A bill that could allow eighth graders to participate in all high school sports is headed to the governor.
Iowa eighth graders already may play baseball and softball during the summer. The bill directs the Iowa Department of Education to consult with organizations that oversee high school sports to develop rules for how eighth graders could participate in fall, winter and spring sports.
The bill’s original intent is to reduce the amount of time a student who transfers schools through open enrollment must sit out before competing in varsity sports. Under current law, students must sit out 90 consecutive school days. The bill would change that to 140 calendar days.
