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College prep transfers reviewed in high schools

Thursday, June 4, 2009
(Updated 3:45 pm)
By Robert Bell
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — Guilford County Schools’ widening investigation into Northern Guilford’s athletics program has expanded to another suspect: the school system itself.

Officials want to examine whether college prep programs at five high schools are allowing families of student athletes to abuse an already-liberal transfer policy.

Nora Carr, chief of staff for Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green, said Wednesday school system officials are turning their investigation inward based on information that has come to light from the ongoing probe at Northern Guilford.

“Issues have surfaced as names have been brought forward to us,” Carr said. “We’re still looking at issues with Northern, but we also want to look at our (college prep programs) and see if there’s any work to be done there.”

The district prohibits students from transferring for athletics reasons. Yet many county coaches say parents and students increasingly are doing just that — using a high school’s college prep program to gain access to its athletics program.

As part of its school-choice policy, Guilford County Schools has allowed students greater access to high schools beyond their traditional boundaries since 1993.

Students interested in a rigorous academic program can apply to Grimsley, High Point Central, Smith or Page, all of which offer International Baccalaureate programs, or to the Dudley Academy, a similar college-prep program at Dudley.

Students also can transfer to another county high school if that school offers an academic course or program unavailable at the student’s former school.

Students can remain enrolled in an IB program or the Dudley Academy provided they remain academically eligible. If not, they must transfer back to their original school.

Carr said school system officials want to make sure administrators at the IB schools and Dudley Academy “know what our policies are on accepting and keeping students enrolled.”

About 2,000 students transfer from one Guilford County school to another each year, according to school system officials.

Reasons vary from a family divorce to a new home to enrolling in a school’s college prep program.

Carr said school system officials are pondering ways to monitor students who enroll in those programs and also play sports.

She said it’s unlikely district officials will monitor every student who plays sports.

“We might pull a few student-athletes’ files and look at a variety of things like (grades) and residency and such,” she said. “We want to beef up the enforcement side of it.”

That’s good news to coaches such as Tommy Pursley. Northeast Guilford’s football coach was asked Wednesday night if he supported stricter monitoring of a high school’s college prep program.

“Absolutely 100 percent,” said Pursley. “Of course, I’m at a school that doesn’t have one.”

Contact Robert Bell at 373-7055 or robert.bell@news-record.com
 

Accompanying Photos

File photo (News & Record)

Photo Caption: Stan Kowalewski

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Norm*

June 4, 2009 - 6:17 am EDT

Magic bullet for ethical behavior and budget savings. . .Poof! No competitive sports!. Problem solved.

Funny You Should Say That

June 4, 2009 - 7:08 am EDT

That would be the Magic bullet for stupidity. Why don't you just strip education down to Reading, Writing and Math. Throw out everything else and get rid of all extra curriculars while you are at it?

Do you know how stupid this same argument is every time people who either didn't play sports or don't like sports post stuff like this?

Did you know that football alone at most average schools will pay for the budget of the vast majority of the entire athletic budget and if you are at a school with a big fan base it will often pay for everything else?

Did you know that if you did away with everything but football, basketball and MAYBE baseball that high school athletics would work on a SURPLUS in many schools?

Statements like yours are the reason WHY we need to improve our education system.

Panacea

June 4, 2009 - 7:40 am EDT

Funny, I hear that argument a lot. I also hear the opposite, that college sports often do not pay for themselves because secondary interests suck up a lot of the money before it gets back to the university.

But the issue at hand is NOT whether high school sports pay for themselves (they don't, or they wouldn't need to use state funded facilities for free). The issue is corruption in the system.

Your accusation of, "how stupid this same argument is every time people who either didn't play sports or don't like sports post . . ." is typical defensive behavior of someone who is trying to defend indefensible behavior. You don't know anything about Norm*, his history or likes or dislikes.

Why don't you supply some supporting evidence, instead of just getting defensive?

Norm*

June 4, 2009 - 8:40 am EDT

My suggestion would be intramural programs. All students involved, no try-outs, no second string. May I suggest Ultimate Frisbee. Very athletic, only equipment required is a frisbee. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_(sport) What helps students succeed in school is involvement, not being on a team. The current competitive sports culture in high schools is ethically bankrupt, serves a very limited and selective group of students, and obfuscates the real issues that plague our schools. Competitive sports is not a solution to any school's problems, just a smoke screen. For those who claim that sports is what keeps kids in school, if the students were motivated to go to college, the best investment of their time would be studying, not team practice.

Jimmy Jones

June 4, 2009 - 9:02 am EDT

Look, sports isn't going anywhere, so arguing or complaining about it is really just mute...Money talks. While high schools may not have it, the colleges and pros do. Do you not think that there would be some pull from the colleges and pros if there was demand to get rid of high school sports? You can say what you want and push to have these competitive sports (such as football) outside of school, but face it, the community rallies around these high school events. If we got rid of these sports in high school, then the colleges and pros would start losing money. Guess what? That isn't happening. No community will rally around a stupid frisbee sport. Its cool if you want to play with your son in the back yard, but when it comes down to team sports, especially football, well, the kids learn so much more than what you think obviously. My suggestion is that you move to another country, so that you can continue to read your books without the worry of paying taxes that benefit our kids in sports. Doing this would benefit you way more than the opposite, and then you would have no complaints. It would be a perfect world for you then. So, I will make an assumption and say that you have obviously never played football or other sports for that matter if you continuously believe that we should get rid of them. If anything, we should be pushing colleges to help fund the high schools since they receive these players to make tons of money. For every child they sign to a scholarship, then that college should send a donation to the school. There is an idea...

Panacea

June 4, 2009 - 10:37 am EDT

What a wasted argument. Things do change, usually after significant corruption and complaints have been heard. Do not assume that sports will be here for ever. People thought that women and blacks would never get the vote, or that Prohibition would never be repealed but we all know these things happened.

I'm not so sure there would be any real opposition from either colleges or pros if high schools nationwide got rid of sports. There are always private leagues--kids who want to play will find some outlet. They find talented kids regardless of where they play. So your argument is moot.

And fyi: I ran track in high school, and was on the tae kwon do team in college. People who have played sports do recognize the hypocrisy of the current system.

Jimmy Jones

June 4, 2009 - 11:20 am EDT

Talk about a wasted argurment. Well, you get that from people who think that every thing they say is the gospel, or believe that they are legions in their own mind. Most people now-a-days scoff at such actions. Right? I know that I do enjoy my own opinion.

By the way, I work in a changing environment, so you don't have to talk to me about change. I see it everyday. The right to vote was a change for the better, and it was changed because it was a right. You have the right not to participate in sporting events. So, please do. I and amongst many others love sports and see that there is a need. Sure, there are much more pressing issues like education, but sports and education can go hand and hand if the courses and programs are developed the right way. Also, you must be real disciplined with your tae kwon do and stuff, but when will you see colleges hold crowds for that event? Please, money talks. You did have one thing right though, and that is that colleges will find athletes no matter what or where; however, you have too many communities who will fight to keep these sports around, because IT IS A GOOD THING. If there were no money issues for high school sports, then we'd never hear any complaints.

Panacea

June 4, 2009 - 1:21 pm EDT

Well, feel free to enjoy your opinion. You have every right to be wrong.

You dodge the issue: you say you see change every day and then you say sports in schools will never go away, ie, that will never change. Can you not see the inherent contradiction in what you say?

Actually, we had nice crowds for martial arts events. About the same for volleyball, and most other sports that don't enjoy the popularity of football, baseball, and basketball. But what's that got to do with anything. You accuse me of hating sports, and then when I tell you different, you dismiss my sport of choice because it is not a money maker.

So, what I'm hearing is, high school sports is really about the money and not the kids. Gotcha.

So if you agree that colleges will find athletes no matter what, then why do you get so upset about the suggestion sports be taken out of the high schools? Again, you contradict yourself.

If sports were such a good thing, why is there so much corruption in sports? Until the corruption ends, I cannot agree sports are good for the schools.

baseballcoach

June 4, 2009 - 2:36 pm EDT

sure their is corruption, and we have been reading about it lately. and most of it concerns one school, one athletic director, and one coach (so far). what about the schools, AD's, and coaches who play by the rules, regardless of whether they win conference or state championships? are you saying those students participating are not gaining anything positive from the experience? taking sports out of the high schools because a couple of schools refuse to play by the rules is not the answer. punish the guilty and let the innocent play on. any school caught recruiting or knowingly allowing ineligible players to compete needs to be held accountable.

Norm*

June 4, 2009 - 3:16 pm EDT

My personal beliefs on why competitive sports do not belong in schools anymore is based on what it is, versus what people think. It does not serve a majority of students, it does not serve the students who are at-risk of leaving school or failing academically, it is an expense and liability, it does not teach ethical behavior, it takes the focus away from learning and puts it on competing in a physical activity instead of intellectual growth and transformation. Just because it's fun to watch and fun for the kids involved doesn't mean it's a good fit in resource starved schools. I am a licensed teacher in NC and the second thing they ask you in a job interview (the principal does the interviews), after they ask you about your license is: What do you coach? Trust me, the focus is too much on competitive sports and not on academics.

Panacea

June 4, 2009 - 4:25 pm EDT

baseballcoach, welcome to the debate.

I've said many times in previous posts on these blogs (which you're probably not familiar with) that I believe that athletics have a place in the school system.

However, I support radical changes in order to purge the system of rampant abuse. Defenders of Kowalewski make the incorrect assumption that I am anti-sports because they have no solution of their own.

I would remind you that while the focus has been on Northern, other schools have been under the microscope (Page, Dudley). The investigation is not over yet.

I'm sure there are coaches out there who follow the rules. But right now, I don't know the honest from the dishonest. I only know the system is broken.

I believe a temporary suspension of all athletics to revamp the system is in order. Will innocent kids pay the price? Of course they will. Can't be helped. Lay the blame on the cheaters, though, not those who want substansive change. If Kowalewski and those like him had played by the rules, this discussion would not be necessary.

baseballcoach

June 4, 2009 - 9:43 pm EDT

panancea, thanks for the welcome.
I agree with most of what you say. Believe me, I am no Kowalewski defender. The more that comes out, the less I care for him, regardless of how many games he has won. I agree there needs to be changes in the system (I don't know if "radical" changes are necessary though). Although not a teacher, I work in athletics at one of the schools that has lost good athletes to the IB programs at Page, Grimsley, and Dudley. And I would guess that some of those athletes were indeed "recruited". Thus, I acknowledge this situation involves schools other than Northern.
Is the system "broke"? I don't believe so, at least not broken to the point where it is beyond repair. Does the current system need analyzing? Sure it does. Do some things need to changed? Sure they do. Do those in administrative positions need to be more diligent in enforcing the rules? Absolutely. Should there be serious consequences for those caught breaking the rules (and by that I mean coaches, principles, AD's, parents, and players)? You bet.
The temporary suspension of all athletics is something as a coach and parent that I cannot agree with. Imagine this: you (or any other adult) play slow pitch softball or bowl in a league, or play competitive tennis. For some reason (I am being hypothetical here) the State of NC declares that no adult softball, tennis or bowling will be allowed for one year while they come up with some new rules. When the new rules come out, although one year older, you can resume your softball, bowling or tennis. Now consider a young man who has played football since he was 6 years old, been on the honor roll and obtained national honor society status, and is now a pretty good football player as he heads into his senior year. Although a good player, he knows he will not play past high school. So you propose taking away his final chance at playing a sport he loves and has pursued for 11-12 years while someone "revamps the system" just because a certain number of coaches and administrators can't follow the current rules?
Punish the ones who break the rules. The more severe the punishment (loss of job, loss of teaching certificate, loss of pension, or even prosecution), the more likely other coaches and administrators will take note and comply with the current rules.
My solution: hold those responsible accountable for their actions and administer proper punishment when rules are broken. But innocent kids (as well as innocent schools) should not "pay the price" for the actions of a few ego-maniacs.

Panacea

June 5, 2009 - 7:52 pm EDT

What ever solution to fixing this system is, and it IS broken, innocent kids will pay. We have to accept that as the consequence of when people try to cheat the system.

We live in an imperfect world, so solutions to problems are rarely perfect. It's not fair, but it is life.

It does not hurt kids to learn that lesson early. It helps them cope with the injustices and unfairness they will encounter as adults.

Jimmy Jones

June 4, 2009 - 3:43 pm EDT

Panacea,

Change is needed all the time, but there is no need to take sports out of schools, so I'm not dodging change, instead I'm acknowledging that it will never happen to high school sports. However, if administrators think that this is the best solution, then I'll have no problem adopting change and adapting to it. What I said was that this will never happen.

To clarify, your sport is no money maker; therefore, no one will care if it is never a big spectacle. I don't remember ever seeing a kid get a scholarship in Tae Kwon Do; but, I do recall that a ton of kids receive scholarships in football. To me, football is important. It is especially important for kids who can't afford to pay and play in rec or club leagues. Do we discriminate then and just say tough crap to those kids? Sports at school helps a lot of these kids who can't afford such leagues that you recommend. So, while I agree that no matter where you play, a college coach will find you, but remember, poor kids may not have the same opportunties.

Sports is a good thing, I am a good person, and I care about the integrity of the game, so not everyone involved in sports is corrupt. Hopefully those involved in the corruption will get caught and exposed. However, I'll continue to care about sports in school, because it is needed. By the way, sports will not be going anywhere.

Panacea

June 4, 2009 - 4:30 pm EDT

Yeah, Jimmy, you're dodging change.

Since you don't like my solution to the problem (suspend athletics for a period of time until new rules and procedures can be hashed out), then what is YOUR solution? How do YOU propose we clean the cheaters out of the system?

No solution is not a solution.

And Jimmy, you continue to miss the point of why I mentioned Tae Kwon Do. You accused me of hating sports. I cited MY sport to show you that this is not true. Which sports are money makers is not the issue.

And if making money is the only reason to have high school sports, then we should not have them at all. It's supposed to be all about the kids isn't it? So it shouldn't matter whether a sport makes money or not!

Based on your self serving argument, I am more convinced than ever the solution is to suspend sports and create a new system from the ground up that puts the focus on the kids and not adult egos.

I don't really think you care about the integrity of the game. If you did, you would be outraged and demanding some sort of change. You have not offered any solutions at all. You have merely attacked those you disagree with.

YOU are part of the problem.

DaveW

June 5, 2009 - 11:29 pm EDT

New rules can be put in place during the summer months when school is not in session. There is absolutely no need to suspend athletics for one academic year.

Norm*

June 4, 2009 - 12:43 pm EDT

I believe it's testosterone that drives most competitive sports, the money merely follows it. If you doubt that logic, look at the funding and support of women's sports at all levels of competition. Title IX or not, it's about men and their interests and entertainment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Title_IX

Get A Clue

June 4, 2009 - 8:23 am EDT

There are many things we could do with high school students that would "pay for themselves." But it's funny anyone would say that should be the sole criteria for an institution whose very mission is to educate via funding from local, state and federal sources. We owe our children an excellent education, graduating children of sound mind and bodies. We can accomplish that via a full P.E. program that includes intramural sports and fitness training while devoting the lion's share of the paltry resources we set aside for education to education itself.
If my childhood dream was to be a fireman, I don't expect the school to build a firefighting academy and hire a group of firefighters to train me. Likewise for any other vocation--including professional athlete. School should equip me with the general tools for success. Likewise, if my dream is to play in the NFL, let my parents pay for lessons and teams and such on our own time instead of wasting everyone else's time and money.
What's funny is that anyone would say the things you say. But thanks for playing!

sportfan

June 4, 2009 - 8:57 am EDT

This notion of getting rid of sports at the high school level is completely ridiculous! My son was a high school athlete who, with the assistance of Coach Stan Kowalewski was admitted into a very prestigious prep school (Phillips Exeter Academy, NH) for his "post grad" year. He has recently been awarded a $53,000 academic scholarship to attend the University of Rochester in the fall. In addition, he has secured a spot as a member of the men’s basketball team.

This opportunity to further his education at very respected facilities would not have been possible without athletic programs/dedicated coaches throughout his elementary/middle school/high school years. Due to his desire to continue to play basketball at the next level he was driven by his coaches and guidance counselors (as well as his parents) to excel in the classroom. It is terrifically disgraceful to suggest removing any extra curricular programs, which are the catalyst for higher education for any student. Basketball will not be my son’s “profession” in life. However, it has kept him focused, grounded and determined to succeed.

euripedes923

June 4, 2009 - 9:47 am EDT

So your kid got picked to play a game at a prep school for his 13th grade year because some snotty rich kid school needed an athlete instead of another spoiled blueblood. I'd like to see the fine print on that "academic" scholarship for the University of Rochester, that internationally-respected well-know paragon of academics.

sportfan

June 4, 2009 - 9:59 am EDT

So, just as I expected…. the cynical and disgruntled members of society have not disappointed and are as predictable as ever.

I would be happy to share my son’s “academic” award with you. He is certainly not a “spoiled rich kid”. And it is my greatest hope that he continues to grow into a compassionate and empathetic adult, unlike yourself.

Noyouranidiot

June 4, 2009 - 10:31 am EDT

Phillips Exeter is not a snotty rich kid school but an academic powerhouse rivalled by fewer than a handful of schools in the US. And as far as your uninformed jab at the University of Rochester, good luck getting admitted to this program -- you'll need every bit of it: http://www.esm.rochester.edu/

Think before you post.

euripedes923

June 4, 2009 - 10:35 am EDT

I know it's an academic powerhouse that "just happens" to also be an enclave of the rich and powerful. But even the Ivy colleges admit morons on athletic scholarships because someone has to play the game so the snotty rich kids born to power can have a reason to tailgate. And come up with a better name.

euripedes923

June 4, 2009 - 10:43 am EDT

from The New York Times:
Post-graduate programs have been around for decades at dozens of New England prep schools like Phillips Exeter, Hotchkiss and Deerfield, most for male athletes who have graduated from public high schools and want an extra year to bulk up, get stronger -- and bolster less-than-stellar academic records. The programs give prep schools some extra wallop on their sports teams, new blood and greater diversity, not to mention tuition upwards of $25,000 for each student.
http://www.nytimes.com/2000/06/24/us/a-growing-high-school-trend-opting-...

So stop pretending your son's 13th grade year was some special gift because of his stellar academics. You've been punked. Deal with it.

sportfan

June 4, 2009 - 12:29 pm EDT

I find your response with an article written in the year 2000 (my son was 11 at that time) to be somewhat ignorant of the current situation of strict academic qualifications it takes to attend Exeter (I am not familiar with the other schools’ requirements)

I will say as his mother I can certainly attest to the amount of hours and dedication he has put forth in the classroom (and on the court) to be in the position he finds himself. As an eighth grader he enrolled in Freshman Honor’s English and has never looked back on having a “leg up” on his grades. He graduated from HS with honors and could have enrolled in many different Universities on his academics alone. He did however, desperately want to play basketball in college and on the advise of coaches and counselors opted to not only gain greater knowledge/experience on the campus of Exeter but, yes, he also wanted to “bulk” up and perhaps be seen by college recruiters to possibly have the opportunity to continue his efforts on the court as well (where in the world is the shame in that?) Rochester is a DIII University and does not offer athletic scholarships. I highly doubt they are going to give my son that amount of money to have him attend their establishment without qualifying in the classroom!

Your opinions are just that (yours) and you are certainly entitled to them. However, I would not let you or anyone else diminish the achievements of any student athlete. Before you go around spouting such nonsense it would be wise to get your facts straight and up to date.

Norm*

June 4, 2009 - 1:19 pm EDT

and, the colleges/universities have special tutoring programs for the student athletes.

Panacea

June 4, 2009 - 10:39 am EDT

Congradulations on your son's success.

But as you yourself say, your son will never play professionally. It's great he got an opportunity to advance his education in sports. But so few kids get that opportunity, that it does not by itself justify continuing the existence of corrupt systems.

maryfrancis

June 4, 2009 - 11:29 am EDT

He gets an opportunity to advance his education! The point that you non-sports fans are missing is that the availability to play sports in high school provided him an incentive to continue to strive for excellence in the classroom and now he is going to attend a 4-year university. God…what a horrible travesty.

You will downplay the roll sports had in his achievements because you are determined to see athletics as a corrupt and needless part of our children’s education. Regardless how many parents with success stories come on here and share, you will only see your side of the issue. Face it, sports plays a vital part in many students lives and in their futures…deal with that!!

Panacea

June 4, 2009 - 1:27 pm EDT

My point is too few kids get these opportunities. Resources given to far too few at the expense of the middle of the road kid who needs it just as much.

I don't down play the role sports has in the achievements of those who achieve. But too many student athletes fail academically, and end up with nothing--because only a fraction of high school athletes will get scholarships, and even fewer will go pro.

Get a Clue had an excellent point: no other profession has its training subsidized by the school system the way sports do.

I don't have a problem with success stories, or with sports. You have not been reading my posts very carefully. What I have a problem with is endemic corruption that needs to be rooted out. But parents who ride on emotion (like you) stick their heads in the sand and refuse to aknowledge the problem exists--out of selfishness and arrogance.

Meanwhile, the needs of the majority of kids (who do not play sports) are completely ignored.

Get rid of the corruption in high school sports, and I will have no further complaints.

dcolin

June 4, 2009 - 1:29 pm EDT

"post grad year"

What is that?

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