Does anyone have a reason why MSHSAA has chosen to go it's own way and not follow NFHS guidelines specifically on 6 & 7 in the below article (also discussed in the STL Post Dispatch) today.

Namely online and participation and some sports are safer than others.

https://www.highschoolot.com/9-takeaways-from-the-nfhs-press-conference-about-coronavirus-high-school-sports/19207283/

In a way they did 70 years ago. The 49-50 school year was the first official year that all black schools competed in the MSHSAA state championships in TF and CC. However, it was the 53-54 school year before those same schools were able to do so in basketball.

@Hays
Where does it specifically state in the MSHSAA Handbook By-Laws that a school district MUST be in a traditional school setting (kids in the classroom)in order to practice sport and participate in competition?

What I am sharing is from the Handbook, a "normal school day" and/or student academic eligibility is not dependent being physically present in a classroom.

Page 45
Q4: How should our high school determine our "normal school day"?
A4: Your normal school day is based on the maximum number of credit-bearing classes that a student can take during a semester during your publicized school day.
---The response does not define in part or in whole that a "normal school day" is a student physically sitting in a classroom, but rather class credits.---

Page 47
2.3.4 Grades 9-12 Enrollment Options for Academic Eligibility: The following options are available to students in order to meet the requirements of By-Law 2.3.2 a and b above (page 42...grade requirements for participation during and prior semester)
b. Non-Traditional Option 1
1. The student is an enrolled student of the high school but ALL OR SOME
OF THE COURSES/CREDITS ARE NOT TAKEN AT THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL (virtual,
post-secondary, work study, etc).

---The way the I am interrupting this by-Law is a student remains eligible to participate in sport or activities though he/she is not physically in the classroom but enrolled and taking online courses through the high school.---

This means MSHSAA does recognize virtual learning (online classes) as part of of what meets the Academic Eligibility requirement.

@mcehlen

And also is allowing home schoolers now to participate without every being in the building or affiliated with the local school in any way.

Both of those questions are beyond my pay grade. It is best to go directly in they know. Never have I had a problem talking with those people in that office.

@Hays
Thanks. I shared my questions with the MSHSAA Board Director for my neck of the woods.

Truly frustrating that students high school experience becomes a victim in part by a politicized culture.