The New York State Education Department is promoting changes to its rules governing Mixed Competition, Extra Class Activities and the Athletic Placement Process (Sections 135.1, 135.4 and 135.5) in an effort to provide student-athletes of all genders equal opportunities.

The proposed amendments will bring changes to the following athletic participation topics:

• Health Examinations

• Requirements for Participation

• Equal Opportunity to Participate in Extra Class Activities

• Tanner Scale Evaluation and Risk

For the complete recommendations, click here: The NYS Board of Regents Proposed Amendment Sections 135.1, 135.4, 135.5

The state is currently in a 60-day open comment period regarding these amendments. Any teachers, parents, students and community leaders who would like to comment on these changes are asked to contact their area Regent. For Tonawanda City School District, that Regent is Catherine Collins. She can be reached at Regent.Collins@nysed.gov.

After the 60-day open comment period, the changes recommended by NYSED will be presented to the Board of Regents at the September 2024 meeting. If adopted at that meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on September 25, 2024.

To read more about the proposal, click here: Buffalo News: NY Board of Regents aims for gender-neutral sports