Schools ‘Pass-to-Play’ Bill OKd by Assembly

The Assembly on Monday overwhelmingly approved “pass-to-play” legislation designed to require high school students to maintain a C average to be eligible for extracurricular activities such as athletics, band and drama.

A 54-13 vote sent the bill, sponsored by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco), to the Senate, where a similar bill by Sen. Joseph B. Montoya (D-Whittier) awaits a floor vote.

The Brown measure, which would apply to students in grades 7 through 12, was based on a stricter Los Angeles Unified School District policy that excludes from extracurricular activity any athlete, band member or participant in a dramatic production who gets a failing grade.

‘Unable to Read or Write’

Brown wrote such a provision in his original bill, but he had to delete it to get the necessary votes for approval.

“Too many kids move through the (educational) system,” Brown said, “and the only thing they do is play basketball, football or whatever. . . . They come out at the other end . . . unable to read or write or do other kinds of things that would allow them to exist in this society.”

Opponents argued that requiring a C average could work against a low achiever, who might turn in a poor classroom performance but later become an outstanding professional athlete or musician.

“Thank God there isn’t an IQ test for the Legislature,” cracked Assemblyman Richard E. Floyd (D-Hawthorne). “Some of us might not be here.”

Assemblyman John Vasconcellos (D-Santa Clara) objected to what he labeled the “carrot-and-stick” approach of the bill.

“It says,” Vasconcellos said, “that if you don’t perform (in the classroom), you can’t do what you want (outside the classroom).”

However, Assemblywoman Teresa P. Hughes (D-Los Angeles), chairwoman of the Education Committee, said the bill actually could motivate low achievers to try to perform better in the classroom if they wanted to be on a sports team or in the band or a school play.

Brown said he was appalled to learn that two-thirds of the nation’s professional football players did not graduate from college. After their short playing careers are over, many are suited only for low-paying jobs like bus drivers or janitors, he said.

“Believe me,” he said, “academics are far more important and permanent than sports should be or will ever be.”

If school districts did not comply with provisions of the bill, they would face cuts in state funds.

Districts also could choose to impose more stringent standards for student participation in extracurricular activities than proposed by the bill.

The legislation was opposed at the committee level by the California Parent-Teacher Assn., the California Federation of Teachers and the California School Boards Assn. on the grounds that it would erode local control.