2007-2008 MSHSL Student Transfer Process And

2007-2008 MSHSL Student Transfer Process and Transfer Eligibility Appeal Process

The online transfer form used during the 2006-2007 school year is no longer in use. The new 2007-2008 online transfer form will be ready for use no later than August 1. The new form will recognize all of the changes and options of the new transfer bylaw and it will allow you to complete transfers for students who first attended your school prior to the conclusion of the 2006-2007 school year but have not yet participated at your school. It will also allow you to complete transfers for those students who declared their intent to transfer to your school by the March 30 deadline. As you know, you must have submitted the names of those students to the League office as requested by April 3, 2007. Definitions and a step by step checklist have been provided below to assist you with the administration of the transfer process and the appeal process for the 2007-2008 school year.

Receiving School: The Receiving School is the new school the student has transferred to and is attending or will be attending for the 2007-2008 school year. Sending School: The Sending School is the most recent school attended by the student prior to the transfer to the Receiving school. MSHSL Student Transfer Form (STF): The MSHSL Student Transfer form is submitted to the League office by the athletic administrator at the Receiving School. The STF is used to determine the student’s transfer eligibility and good standing eligibility. The League offie must review and approve the school’s determination before the student participates in MSHSL activities. Determination of Eligibility: The athletic administrator at the Receiving School will determine the eligibility status of the transfer student using the MSHSL online Student Transfer form. The League will review the Receiving School’s determination of eligibility and respond back to the school in agreement or disagreement with the determination.

A. The Student completes the registration process required by the Receiving School to transfer to and become fully enrolled at the Receiving School. B. The athletic administrator at the Receiving School completes the MSHSL online Student Transfer Form (STF), determines the eligibility of the student, and electronically submits the form to the League office. C. The League office reviews the determination of eligibility submitted by the Receiving School on the STF and responds back to the school. D. If the student is ineligible for participation at the varsity level the student/parent can accept the initial determination of ineligibility or choose to appeal the decision using the MSHSL Eligibility Appeal Form (EAF). MSHSL Eligibility Appeal Form (EAF): The MSHSL Eligibility Appeal form can be used by students who have transferred to a new school and who wish to appeal their ineligibility for participation at the varsity level. The EAF cannot be accessed until the League office reviews the MSHSL Transfer form and responds back to the Receiving School. Completion of Transfer: For purposes of determining eligibility, the transfer is considered complete and the EAF can be processed for students who have been determined to be ineligible for varsity competition when the student participates in a fall practice or first attends school at the Receiving school.

E. If the determination of ineligibility is appealed, the athletic administrator at the Receiving School will select the MSHSL Eligibility Appeal Form (EAF)” option found on the MSHSL online transfer form for that student. The EAF cannot be submitted to the League office until the student participates in a fall practice or attends school at the Receiving School. F. Once the student participates in a fall sport practice or first attends school at the Receiving School to complete the transfer the athletic director at the Receiving School electronically submits the appeal to the League office. G. The “MSHSL Eligibility Appeal Form (EAF)” form will require information from the student/parent, the Receiving School and the Former School. Only the athletic administrator at the Receiving School can access the EAF to begin the appeal process. Below is the four step process that will be used. l EAF Section 1: The student/parent will provide information to the Receiving School athletic administrator to complete Section 1. I EAF Section 2: The Receiving School athletic administrator will provide the required information to complete this section then electronically submit the EAF to the athletic administrator at the Former School. l EAF Section 3: The athletic administrator at the Former School will complete this section and submit the form to the League office. The Receiving School will receive electronic notification that the EAF has been submitted to the League office by the Former School. l EAF Section 4: Following the receipt of the EAF, the League staff will electronically respond within 5 calendar days. The League response will be sent to the Receiving school.

Supporting Documentation: Any information the student or parents can provide the school to support their rationale for the appeal. The school will keep this information on file at the school. The League office may request copies of the Supporting Documentation as part of the League review of the appeal. H. The status of the appeal process can be viewed on the MSHSL administrative website by the athletic administrator at the Receiving School by selecting “View Appeal Status” under “Transfer Forms/Resources”. I. If the student/parent does not agree with the League office response to the EAF they may request a hearing using the Fair Hearing Procedures (FHP).

MSHSL Fair Hearing Procedures (FHP): The Fair Hearing Procedure is the process to be used by the student/parent who wishes to appeal a school’s determination of ineligibility for a student. The EAF is part of the Fair Hearing Procedure.

J. The Fair Hearing Procedures can be found on the League website or at the beginning of the 300 Series of MSHSL Bylaws in the 2007- 2008 MSHSL Official Handbook.

Please refer to the 2007-2008 MSHSL Official Handbook which will be mailed July 30 to all member schools. You should review Bylaw 111—Transfer and Residence, and the Fair Hearing Procedures found at the beginning of the 300 Series of the handbook. You should also review the MSHSL Student Transfer Form found on your MSHSL Administrative website. These documents will also be available on the MSHSL website by August 1.