AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas Board of Education today says it will
continue to explore a proposal that gives Texas high school
athletes twice as much credit toward graduation for playing sports,
although some board members have reservations.
The Dallas Morning News reports the proposal will be crafted
into a new state rule, the board decided during a meeting. The
board plans to vote on it in September.
The proposal would allow four years of sports to count toward
graduation instead of two. Supporters including the Texas High
School Coaches Association said new graduation requirements that
took effect with freshmen last year discriminate against athletes
by cutting the time available for participation in athletics.
In all, the number of credits needed to get a diploma will
increase from 24 to 26 starting with 2011 graduates.
Students can now get up to two years of credit for participation
in sports, which meets the current requirement of 1½ years of
physical education and also a half-year toward elective course
requirements. A credit is equal to one year of instruction in a
subject.

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