Background:

Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Each school district board of directors has statutory authority to control, supervise, and regulate the conduct of interscholastic athletic and extracurricular activities for students of the district. The school board also has the authority to delegate its control, supervision, and regulation to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) or any other voluntary nonprofit entity. The WIAA is a nonprofit organization and rule-making body that was formed in 1905 to create equitable playing conditions between high school sports teams in Washington. The WIAA consists of nearly 800 high schools and middle/junior high schools, both public and private, that have volunteered to abide by the policies established by the WIAA.

The following activities are governed by the WIAA: baseball, basketball, girls bowling, cheerleading, cross country, dance/drill, football, forensics/debate, golf, girls gymnastics, music, soccer, girls softball, swimming/diving, tennis, theater/drama, track & field, girls volleyball, and wrestling.

Extracurricular Activities Fees.

Each school district board of directors has statutory authority to establish and collect attendance fees for optional noncredit extracurricular activity events. However, districts are required to waive or reduce these fees for students whose families would have difficulty paying the entire amount of the fee. The school board may also establish and collect an optional comprehensive fee for attendance at one or more events.

Free and Reduced Price Meals.

In order for students to qualify for free school meals, their family's income must be at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. Students whose families have an income between 130 percent and 185 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals. As of May 2017, the number of public school students eligible for free or reduced price meals (FRPM) was 473,309 (or 43 percent).

Associated Student Body.

An associated student body (ASB) is a formal student organization at a school. An ASB is approved of and regulated by the school board. Some ASBs allow their members to purchase an ASB card, which identifies the student as a member of the school. The purchase of an ASB card is required for participation in some school-sponsored activities at some schools. An ASB card can often be used by a student to receive discounts, such as, on admission to home athletic games or dances, or the purchase of a year book.

Career and Technical Student Organizations.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) provide programs designed to improve student achievement, reduce dropout rates, and help students discover available career options. The eight recognized CTSOs engage the community and local businesses to help students understand global competition; develop twenty-first century skills focused on creativity, problem solving, teamwork, and goal setting; and chart effective and efficient pathways through high school and postsecondary education for their personal success.

Physical Examinations.

The 2017-18 WIAA Handbook states that students must undergo a thorough medical examination and be approved for interscholastic athletic competition by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical exam, prior to the first practice. The handbook also states that the physical examination is valid for 24 consecutive months, unless otherwise limited by local school district policy or the medical authority who performed the exam.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

Fee Limitations.

The following fees are limited for public and private high school students eligible to participate in the FRPM program: an ASB and other student identification card fees, and extracurricular activities participation fees. The student identification card fee is limited to $5 per school year, and the extracurricular activities participation fee is limited to $5 per activity per school year. The limit on extracurricular activities participation fees applies only to high school students enrolled in a school district that is a member of WIAA. The maximum fee for public or private high school students to participate in CTSOs is $5 per organization per year.

The process for charging and collecting fees from public and private high school students eligible to participate in the FRPM program must be identical to the process for charging and collecting fees from other students.

School districts and private schools must widely, effectively, and frequently communicate these fee limits, including on the high school's website, the school district's website, registration forms related to school enrollment and participation in extracurricular activities or CTSOs, annual information packets to students and families, and newsletters.

The Promoting Lively Activities for Youth Grant Program.

The Promoting Lively Activities for Youth (PLAY) grant program is created to subsidize small school districts unduly impacted by the extracurricular activities fee limitation. The WIAA, under contract with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, must administer the program. Subject to funding by the Legislature, beginning in the 2018-19 school year, the WIAA must allocate up to $50,000 per school year for the purposes of the PLAY grant program. The grant dollars must be allocated on a first-come basis, with a maximum of $5,000 per district per year. The WIAA may not retain any of the appropriated amounts for administrative purposes.

To qualify for a PLAY grant, a district must:

have fewer than 2000 students;
have 50 percent or more high school students eligible to participate in the FRPM program; and
be impacted by the maximum extracurricular activities fee limitation.

Applications for a PLAY grant must include the number and overall percentage of high school students eligible to participate in the FRPM program who participated in one or more extracurricular activities in the prior school year, and an estimate of the number of extracurricular activities fees subject to the participation fee limitation.

By November 1, 2019, and by November 1 annually thereafter, the WIAA must report to the Legislature with the following data: the number of applications, a summary of the information submitted with applications, and the number and amount of PLAY grants awarded.

Physical Examination Frequency.

Students may not be required to complete a physical examination to participate in extracurricular activities more often than every 24 months, unless recommended by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill restricts the fee limitations to low-income high school students, rather than all low-income students, but includes a recommendation that the limits be made applicable to junior and middle school students. It adds a limit on the fees charged to certain low-income public and private school students for participation in CTSOs. The substitute bill requires that school districts and private schools communicate the fee limits widely, effectively, and frequently.

Rather than being administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), the PLAY grant program must be administered by the WIAA, in contract with the SPI. The WIAA may not retain any of the amounts appropriated for the grant program for administrative purposes. The substitute bill changes a requirement of qualification for the grant program from having 50 percent or more low-income students to having 50 percent or more low-income high school students. The WIAA must report to the Legislature, annually, with certain grant application and award information.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) There are equity in access issues related to participation in extracurricular activities due to the fees charged to students in order to participate. The Legislature can broaden access, break down barriers, and increase academic performance, attendance, and participation at the same time. By addressing strategies to increase student engagement, the bill will result in a decrease in barriers to participation in interscholastic activities, and thereby improve academic outcomes.

In order to qualify for free lunch, a family of four must make less than $31,500 per year and a family of three has to make less than $26,000 per year. For many of these families, it is not realistic to have $50 of discretionary funds per month. Even families who have $50 of discretionary funds may not choose to use that money so their child can participate in extracurricular activities. Some districts have unwritten rules for assisting students who cannot afford an ASB card or extracurricular activities participation fees. Participation is a big part of high school and a good community. A large percentage of the student population has a financial barrier to participating in, or observing, many extracurricular activities. If they could participate, then it would create a better school environment.

Physical examinations for sports participation are very costly. Doctors have to sign off that the physical is good for two years. If students are only required to complete a new physical every two years, instead of yearly, then this would be a financial help.

(Opposed) None.