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The Miami-Dade County School Board at its meeting of Feb. 12, unanimously approved agenda item H-13, directing the superintendent of schools to conduct a comprehensive review of the middle school athletics program in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), and convene a working group of stakeholders for middle school sports including but not limited to district staff, principals, coaches, parents, and relevant community persons, and that may include high school and instructional staff as appropriate.
The item further requests to review and analyze the allocation of funding for middle school interscholastic sports to determine current funding levels and school program challenges and deficiencies that may be linked to inadequate funding; explore and secure partnerships, including but not limited to county, municipal, and other community partners, and adopt strategies to produce additional revenue to support enhancements to middle schools and K-8 interscholastic athletics programs; develop a written plan and program to ensure continued and consistent review and solicit input from stakeholders for middle school sports on at least an annual basis, and prior to the commencement of fall sports for each succeeding school year, and review applicable policies and procedures, including School Board Policy 2431, Interscholastic Athletics, and, if appropriate, initiate rulemaking to amend applicable policies and procedures.
M-DCPS highlights the importance of student involvement in interscholastic sports, noting its positive impact on citizenship, sportsmanship, self-discipline, emotional wellness, and academics. Success in sports is about more than winning — it builds character, fosters relationships, and develops lifelong skills. Recently, there’s been an increased focus on middle school athletics, which support developmental growth, encourages friendships, and teaches teamwork, time management, and healthy habits. Middle school sports also offer valuable life skills and exposure to college recruiters, with some students receiving scholarship offers as early as eighth grade.
Currently, M-DCPS offers a variety of sports at 105 schools, including 50 middle and 55 K-8 schools, across three seasons (fall, winter, and spring). However, the expansion of private and non-traditional school choice options has created increased competition as it relates to enrollment due to both their flexibility in athletic participation for middle school students and larger investments in middle school athletic programs.
Such qualities and offerings often prove a valuable marketing and recruitment tool for such schools. For M-DCPS to compete in both the student enrollment and athletic competition space, a review of interscholastic programs for middle school students in M-DCPS should be conducted.
“I am thankful for the unanimous co-sponsorship and support of this item, which will seek to improve and strengthen interscholastic sports programs at the middle and K-8 levels,” said Dr. Steve Gallon III.
“Interscholastic sports at these grade configurations and levels are a great vehicle to improve students’ confidence, citizenship, sportsmanship, self-discipline, and physical and emotional wellbeing. An increased focus and investment in these programs will improve the overall quality and success of M- DCPS.”
Pursuant to agenda item H-13, a report on the actions of this item will be provided to the school board no later than May 30.
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