Subchapter D: 2nd-8th Grades (1470)
Section 1470: SPELLING
- (a) THE CONTEST.
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(1) Summary. This contest is designed to give students exposure to a wide variety of vocabulary words. It is not a contest of memorization. For the most educational value, preparation for this contest should include instruction in the rules of the English language, meanings and definitions, and root words. In addition to learning to spell proficiently, contestants will learn to write clearly and to capitalize words properly. Words will come from the appropriate UIL spelling list, state adopted textbooks and words of common usage. Approximately 20 percent of the test words will come from sources other than the UIL spelling lists. The source designated in official contest procedures will serve as the authority for all words in the contest
(2) Contest Format. Students will write down words given by the pronouncer on their paper at a rate of approximately five words per minute.
(A) Grades 3 and 4: 50 words; tie breaker, 15 words.
(B) Grades 5 and 6: 80 words; tie breaker, 20 words.
(C) Grades 7 and 8: 110 words; tie breaker, 30 words.The tiebreaker is given to all contestants immediately following the initial test. Contestants who do not take the tiebreaker shall be disqualified.
- (b) REPRESENTATION.
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(1) Contestants. Students in officially prescribed grade levels below 9th grade who are eligible under Sections 1400 and 1405 may enter this contest.
(2) Divisions. Districts shall offer either a separate division for each participating grade level or combined grade level divisions as specified in official contest procedures.
(3) Individual Competition. For each division, each participant school may enter as many as three contestants in the district meet.
(4) Team Competition. If the district has elected to include team competition, the combined scores of the three contestants in each division from a school shall constitute the school’s team score. A team shall have three contestants compete to participate in the team competition.
- (c) CONTEST ADMINISTRATION.
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(1) Personnel. The contest director will be in charge of running the contest and resolving any problems that arise. The director may also serve as the pronouncer as long as he/she is not the coach of any student in the contest. The pronouncer shall not be a coach of any contestant entered in the contest. Responsibilities of the pronouncer are as specified in official contest procedures. Additional required and recommended contest personnel are specified in official contest procedures.
(2) Verification Period. A verification period shall be provided. Unofficial results should be posted. Contestants and coaches should be given no more than 15 minutes to examine their test papers with official keys. Questions should be directed to the contest director, whose decisions shall be final.
(3) Ties and Points. Ties in individual competition are to be broken by scoring the tie breaker test of only those involved in the tie. When calculating team scores, do not include scores from the tie breaker portion of the test unless a tie exists. If a tie exists in team competition, calculate the tie breaker scores for only those teams involved in the tie. If the tie remains after scoring the tie breaker, the tie shall stand. If there is a tie for first place, there is no second place. If there is a tie for second place, there is no third place, etc. Points are awarded as specified in Section 1408 (i).
(4) Certificates. Students who score 100% in district competition are eligible to receive a Certificate of Achievement. Words misspelled on the tie breaker do not disqualify a student from a certificate.
(5) Official Results. After the verification period has ended and all test papers have been collected, the contest director shall announce the official results. Official results, once announced, are final.
(6) Returning Materials. No materials from district contests may be returned to contestants prior to official release dates.