Council chairman Butler sets sights on 'critical issues' By JENNIFER R. SANSBURY Larry Butler, the newly elected chairman of the University Interscholastic League's Legislative Council, says he is setting his sights on tackling several "critical issues" dur­ ing his term. Butler, who is superintendent of the Spearman Independent School District, said he'd "like to see a con­ tinuation of added aca­ demic activities, espe­ cially at the junior level. "Certainly aca­ demics is a primary issue for the benefit of young people. I think we've made great strides in that." He added that stressing academics is "a trend we're seeing nationwide." The UIL will have to grapple with year- round schools within the next few years, said Butler, who was elected chairman of the Council in October. The Legislative Council is the UIL's 24-member rule-making body. One member from each of the four UIL bas­ AT HOME IN THE DOME. Killeen's Dion Marion heads around the corner over Sugar Land Dulles. For full state schoolboy championship coverage, please turn to page 11. ketball regions within each of the five con­ during the Kangaroo's 14-10 5A-1 slate football championship victory ferences is elected to serve a four-year term. In addition, four members are appointed at-large from each of the four regions. Denius Award nominations due Butler is in his second term on the Council Students excel in UIL activities for sev­ the award. as a result of the sponsor's leadership over a and served last year as vice chairman. He said eral reasons. Some spend endless hours in "There can be 1,100 nominees theoreti­ five-year period. one of the biggest concerns will be adapting practice while others put their natural talents cally," said Dr. Stamps. "I think it was so low •Indications that the sponsor made policies to an expanded school year. to use, but what they share are dedicated because that was the first year. Very few maximum use of existing resources and stu­ He also intends to address sportsmanship sponsors who contribute that extra special people knew about it. dents' aptitude. problems among athletes, coaches and fans. "something" in preparation for competition. "This has been tremendously well re­ •Principals' recommendation of the "We need to be setting an example from the Nominations for the Denius-UIL Spon­ ceived, not only by the recipients, but by those sponsor as an effective teacher in non-UIL UIL- it's something that's necessary," he said. sor Excellence Award, now in its second year, associated with them as well," he added. "I classroom activities. Butler has already begun working toward must be submitted to high school principals by would be disappointed if we don't see at least •A statement regarding the relative im­ some of his goals, including working out a April 10. This award recognizes those spon­ twice as many (nominations) this year." portance of competitive activities in the budget for the coming year and checking out sors who have helped their students develop Nominees must have sponsored high sponsor's personal educational philosophy. land possibilities for new UIL headquarters in and refine their talents to the highest degree school UIL activities for at least five years and •The desire to recognize sponsors from Austin. possible while helping them keep their personal are divided into three categories: academic each of the three categories of UIL categories. "One of the paramount issues is the state worth independent of success or failure. contest sponsors, athletic coaches and music The ten 1991 winners, which included of the UIL facilities. It's a disgrace," Butler "The difference between a good and bad and one-act play directors. No more than four four academic, three athletic and three fine said. "I've met with Dr. [William] Cunningam experience in UIL activities is having a good awardees can come from any one category. arts sponsors, were: Leo A. Ramirez from [president ofThe University ofTexas at Austin] sponsor," said Dr. Bill Stamps, Assistant to the Nominees are not judged against those from McAUen High School; Jana M. Riggins from and it's something we need to move forward UIL Director. another category until the final round. Kaufman High School; Patricia Thompson with. Because sponsors have the ability to draw The Effie and Wofford Cain Foundation from Schertz Clemens High School; Donna "The UIL has been good for The Uni­ out the best in their students, "Great sponsors provided $ 10,000 each year for three years to Hopkins from O'Donnell High School; Don versity of Texas and the Austin community have great youngsters performing for them," fund the Denius-UIL Sponsor Excellence Coleman from Houston Memorial High and we need our back rubbed a little," he said. he said. Award. Frank W. Deftius, for whom the School; Tom Kimbrough from Piano High Butler, who has worked in education for Last year Texas high schools nominated award is named, has been director of the Cain School; Norma Pullin from East Bernard High 21 years, called his service on the UIL Legis­ 114 outstanding sponsors for the Denius-UIL Foundation since 1955 and Executive Com­ School; Doyle E. McElroy from Sealy High lative Council "one of the most enjoyable Sponsor Excellence Award. After initial mittee Chairman from 1983 until present School; Donnie Owens from Dickinson High things I've been privileged to deal with; one of judging that number was reduced to 14 final­ The criteria considered in the selection School; and Marca Bircher from Dallas Wil­ the most important things I've done in edu­ ists and then 10winnersof$l,000 each. Each process include: son High School. cation." high school can submit one nomination for •Accomplishments of UIL participants ~ Jennifer R. Sansbury Volume 76 • Number Five • January/February, 1992 • ISSN 0897-4314 11: Special education eligibility clarified Unfortunately individuals in some athletics rather than to develop an appropri­ We will inform the University Inter- schools have tried to abuse or have misused ate program to meet the students' educational scholastic League of our position regarding the special education system when student needs. (19 TAC 89.221) this matter. We regret that the district has athletes have failed at the six weeks period. Bailey In conclusion, for the three students in abused the process of determining special The following is a statement from the Texas question, the district failed to justify the need education eligibility and educational pro­ Education Agency regarding some students Marshall for special education services. Documenta­ gramming in order to attempt to restore eli­ from a school that changed students to special tion supports that the basis for referring the gibility for athletics. We appreciate the co­ ed in an extremely short period of time. In students for special education was to restore operative manner in which your staff members accordance with UIL rules, this school will their eligibility for extracunicular activities. submitted the requested documentation to us. have to forfeit all games in which these students Because of failing grades, the three students in played after being moved to special education question should have been suspended from • • • the second six week. ing placement in special education. In all participation during the second six-weeks. In meeting with the TEA staff, one of • • • three cases where the student was found eli­ Their participation in football constituted a our main concerns was that other students The Texas Education Agency states: gible for special education, the ARD com­ violation of state law (TEC 21.920) and the had asked to be processed through the ARD According to TEC 21.503(b)(1)(B), a mittees recommended tutorial assistance in State BoardofEducationrule(TAC97.113(f)) committee six weeks prior to the request of handicapped student is defined as a "student the Content Mastery Classroom program af­ governing extracunicular activities. Accord­ these students and their requests had not been whose disabilities are so limiting as to require ter the students failed a course the first six ing to the coach, one or more of these students acted on when these students were assigned to the provision of special services in place of or weeks. However, there was nothing so unique participated in four more football games after special education. One of the basic tenets of in addition to instruction in the regular about the tutoring services recommended that the six weeks grading period ended. The dates UIL rules is to see that UIL participants are classroom." For these three students, there would require that they be provided through involved include: October 18, October 25, not given any special privileges over other was no documentation to justify why place­ special education. In some cases, there was November 1, and November 8, 1991. The students. If we do rush up the system for ment in special education was necessary. There documentationshowingthatregular education schools won two out of four games, on Octo­ athletesorother participants we are in violation is no evidence that these students' disabilities tutoring had been provided previously and ber 18 and November 1. of this basic tenet. are so limiting as to require special education found to be successful. services. Clearly the past history of these Federal regulation34CFR300.5(a) states students indicates that they have been rea­ that "...the term handicapped children means Hospitality receptions set in motion sonably successful without special education those children evaluated...as having specific In coordination with Mikasa Sports, the ball championship in Houston. The event services. There is extensive evidence that learning disabilities, who because of those officialUIL volleyball sponsor, theUIL hosted was a tremendous success, thanks to the fi­ these students will continue to experience impairments need special education and re­ two hospitality receptions at the 1991 Vol­ nancial contributions of Wilson Sporting success with regular education adaptations lated services." There is no evidence that the leyball Championships.