Iowa eighth graders cleared for high school sports in effort to boost participation

Iowa eighth graders cleared for high school sports in effort to boost participation

OSKALOOSA — Varsity sports could be coming a year sooner for some individuals in Iowa. The Iowa State Board of Education has recently approved emergency rule changes including allowing eighth graders to be eligible to participate in varsity sports starting…

Letter to the editor: Educator opposes eighth graders in high school sports

To the editor: Iowa House File 2591, which allows for eighth graders to play high school sports, is going into effect for the 2026-2027 school year. As a high school counselor and a middle school and high school coach for 26 years, this really worries me. As a high school counselor, I have seen the impact that the stress of sports at the high school level can have on students’ mental health. The pressure to be at early morning practices, get goo…