NIACC Coaching Authorization

TO: Participants who Desire to Meet the Requirements to be authorized to Coach

FROM: Curtis Vais, Coaching Authorization Coordinator

DATE: May, 2008

RE: Coaching Authorization

During the 1984 legislative session, the Iowa Legislature passed a bill which provides for extracurricular contracts for individuals who coach inter- scholastic athletic activities. One section of the bill provides that school districts "shall offer an extracurricular contract for varsity head coach of the interscholastic athletic activities of football, basketball, track, baseball, softball, volleyball, gymnastics, hockey, and wrestling only to an individual possessing a teacher's certificate with a coaching endorsement."

A bill was passed in the 1993 legislative session permitting school districts, under certain circumstances, to employ a head coach in the above sports who does not have a teacher's certificate. However, in these cases, a school district must show evidence that they first tried to employ a head coach possessing a teacher's certificate.

Additionally, the bill provides that a school district may employ for the head coach of any interscholastic activities or for an assistant coach of any interscholastic athletic activity an individual possessing a coaching authorization issued by the Department of Education. The bill then provided that the State Board of Public Instruction should adopt rules for the "authorization including, but not limited to approval of courses, validity and expiration, fees and suspension and revocation of authorizations."

Also, as of 1995, it has been determined that all coaches are mandatory child abuse reporters, and will need training in this area as well. In addition, the 1999 legislature passed the following: Any individual applying for a coaching authorization after July 1, 2000, must have a theory of coaching class that includes the required five contact hours of instruction in ethics and professional practices in coaching. As of June 1, 2000, the NIACC courses do include the necessary additional material.

These rules are intended to implement 1984 Iowa Acts, Senate File 2215. Section 3.

Item 1. Chapter 19, Iowa Administrative Code, reads as follows: 282-19.1(272) Requirements. Applicants for the coaching authorization shall have completed the following requirements:

19.1(1) Successful completion of one semester credit hour or 10 contact hours in a course relating to knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of the human body in relation to physical activity.

19.1(2) Successful completion of one semester credit hour or 10 contact hours in a course relating to knowledge and understanding of human growth and development of children and youth in relation to physical activity.

19.1(3) Successful completion of two semester credit hours or 20 contact hours in a course relating to knowledge and understanding of the prevention and care of athletic injuries and medical and safety problems relating to physical activity.

19.1(4) Successful completion of one semester credit hour or 15 contact hours relating to knowledge and understanding of the techniques, ethics, theory, and professional responsibilities of coaches (as amended).

19.1(5) Beginning on or after July 1, 2000, each applicant for an initial coaching authorization shall have successfully completed one semester hour or 15 contact hours in a course relating to the theory of coaching which must include at least 5 contact hours relating to the knowledge and understanding of professional ethics and legal responsibilities of coaches.

282-19.2(272) Validity. All fees are nonrefundable. The coaching authorization shall be valid for five years, and it shall expire five years from the date of issuance. The fee for the issuance of the coaching authorization shall be $85.00.

282-19.3(272) Approval of courses. Each institution of higher education, private college or university, merged area school or area education agency wishing to offer the semester credit or contact hours for the coaching authorization must submit course descriptions for each offering to the board of educational examiners for approval. After initial approval, any changes by agencies or institutions in course offerings shall be filed with the board of educational examiners.

282-19.4(272) Application process. Any person interested in the coaching authorization shall submit records of credit to the board of educational examiners for an evaluation in terms of the required courses or contact hours.

Application materials are available from the board of educational examiners or from institutions or agencies offering approved courses or contact hours.

670--65.6 (70GASF2215) Revocation and suspension. Criteria of professional practice and rules of the Professional Teaching Practices Commission shall be applicable to the holders of coaching authorization.

North Iowa Area Community College submitted to the Division of Teacher Education and Certification, Department of Education, on February 1, 1985, the following courses for coaching authorization:

Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries............................................. 2 s.h.

Athletic Development and Human Growth.......................... ................ 1 s.h.

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology for Coaching.......................... 1 s.h.

Coaching Ethics, Techniques and Theory............................................ 1 s.h.

(Previously: Theory, Ethics, and Professional Responsibilities of Coaching Interscholastic Athletics)

On February 15, 1985, NIACC received the approval from the DE, Division of Teacher Education and Certification, to offer the above four courses to participants who desire to meet the requirements to be authorized to coach.

NIACC, Physical Education Department, will offer the following courses to those interested:

Introductory preparation in athletic training. Covers injury treatment techniques, taping, wrapping, etc. Preventive measures to reduce athletic injuries.

A one semester hour course with emphasis on Human Growth and Development and relationship to physical activity, with special attention to children and adolescents.

Students who have had a Human Growth and Development course normally taken during B.A. degree preparation, i.e. NIACC's Human Growth and Development 80:320 or, Developmental Psychology PSYC-110-PSY-121 may not need to take this course.

C. PEC-110-N001: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology for Coaching (1 S.H.)

An introduction to anatomy and physiology with stress on the relationship to athletic actions. This course is designed as an introductory course for prospective coaches with little or no background in anatomy and physiology.

Students who have already had Anatomy and Physiology may not need to take this course.

Guiding principles and techniques of coaching interscholastic athletics. Discussion of theory, ethics, and professional responsibilities as they relate to coaching interscholastic athletics.

NOTE: Resident tuition & fees, if registering for all four courses, would total $560.60. Nonresident tuition & fees, if registering for all four courses, would total $810.25.

REMINDER: Any person interested in coaching authorization shall submit records of credit to:

for an evaluation in terms of required courses needed for coaching authorization.

PLEASE NOTE: To submit a transcript of records to the Department of Education, the NIACC Records Office must have written authorization from the student.

Call (641) 422-4376/422-4388 or 1-888-GO NIACC, Ext. 4376/4388 for registration materials to enroll in one, two, three, or all of the courses. There must be at least eight (8) students to offer the course. If there is enough interest, these courses may be offered again in the winter of 2006.

Students wishing to register may do so by mail in advance or in person at the Records Office (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.). Enclosed in this packet is a student information sheet and a student schedule card. Registration is not complete until payment is received or arrangements are made with a sponsor for payment.

TUITION (tuition and fees subject to change with summer Term III fees yet to be determined).

Resident tuition is $99.85 per semester hour + $9.35 materials, lab and supplies fee per semester hour + $2.92 student activities fee per semester hour. Nonresident tuition is $149.78 per semester hour + $9.35 materials, lab and supplies fee per semester hour + $2.92 student activities fee per semester hour. Students are encouraged to register for all classes with one registration. Full-time NIACC students must pay additional for these courses.

There will be a full refund of tuition for withdrawal before the start of any class. There is no refund for withdrawal after a class begins. If a student finds it necessary to drop a class while in progress, notify the Records Office in writing. Failure to do so may result in a failing mark.

According to the guidelines stated in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, NIACC can release ONLY directory information on a student without the written consent of the student. NIACC defines directory information as the following: