
I 14.3.1.2.1 Initial-Eligibility Index for Academic Redshirts.
I 14.3.1.4 Test-Score Requirements.
I 14.3.1.4.1 Test-Score Time Limitation.
I 14.3.1.4.2 Combined Test Scores.
I 14.3.1.4.3 Nonstandard Test Administration.
I 14.3.1.4.4 Test-Score Report.
I 14.3.2 Eligibility for Financial Aid, Practice and Competition -- Nonqualifiers.
I 14.3.2.1 Nonqualifier.
I 14.3.5 Determination of Freshman Eligibility.
I 14.3.5.4 International Academic Standards.
References