2700.1 Participation by students in grades four (4) through twelve (12) in interscholastic athletic programs provided by the D.C. Public Schools shall be governed by the rules and procedures set forth in this chapter.

2700.2 Interscholastic athletics shall place emphasis upon teaching principles and practices of good sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play through athletics, as well as providing instruction in the skills of athletics. Safety standards shall be implemented with regard to students' physical health, training and practice, equipment, the physical environment, and first aid.

2700.3 Students shall not be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be treated differently from other students, or otherwise be unlawfully discriminated against in interscholastic athletics, for any reason, including but not limited to, sex, handicapping condition, race, color, religion, citizenship status, national origin, marital status, personal appearance, and sexual orientation.

2700.4 Notwithstanding the requirements set forth under § 2700.3, separate teams for members of each sex may be operated where selection for such sport is based upon competitive skill or the activity involved is a contact sport. However, where a team in a particular sport is operated for members of one sex but no such team has been operated for members of the other sex, and athletic opportunities for members of that sex have previously been limited, members of the excluded sex shall be allowed to try-out for the team.

2700.5 The Supervising Director of Athletics shall announce annually the sport seasons for interscholastic contests.

2700.6 Postseason games shall be limited to contests approved by the Supervising Director of Athletics. In making this decision consideration shall be given to, but not necessarily limited to, the following factors:

(a) Loss of school time by students and coaches;

(b) Liability for the students and the school;

(c) Effect on total school athletic program;

(d) Length of the sport season;

(e) Level of students participating;

(f) Effect upon students' current or college eligibility;

(g) Effect upon maintaining students' amateur status;

(h) Nature of compensation offered by sponsors to students and coaches; and

(i) Credibility of sponsors.

2700.7 Summer athletic league participation by school teams shall not be sanctioned and the name of a school, school equipment, supplies and facilities shall not be used for such participation.

2700.8 Schools, or any representatives thereof, shall not seek to influence students to transfer from one school to another for the purpose of participating in interscholastic athletics.

2700.9 Except as provided in Section 2700.11 below, varsity teams in senior high schools shall be limited to eligible students enrolled in that high school in grades nine (9), ten (10), eleven (11), and twelve (12).

2700.10 Junior varsity teams in senior high schools shall be limited to eligible students enrolled in grades nine (9), ten (10), and eleven (11).

2700.11 Ninth (9th), tenth (10th), eleventh (11th), and twelfth (12th) graders who attend junior high schools or high schools in which a desired sport is not offered may participate in such sports on the teams at one of the following:

(a) The high school within the student's attendance zone;

(b) If the student is attending junior high school out of zone, the high school in which the junior high school currently attended feeds; or

(c) A high school selected by the parent and agreed upon by the sending and receiving principals.

2700.12 Students who have participated in varsity competition on one (1) or more occasions shall be ineligible to participate in junior varsity competition in the same sport.

2700.13 The Superintendent shall establish an Advisory Committee on Interscholastic Athletics which shall include in its membership central, regional and local school officers, coaches, parents, students and community representatives. The primary function of this Committee shall be to advise the Supervising Director of Athletics on matters pertaining to the organization, management, and improvement of the interscholastic athletic programs in the D.C. Public Schools.

2700.14 The Director of Athletics shall ensure that tie-breaking procedures are established and publicized to the D.C. Public School athletic community at the commencement of each sport season.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 25 DCR 9873 (May 4, 1979); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 38 DCR 5659 (September 6, 1991); as amended by Final Rulemaking published 46 DCR 3686 (April 23, 1999).