Division I International Student-Athlete Academic Issues 2011 NCAA Regional Rules Steve Clar Academic and Membership Affairs NCAA Holly Smith International Academic Certification NCAA Eligibility Center

Overview Determination of Initial Eligibility. Updated Case Studies. Ukraine, Sweden, British-Patterned Caribbean, Quebec. United Kingdom’s Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC)/National Vocational Qualification (NVQ). Multiple-Tiered Country Interpretation (September 4, 2009). International Student Records Committee Updates. International Transfers.

Determination of Initial Eligibility

Determination of Initial Eligibility NCAA Eligibility Center Responsibilities: Evaluate academic documents for all PSAs according to the NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility (Guide). Determine completion of core-course requirements . Calculate core-course GPA. Establish official graduation dates.

Determination of Initial Eligibility International academic documents listed in the Guide: Category One. Document satisfies high school graduation and core- curriculum requirements. The core GPA must still be determined. France’s Diplome de Baccalaureat General (exam-based). Sweden’s Slutbetyg from a Gymnasieskola (transcript- based).

Determination of Initial Eligibility Category Two. Document satisfies high school graduation, but not core- curriculum requirements; NCAA Eligibility Center evaluates documents to determine if the 16 core-course distribution and core GPA are satisfied. Jamaica’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) often referred to as the “CXC’s” (exam-based). British Columbia’s Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma often referred to as the “Dogwood Diploma” (transcript- based).

Determination of Initial Eligibility Category Three. Documents do not, by themselves, satisfy high school graduation. May be combined with Category Two documents to determine if the core curriculum and core GPA are satisfied. Ireland’s Junior Certificate (grade nine certificate; exam- based). Spain’s Bachillerato de Grado Superior (secondary-school diploma; grade 10; transcript-based).

Determination of Initial Eligibility Category Four. Documents indicate PSA is a transfer and must meet transfer requirements. May also have to satisfy initial-eligibility requirements. Official upper secondary-school education documents are still required to certify the graduation date. Transcript from an Instituto Technologico (technological institute) in Costa Rica. Diploma from the Indian School of Mines in India.

Case Studies

GPA Calculation – Category One Category One transcript and exam-based documents: Evaluated by reviewing the grades of the core courses/ exams listed on the document regardless of grades earned. Failed grades in core subjects are included in the evaluation. Grades are weighted in accordance with the unit values listed on the credential if applicable. The academic rigor of the program is considered to be equivalent to the core-course distribution.

Category One Exam-Based Document – Ukraine Atestat from an upper secondary school. Exam addendum to the Atestat. Numeric Grades

Category One Exam-Based (English Translation) – Ukraine School Exams State Exams Graduation certificate in English.

Category One Exam-Based Document – Ukraine Convert all exam grades that are core to U.S. grades using the Ukraine entry in the Guide. Add up all of the quality points achieved after converting the core exam grades to U.S. grades. Divide the total number of quality points achieved by the total number of core exams used in the academic certification. ***Make sure to request an official line-by-line English translation of the entire document (diploma and exam addendum).***

Category One Exam-Based (English Translation) – Ukraine Ukraine (p. 148 of the Guide): Grading scale (may not be all inclusive): Numeric Grade U.S. Grade QP Equivalent 5 (10-12) A 4 4 (7-9) B 3 3 (4-6) C 2 (lowest passing grade) 2 (1-3) F 0 State exams: 9 (B -3), 10 (A -4), 10 (A -4), 11 (A -4), 8 (B -3), 8 (B -3), 8 (B -3), 8 (B -3), 8 (B -3), 10 (A -4), 8 (B -3), 9 (B -3), 8 (B -3), 6 (C -2) Graduation exams: 10 (A -4), 10 (A -4), 10 (A -4) Total quality points (state and graduation): 45 + 12 = 57 Total number of exams used: 17 exams Core GPA: 57/17 = 3.352

Category One Transcript-Based Document – Sweden Date of Issue Subject of Study

Category One Transcript-Based Document (English Translation) – Sweden Official line-by-line English translation.

Category One Transcript-Based Document – Sweden Convert all course grades that are core to U.S. grades using the Sweden entry in the Guide and then multiply the U.S. grade by the points (poang) the core course is valued (50, 100, 150). Add up all of the quality points achieved after multiplying the U.S. converted core-course grade by the core-course points. Divide the total number of quality points achieved by the total number of core-course points used in the academic certification. ***Make sure to request an official line-by-line English translation of the entire document (diploma and exam addendum).***

GPA Calculation – Category Two Exam-Based Category Two exam-based documents: Evaluated by reviewing the core exams listed on the document. The core distribution must be met as the academic rigor of the program is not automatically considered to be equivalent of the core-course distribution. The top five academic subject passes that fit the core distribution will be used only if they are passed. Failing grades are not used in the academic certification.

Category Two Exam-Based Document – CSEC or CXC CXC Certificate Date of Examination Exam Grades

Category Two Exam-Based Document – CSEC or CXC Choose the best subject pass in each core area (English, math, natural science, social science, additional academic). Convert the exam grades that are core to U.S. grades using the Guide. Add the total number of U.S. quality points and divide by the number of core exams (usually five).

Category Two Exam-Based Document – CSEC (CXC) British-Patterned Education in Caribbean (p. 34 of the Guide): Grading scale (not all inclusive): Numeric Grade U.S. Grade QP Equivalent I A 4 II B 3 III C 2 IV D 1 V D 1 (lowest passing grade) VI F 0 Exams used: English – 4 (D) Math – 3 (C) Integrated science – 1 (A) Geography – 3 (C) Additional core (physics) – 3 (C) Total quality points: 11 Total number of exams: 5 Core GPA – 2.2

GPA Calculation Category Two Transcript-Based Category Two transcript-based documents: Evaluated by reviewing the core courses listed on the document and weighted according to the units that are listed on the credential (if applicable). The core-course distribution must be met, as the academic rigor of the program is not automatically considered to be equivalent of the core-course distribution. Failing grades are not used in the academic certification.

Category Two Transcript-Based – Quebec Course Credits Course Grades Proof of Graduation

Category Two Transcript-Based – Quebec Remember to look for the 16 core-course distribution. Convert the core-course grades and credits to U.S. grades and credits using the Guide. Divide the total number of quality points from the U.S. grades by the total number of credits used to determine the core-course GPA. Will need to obtain Secondary III report card (year nine) to complete the academic certification. Will also possibly need the PSA’s CEGEP transcript or Pre-University grade 12 transcript. Quebec’s CEEB code is #998001.

United Kingdom BTEC/NVQ

United Kingdom BTEC/NVQ November 2010. The International Student Records Committee determined that the BTEC National Certificate and National Diploma and NVQ Advanced Level (Level 3) will continue to represent high school graduation. BTEC National Certificate is changing to the BTEC Level 3 Diploma. BTEC National Diploma is changing to the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

United Kingdom BTEC/NVQ BTEC National Certificate (Level 3 Diploma) should be completed within one calendar year of completing the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE). BTEC National Diploma (Level 3 Extended Diploma) should be completed within two calendar years of completing GCSE’s. NVQ Advanced Level (Level 3) should be completed within two calendar years of completing GCSE’s. Enrollment into BTEC/NVQ must occur at first opportunity.

United Kingdom BTEC/NVQ The only two BTEC courses that can be used to satisfy core- course (social science) requirements: Psychology in Sports Performance. Sports and Exercise Psychology. Please note that all PSA’s must present five GCSE subject passes: English, mathematics, science, social studies and additional core.

United Kingdom BTEC/NVQ It is not required in the United Kingdom to sit for a social science GCSE exam; however, a PSA must present the social science requirement for NCAA initial-eligibility purposes. If the PSA does not sit for a social science GCSE, they will submit year nine grade reports and will receive one-half unit of credit for each social science course per year. PSA’s will usually present one-half unit of history and one- half unit of geography.

Multiple-Tiered Country Interpretation for Division I

Multiple-Tiered Country Interpretation for Division I (September 4, 2009) Impact on graduation dates only. Applies to PSAs from countries with multiple tiers of high school/upper secondary school. E.g., United Kingdom, British-patterned Africa and Caribbean, Hong Kong, Scotland, New Zealand, Quebec (Canada). Must successfully complete tier to advance graduation date. Can advance graduation date despite delay in successful completion of a tier.

International Student Records Committee Updates November 2010 March 2011

International Student Records Committee Update – November 2010 Argentina. Grading scale for Buenos Aires amended. Lowest passing grade = 4 (previously = 5) Cambridge pre-University Diploma. New document – classified as Category Two. Corresponding grading scale established. Must earn within two years and complete all five components. Three principal subjects. Global perspectives. Independent research report.

International Student Records Committee Update – November 2010 Germany. Category Three document with Category One notation. Will be considered a Category One document. Romania. Certificat De Absolvire A Ciclului Inferior Al Liceului is a Category Three document. Singapore Integrated Program. Students in this program may use the General Paper to satisfy the English/Native Language subject pass.

International Student Records Committee Update – March 2011 Bahamas’ GCSE. May be completed after grade 11. Student can return and graduate after grade 12. If student does not return, Bahamas’ GCSE will be the graduation date. Denmark. Delayed program completion. Impact on academic and amateurism certification.

International Student Records Committee Update – November 2010 South Africa National Senior Certificate. Exam scores for public and private candidates will be treated equally. Grades of 33% to 39% will continue to be failing grades. Western Australia. Calculation of core-course GPA from Western Australia Certificates of Education. If issued prior to December 2010, D and E subjects will be used. Beginning December 2010, core courses listed in semester increments for stages one, two and three will be used. Grading scale will not change.

International Student Records Committee Update – November 2010 Application of NCAA Bylaw 14.3.5.4. What is a “similar proficiency examination?” Advanced or higher level examinations. National administered proficiency exam. Uniform grading scale. Taken subsequent to high school graduation. 1992 staff interpretation. 2011 educational column.

International Student Records Committee Update Update – March 2011 Namibia. Four-point grading scale added (1=A; 2=B; 3=B; 4=C). The grading scale for the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (Higher Level) mirrors the Higher International GCSE. Located in Guide under British-patterned Africa. Philippines. Grading scale changes. No D grades. Additional research required for A, B and C grades and the corresponding grading scale.

International Student Records Committee Update Update – March 2011 New guide entries: Chad; Luxembourg; and Liberia.

International Transfers

International Transfers Bylaw 14.01.1: Institutions must certify eligibility of all SAs. Pursuant to all eligibility requirements. Full-time enrollment. Transfer status. Progress toward degree.

International Transfers Analysis of international transfers: Did the student attend a collegiate institution? Did the student trigger full-time enrollment? If so, for how many terms?

International Transfers What resources exist to assist in the analysis? International admissions offices. Private international credential evaluators. International Student Records Committee. Request made to staff. Advisory opinion only. No appellate opportunity.

Who To Contact? Contact Information: NCAA Eligibility Center International Academic Certification Team 317/223-0700 Academic & Membership Affairs Steve Clar and Doug Healey 317/917-6003