ACS’s Athletic Eligibility Fast Track© program is for any student athlete that has lost eligibility or is at risk for losing athletic eligibility due to poor academic performance. The goal is to quickly remediate the situation, restoring the student to good standing, and to further introduce strategies that will allow them to avoid future academic probation.
Fast track offers immediate intervention with a personal academic coach who is familiar with the rigors of athletics, and respects the many requirements of an athlete. In the style of holistic athletic coaching, the academic coach will utilize similar techniques including direct instruction, modeling, multiple practice, and feedback looping.
Oftentimes, when a student athlete is placed on academic probation, there is a lot of blaming and a victim mindset that emanates from the student. In order to regain athletic eligibility, the student needs to understand that the only person who can truly return them to good standing, is themselves. They do not, however, have to do it alone!
Our Athletic Eligibility Fast Track program can be set up to accommodate the athletic schedule and coaching can take place either before or during the school day. Coordination between all stakeholders, including the student athlete, academic coach, the athletic coach and the school is an integral part of what will make this a successful endeavor. By wrapping the support and providing a consistent message to the student, they will inherently come to understand the importance of their academic performance in relation to their athletic involvement, but also the value of problem solving and persistence in overcoming a challenge. This can further minimize emotional resistance and stress on the student’s part.
Fast track coaches provide accountability for their students by working side by side, ensuring that high quality work gets turned in on time, tests are prepared for incrementally, and that papers and projects are given best efforts. Your student athlete will learn how to “eat an elephant” in the sense that they will come to understand how to break down assignments and tasks that seem overwhelming. Problem solving behaviors and time management are both heavily emphasized throughout the entirety of the curriculum.
Just as athletic coaches provide inspiration to their team, our academic coaches will motivate and encourage students to be their very best. They will help them to push past their perceived limitations and surround them with positive examples of what it takes to do well in school and beyond.