I have no problem with maintaining grade standards for sports and non academic activities. Where I have problems is when a child really is achieving at his potential and isn't passing.

My daughter is a high school coach and keeps a close eye on players' grades. If they fail in class, they can't play. She does a lot of counseling to help them keep their grades up. She works with parents to help. Being on the team is an incentive to make good grades. She supports the policy of requiring passing grades in order to participate in extracurricular activities.

It's a really complicated situation, as there's different reasons for bad grades popping up.
If a student is legitimately struggling to keep up with their classes, then they shouldn't be punished.
If a student is willfully neglecting their work, then yes. She should be barred from participating.
If a student was doing good and suddenly isn't, that's an alarming sign that should be looked into. (I was one of these students in Middle and High School. I don't think any of the staff really recognized the signs.)
If a student is doing moderately well in most things, but is struggling in a particular area, then maybe it should be looked into to see what the issue is. If it's a learning thing (IE: needing tutoring in that subject), then they shouldn't be barred. But if it's just a thing of not applying themselves, or not caring about the class, then maybe an argument could be made there.

A lot of different scenarios with different results and responses. It is a complicated matter.

If they can't maintain a c-level... yes on all counts.

Then, it depends on what we call an "Activity." If it's sports... yes. If it's drama, academic decathlon, math meets, then no.

Interesting question and responses. This seems to be an American issue only?

I cannot imagine anywhere in the UK where a child would be prevented from taking part in any aspect of school activity/ life because they are struggling with an academic subject. Why would you punish a child that way, how does that help them achieve their potential, and as many point out what for one may be a low grade for others it is a fantastic achievement given their latent ability.

No......unless the reason for bad grades is sheer laziness.
I was a teacher and what looks like a bad grade may be a major achievement for some

I think partly yes because it could be common for kids to be like "I don't care if I have bad grades, I'm good at football" which isn't a good mindset

And it's almost impossible to have really bad grades if you're TRYING to do good

I’m 50/50 on this. I think it’s also important the “why” behind bad grades. I had a high school chemistry teacher that was a former college professor. He was sooo shocked that some 14 year olds couldn’t do college level chemistry, so most failed. It was beyond our skill level and he wasn’t competent to be teaching beginners. I spent every day after class harassing that man so I could pass. He should have changed the way he taught children compared to grad students lol

Torn about this. Over the years I have seen a good many athletes suddenly work very hard on grades so they can play sports again.

I think they should be allowed school clubs and intramural sports.

If a child focuses ONLY on football, or gymnastics, they may find their career peaks at graduation, and because of grades, other career paths may be difficult.

No, that only discourages them more from applying themselves.

No. Some kids have a learning disability. It's unfair to blame them.

I knew a girl in high school that was a good athlete but mediocre student. She loved sports, and said that was the only reason she stayed in school. She worked hard enough to graduate then went into the Navy where she had a successful career. I think having to get good enough grades helped her be successful as an adult.

School, in a perfect world, is the education of body and mind. It is also socialization. Bad grades should be something that parents address at home. Unfortunately, some schools ALSO restrict participation on various sports teams if the student is struggling so badly they can't manage to do both.

Only if they don’t give a shit

To a point. It should be progress based per student instead of pass or fail. Some kids won't ever pass but make loads of progress.

They should have some threshold to reach, I dont know what it is....passing grades I guess.
When they get to college and if they are exceptional athletes the schools inflate the grades to keep them on the team...that's wrong.

If they wilfully misbehaved it could be an effective punishment but barring them merely for poor results without establishing why, would be absurd, pointless, cruel and possibly self-defeating.

No, you don't know what someone is going through at home and it's not like they can remove themselves and start a better life elsewhere.

No because for many that is the only activity they may ever get to do. Many parents cannot afford to put their kids in activités

I say yes...when I played sports I was told by my parents that I had to have a passing grade in each class or I would not be playing.

No. That's discouraging. I feel if they fail, they should still be encouraged to participate.

Incentives work... But they have to applied with some compassion

here they have to maintain grades to qualify to play sports

Not in elementary school, but higher up, yes

I think it should be effort based, if they’re not turning in assignments not showing up etc then they should be excluded but if they’re genuinely trying and the school doesn’t have the resources to accommodate them in let’s say math because they truly struggle they should still be allowed to participate!

That is how my kid's school is. Grades is important

Tough question. I understand the reasoning behind the policy, but at the same time school activities may be the only thing keeping a kid in school at all. Perhaps best -- and possibly too ideal -- is to let them participate while encouraging them to try and improve their grades?

No

Extracurricular activities are a privilege not a right. Privilege is based on grades and citizenship, and sometimes money.

No, it's probably the only part of school they give a darn about, and are probably as good if not better athletes.

Good question - Well they made a movie Coach Carter and he got the students attention and better grades

No because I know some kids that only even go to class because of school activities.

The criterion should not be performance achieved but effort expended.

That's a silly idea. Where did it come from?

Does it depend on which activities?

Absolutely not! What would that serve?

How... 🤔 republican of you.

No

No.

Yes. As much of derelict student I was who hated school work the primary purpose of school is academics, not recreational activities. Sports and extracurricular activities aren't important. They are silly games for recreation. Having a prerequisit average grade point average is reasonable.