Academic Progress Rate: Something to Consider

I would've thought Duke would be ranked APR-wise. Congrats Prepster!!

Hey Prepster! Been missing you! Impressive APR for UNC.

Interesting that each and everyone of those programs are winning programs on the field as well and each and everyone of those schools lose players to the draft each year. My understanding that exceptional team GPA and drafted players returning to graduate adds bonus to the APR?

Yeah, but are they "Smarter than a 5th Grader?" I love that show after American Idol.


Congratulations to all whose student-athletes have helped those ratings to be what they are.


And I will certainly show my son.....................

quote:

I would've thought Duke would be ranked APR-wise.

Keep in mind that this list is limited to "USA Today's" preseason baseball coaches' poll.

quote:

Originally posted by Prepster:
Keep in mind that this list is limited to "USA Today's" preseason baseball coaches' poll.

That makes soooo much more sense!!! I thought it was coincidental that they were all the same teams and couldn't fathom how certain non-ranked teams (like Duke) didn't have higher APRs.

Wonder when the NCAA is going to release ratings for all schools. Their website is on the fritz today.

play baseball, I gotta admit "I'm dumber than a fifth grader!".

According to the article:

"The NCAA has determined that each team should hit at least 92.5 percent of its possible total, which translates into a minimum APR of 925 and a projected graduation rate of 50 percent."

I noticed that teams ranked 17th on down from their list are below the minimum standards and could face possible sanctions.

Frank,
Only a few below standards.

My understanding is that, teams with low GPA and high transfer rates are gonna get hit with sanctions this year. Graduation rates, I think due to the way the draft works in baseball, the NCAA will still look the other way.

I know that at son's school, it's a given you return to graduate if you go pro early.

What puzzles me is that this APR data is apparently from the 2004-5 school year. The NCAA has not released any new data on its web site since then.
Still, Prepster's point is well taken. The quality of the program should be reflected in more than just the polls.

And JUCO transfers who come in and then gradute are not part of the formula as far as I know

quote:

Only a few below standards.

Understood. I didn't name names and was only going by what I read in the article.

Seems to be a little confusion re: how the NCAA is doing this. Sanctions were enforced 2006-07 school year. I know because son's school was hit with the maximum 1.17 scholly loss. GPA doesn't figure into this (though that could change) nor does leaving for pro ball. Not sure how the NCAA makes allowances for drafted players, but that may have been covered in another thread.
Maybe this will help clear some things up. This also from USA Today 3/2/06.
INSIDE THE APR: KEY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. How is the academic progress rate calculated?

A. Every student-athlete contributes up to two points per semester or quarter: one point for being enrolled and one point for being on track to graduate. The total points earned are divided by the total possible points. A 13-member basketball team, for example, could earn 52 points at a semester-based school. If the team earns 47 points, that's 90.3%, a score of 903. A one-time bonus point is earned when an athlete graduates. A team can be subject to penalties if its score is below 925, a figure the NCAA calculates as a predictor of a 60% graduation rate. Not every team falling below this line is penalized. This year the formula includes a squad-size adjustment to accommodate for a low sample size and two years of data. Sports with smaller rosters, such as basketball, have a larger squad-size adjustment.

Q. How are penalties enforced?

A. Up to 10% of scholarships can be taken away. In Division I-A football, for example, 85 scholarships are available and a maximum of nine scholarships can be lost. Affected teams must accept the penalties at their earliest opportunity — this year or next — but institutions must honor their commitments to student-athletes already signed or enrolled.

Q. Are scholarship reductions the only penalties?

A. Right now yes. Over the next couple of years, historical penalties will be phased in for teams that continue to underperform. Sanctions then could include restrictions on recruiting, reduction of schedules and postseason bans.

Q. How do APR penalties affect programs already operating with reduced scholarships because of NCAA rules infractions?

A. It's a double whammy. The APR reductions will be added to any loss of scholarships in place.

Q. Why were so many baseball teams affected?

A. Baseball has several factors working against it. The sport's heavy travel schedule, the large number of players leaving school early to turn professional and a high transfer rate compared with football and basketball could account for some of the low numbers.

spizzlepop,
Thanks for adding that in.

However, my understanding is, big part of the problem, that students not maintaining appropriate GPA in their major are taking less classes per sememster, to improve GPA, or not taking appropriate courses for banked credit hours (does that make sense).

In reality GPA has a lot to do with the equation, so I have been told.

TPM,
Yes as I read this, GPA absolutely has a lot to do with it, just not directly as a factor in the equation used by NCAA. Surely they have to maintain a minimum GPA in core classes to maintain eligibility and appropriate progress towards graduating with the declared major. Must be a specialist's job at each school. That's why they have NCAA compliance officers.
I'd like to hear how they are making adjustments for drafted players. Anyone know this?

My understanding is that a school will not be penalized for drafted players IF the player returns to complete his requirements within a certain period of time, percentages.
Maybe one of the reasons, I am assuming, why the info on grad rates is based on performance from a few years back. I know that if son leaves, he is expected to return and take 15 credits each fall, which would earn him degree in two years (two semesters). He has worked really hard to remain on track and is fortunate to have a good athletic advisor to keep him on track.

Just read in the newest issue of SI (March5, 07) an interesting article by George Dorhmann on the subject. Sorry I can't post the link as it's not yet on SI.com.

Highlights include this quote from UOP head coach Ed Sprague, "You ask yourself questions like, if I don't give this kid immediate playing time, will he transfer, and what does that mean for my APR?"

The piece also notes that schools lose scholarships (for drafted players) "only if the departing players are academically ineligible."

Seems that the NCAA may have been a little surprised that the historically underperforming schools did not draw penalties, especially in the major conferences for football and basketball. Of 6,112 D1 teams, 105 lost schollys. The big names were mostly in baseball.
NCAA Academic Reform

I would also add that the NCAA released this year's sanctions on March 1 of 2006. When are they going to announce the next round?

TPM-what about instructional league and fall league, they may get in the way of returning in the fall?

Deldad,
I know that many of son's former teammates passed on fall instruction to go back for classes. Many weren't invited.

I also understand that it has to be agreed prior to signing, to be able to return for class.

I'm pleased that the NCAA is trying to bump the bar on academic expectations, but wonder what trends are emerging as a result.

Some college programs now expect their players to stay and complete their senior year, even if they're a top draft pick their junior year. Top junior draft picks who sign have a hard time completing their degrees within the NCAA time limit for several reasons...fall semester starting dates, December mini camps, winter leagues, Instructional League, Arizona Fall League. An invitation to either of the last two is an honor and usually not optional. Will more and more schools pressure top drafted college juniors to stay, even if its not in their best MLB professional interest? How will this impact their pro decisions?

Also, many athletes are encouraged/required to pursue less demanding majors and some schools are even creating independent study tracks to meet minimum degree plan requirements. Where is this leading? Do team GPA goals encourage coaches to guide high academic achievers away from harder classes? Will top students still pursue challenging degree tracks on athletic scholarships? Will students athletes even graduate with marketable degrees?

I often wonder if some of the NCAA systems really protect the best interests of top student athletes? Some things look better on paper than in actual practice.

Interesting post, TxMom.