On the issue of mandatory grade-point averages, the Ohio High School Athletic Association has not wavered. The Dublin Republican, who left the Senate this year because of term limits, thinks the association flexed its muscles to block the bills. California, Florida and Texas have such laws. The association's hands-off approach to academic standards runs counter to its aggressiveness on rules enforcement and staff development. It's a privilege, not a right, to participate.
State law requires districts to set a standard.
I'm offended by that. According to figures supplied by Watts, roughly 93 percent of Ohio's school districts require less than a 2.0 grade-point average to participate in sports. In Franklin County, only Columbus and Upper Arlington have adopted a 2.0 standard. The norm falls between 1.0 and 2.0. Throughout the state, school administrators welcome the ability to control the standard.