ZALMA WINS TIFF WITH HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

ZALMA -- Thanks to the efforts of the Zalma School District, three more high school athletes got to participate in volleyball in the fall.

Now, the Zalma school is being honored by the Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, a state group that fights for rights of disabled students. Zalma received the first such commendation by the organization for its action.

The girls, all three special education students, had been denied eligibility by the Missouri High School Activities Association, the group that governs athletics and other extra-curricular activities in Missouri high schools.

Zalma school officials challenged the ruling ... and won.

Kent Kolaga, advocacy specialist with Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, said Zalma's commendation is a rarity.

"We usually find ourselves in an adversarial role with school districts," Kolaga said. "When the school was told by the high school activities association that the students were not eligible, they said, `Wait a minute.' Instead of just buying it and going along with it, they questioned the decision.

"They took the time and made the effort and came all the way up from Zalma to Columbia to argue the point. They went the extra mile."

Gail Cox, director of special services at Zalma, will accept the award at a Friday luncheon.

Cox explained: "The three girls last year were not receiving any special education services. They had a tough time and had earned two credits each during the last semester."

The MHSAA rules say students must have passed 2.25 credits in order to participate. The girls had passed 2 credits.

During the summer, all three were evaluated and all three met the criteria for receiving special education services. As a result, each had an Individual Educational Program (IEP), which outlines their courses of study and extra-curricular activities.

"As part of the IEP, we specified they all be included in the volleyball program," Cox said.

Eligibility was denied. School officials and parents of the girls talked with experts and advocates from Missouri and Washington D.C.

A representative of the Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services was there to observe the proceedings. One of the parents had contacted the organization's office looking for information.

"We contested, went to Columbia, met with board, presented our position and they did go ahead and declare the girls all eligible," Cox said.

Cox said it was important for these students to have an opportunity to play.

"Academics are difficult for all three," Cox explained. "They put up a tremendous effort last year in order to participate in volleyball."

She added, "Different kids are motivated by different things. Academics are not a real motivating factor for some kids, but if they get to play as a result of being fairly successful, they will do it."

At Zalma, volleyball is the only athletic competition available for girls.

Kolaga explained that the issue is not resolved. Although the girls were allowed to participate, they were granted a hardship eligibility rather than being eligible based on the IEP, as the school district had argued.

"The association had no policies along these lines," Kolaga said. "I believe they intend to develop some new policies concerning students with disabilities."

Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services periodically honors a person or group for going the extra mile on behalf of disabled students. "We don't give awards on any regular basis," Kolaga said. "When we see someone who needs some recognition, someone who has done something positive and meaningful, we like to recognize that effort."

Zalma is a small community in Bollinger County. Kolaga said small schools with limited resources often don't fight such decisions.