UIL Approach - College Ready Learning Outcomes

High school Athletic Directors and coaches have many responsibilities but the number one goal should be preparation of their student-athletes for college. Requiring coaches to provide learning outcomes would benefit the student-athletes academically by focusing on an awareness of student progress (PSAT, ACT, and SAT scores) and identifying areas that need improvement, as well as an attention to expanding cognitive and social horizons. This would put an emphasis on coaches making their athletes aware of college requirements in their freshman/sophomore years rather than waiting for their junior/senior years to begin testing for college requirements.

 

Being an NCAA certified college recruiter, I have had to ‘pass’ on many potential student-athletes because they do not have adequate test scores. Every high school athlete has (or should have) the dream of playing college sports or attending college. It is my beliefs that parents of high school athletes would rather have their child earn a college scholarship than win a State Championship. Many head coaches are judged by how many athletes they put into the college ranks.  By providing learning outcomes and other assessment tools, the entire athletic program (especially the athletes) benefits --- it’s a win/win!