Information Summary for School Nurses
2016 Athletic Placement Process
INFORMATION SUMMARY FOR SCHOOL NURSES
In April, NYSED released the 2015 Athletic Placement Process (APP) guidance document, which became effective for the 2015 fall sports season. While the APP program is not mandated,schools choosing to have such a policy should follow the process outlined in the APP document.
The District Medical Director and the Director of Physical Education/Athletics and ultimately the Board Of Education are the ones who ensure compliance with the APP. The process begins with the Director of Physical Education/Athletics who initiates the following implementation steps in order for each request: Step 1 District Policy;Step 2 Parent/Guardian Permission; Step 3 Administrative Approval after which Step 4 Medical Clearance may begin – which is the role of the district Medical Director. Below is a summary but you should read the entire document to understand the process. You may view it here.
Page / Item Highlight2 / Emphasizes that "The APP is not to be used to fill positions on teams, provide additional experience, provide an opportunity for middle school or junior high students when no modified program is offered, or to reward a student. Instead, it is aimed at the few, select students who can benefit from such placement because of their level of readiness."
3 / Indicates that the process begins with the School Medical Director (after the district policy, parental permission and administrative Approval are completed) and that fitness and skills testing should not be initiated until the Medical Director has approved the student to participate. It spells out in bold notation when the evaluation process stops. “If the medical director does not approve the student to participate in the desired sport and level, he or she may not proceed any further in the evaluation process. Medical directors should not be pressured tochange their decision. If a student is approved by the medical director, but fails to meet more than one of the physical fitness test standards, or if a student fails to meet an appropriate sport skill level as determined by the coach, he or she may not proceed any further in the evaluation process.”
4 / Emphasizes the responsibility of School Medical Director in approving an athlete for participation, the process for addressing a difference of opinion between the private provider and the School Medical Director, and appeal process for parents.
6 / Describes the responsibility of the Director of Physical Education and Athletics in ensuring that the APP is followed by all parties involved and that the Medical Director is included at appropriate times. Students must pass all parts of the APP to try out. This includes passing four out of five components at the 85% percentile for fitness test. There are no longer SPECIAL APPROVAL REQUESTS WAIVERS sent to NYSED.The required 10 step process is described step by step.
7 / Describes rationale for the Physical Maturity Examination.
9 / Provides a Director of Physical Education and/or Athletic Director APP checklist.
11 / Describes the responsibility of School Medical Director in implementing APP.
14 / Provides a District Medical Director Athletic Placement Process Checklist. The Medical Director is brought into the process by the Director of Physical Education/Athletics.
16 / Provides sample Board Policy Language
17 / Parent/Guardian Permission Form
19 / Sample Physical Maturity Assessment Form
- Tanner levels for boys and girls were amended according to the Classification of Sports According to Contact (AAP): Non Contact, Limited Contact and Contact.
- Tanner determination is based on ages at which a student normally played modified, junior varsity, and varsity. Evidence based literature on the use of developmental staging and sports is limited, and Tanner stages are not fully accepted by all of the sports medicine community. However, endocrinologists maintain that it is still the best way to estimate physical maturation in the absence of bone age x-rays.
- The Medical Director should ensure that any physical examinations in this process have signed parental and student informed consent that spells out breasts and genitals are examined (Appendix B, page 18). If you are examining students for Tanner staging, the document recommends chaperoned exams. If you choose, you may accept a private provider’s determination, unless clothed visual exam seems discrepant. The Medical Director is instructed to take into consideration the height, weight, muscle mass and Tanner rating as compared to the other athletes he/she would compete with.
20 / Provides Sample Coach’s Sport Skill Evaluation
25 / Provides Recommended Tanner Scores for Athletic Placement
25 / Identifies which sports fall into Contact and Non-Contact Sports categories as identified by *(Non Contact) +(Limited Contact) !(Contact)
32 / Provides Physical Fitness Scores
50thPercentileMeasurementsforHeightandWeight
FromCDCClinicalGrowthCharts
(
Level,GradeandAge / Boys / Girls
Level / Grade / Age / Height / Weight / Height / Weight
Modified / 7,8 / 12-13 / 5’0” / 96lbs. / 5”1” / 99lbs.
Freshman / 9 / 14 / 5’4½” / 118lbs. / 5’3” / 110lbs.
Jr.Varsity / 10-11 / 15-16 / 5’7¾” / 128lbs. / 5’3¾” / 114lbs.
Varsity / 11-12 / 16-18 / 5’9” / 144lbs. / 5’4” / 122lbs.
Classification of Sports According to Contact
(American Academy of Pediatrics Medical Conditions Affecting Sports Participation)
Non-Contact / Limited Contact / Contact
Archery / Baseball / Basketball
Badminton / Fencing / Competitive Cheerleading
Bowling / Softball / Field Hockey
Cross-Country / Volleyball / Football
Golf / Gymnastics
Rifle / Ice Hockey
Swim / Lacrosse
Tennis / Skiing (Downhill)
Track & Field / Soccer
Diving
Wrestling
Developed in collaboration with Dr. Cynthia Devore, NYSCSH Medical Director Consultant
The sample resource is located at: schoolhealthny.com– Forms | Notifications 1/2017