Page 103 - Demo

100Approval of International Student ProgramsBy-Law 3.034.3 creates an eligibility exception for students attending high school in Illinois who are not U.S. citizens or residents. To qualify for eligibility under the by-law, such students not residing with their parents or guardian must be attending their Illinois high school under the auspices of an organization approved by CSIET. The student may also gain eligibility if attending high school in Illinois under the auspices of a program approved by the IHSA Board of Directors. The IHSA Board has established the following program approval criteria for exchange programs for international students not participating in a CSIET approved program.To be considered for IHSA Board approval, programs must meet the following criteria, as demonstrated by documentation or other objective evidence:a. All international students must successfully meet the minimum requirements of a full academic course load and demonstrate the social skills to participate in co-curricular activities.b. Financial aid for enrolled international students must be need-based and must be available to all students in an equitable manner.c. Any and all financial aid provided to students in the program shall be disclosed.d. Supervision of residential life (residential facility or host family) staff should include a formal staff application, interview,e. background check and ongoing training during the year.f. The selection of a school for a student shall not be for athletic purposes.Programs seeking approval must also submit the following documentation:a. Documentation establishing that the International student program has been in existence for greater than 2 years and is clearly tied to the school mission.b. An outline of the placement process for students, from initial contact to final placement.c. A description of the process which local or area representatives must follow in the placement of students.d. A description of the process used by the program to identify and secure local or area representatives.e. Documentation establishing that the school and program will provide comprehensive academic and residential life support and supervision through stated admission criteria, orientation, and ongoing support for both the host family and student.f. Documentation of admission criteria, which shall include, but not be limited to, academic and English proficiency, and anassessment of readiness to adjust to American culture as demonstrated by application and interview.g. Copies of any and all training materials provided to local or area representatives and documentation that all required training has been completed.h. A description of the process used by the program and local or area representatives to identify and secure host families, if applicable.Following submission of the foregoing, the Executive Director may investigate and may request such additional information as he/she or the Board deem necessary for full consideration of the program. The Executive Director shall notify the program whether it has been approved, in writing, following the Board’s consideration.Criteria for Approval of Foreign Exchange Student Programs by the Illinois High School AssociationBoard of Directors’ approval of foreign exchange student programs, for purposes of determining the residence eligibility for athletics offoreign exchange students in member schools, is required by Section 3.034.3 of the By-laws. In compliance with this provision, the Board of Directors has determined that only those exchange programs with “full listing” status in the 2024-2025 CSIET Advisory List may be approved for the2024-2025 school term. Qualifying programs must submit the following documentation to the IHSA office for approvalby the Executive Director:1. An outline of the placement process for students, from initial contact to final placement.2. A description of the process local or area representatives must follow in the placement of students.3. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of all local or area representatives responsible for student placement.4. Copies of any and all training materials provided to local or area representatives and documentation that all required training has been completed.5. A description of the process used by the program to identify and secure local or area representatives.6. A description of the process used by the program and local or area representatives to identify and secure host schools.7. A description of the process used by the program and local or area representatives to identify and secure host families.8. The procedures for follow up with local or area representatives to ensure that the program’s placement process has been followed.9. The procedures for post placement follow up with the local or area representatives and the students placed by the program.Following submission of the documentation described above and any additional documentation and/or investigation deemed necessary by the Executive Director, the Executive Director shall notify the program whether it has been approved.5. APPROVED FOREIGN EXCHANGE PROGRAMSPlease see the IHSA website (www.IHSA.org) for a current list of the programs that have been approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with By-law 3.034.3. To obtain an eligibility ruling for a student under one of these programs, schools should complete the on-line IHSA Foreign Exchange Student Eligibility Request.