Crandall ISD is advising Pirate student-athletes and their families to complete a new University Interscholastic League eligibility screening process before the start of athletic participation for the 2026–27 school year.
The requirement is connected to the UIL Previous Athletic Participation Form, commonly known as the PAPF. The document is used to review a student’s school history, previous athletic participation and other circumstances that could affect eligibility.
For the new school year, the UIL has moved its PAPF and waiver processes into the Rank One system. The organization notified school districts that PAPFs are now initiated by parents or guardians and become available to school administrators only after the family completes the opening portion of the process.
Initial Screening Required Before Clearance
Student-athletes who previously appeared as cleared in Rank One may temporarily be shown as “PAPF Pending” or not cleared until the required screening questions have been submitted.
The UIL’s June 29 communication explained that athletes in districts already using Rank One would temporarily change from green, or cleared, to red, or not cleared, while the new process was implemented. The change does not mean that previously completed physicals or local athletic forms were deleted.
The UIL’s Rank One parent guide states that student-athletes in grades nine through 12 should not participate at any level until the required first portion of the PAPF process is completed.
Completing the screening does not necessarily mean that every athlete must undergo a full transfer review. Instead, the initial questions determine whether additional information is required.
How the Screening Works
Crandall ISD families should log into their Rank One account and open the form labeled “UIL PAPF Eligibility.” The district has indicated that the eligibility form should appear first among the student’s online athletic forms.
The initial screening asks whether the student has attended a school other than the student’s current school during the previous 12 months.
Families who answer “no” can submit the screening without completing the full PAPF. The student’s status should return to cleared once the form is processed, provided all other district requirements have been satisfied.
A “yes” answer leads to additional questions about the student’s previous school and transfer history. Depending on those answers, the family may be required to complete the full PAPF and wait for a district eligibility review.
Returning Crandall ISD students who have remained in the district throughout the previous year should generally have a shorter process. Families of new or transferring students may need to provide additional details and should communicate with the student’s head coach before completing the form when questions arise.
UIL Rules for New and Transfer Students
UIL rules require the new-student eligibility questionnaire, which is the first page of the PAPF process, for new students in grades nine through 12. It must be completed before a new student participates in a high school athletic contest, including varsity, junior varsity and other subvarsity competition.
A full PAPF may be required when a student previously practiced or competed for another school in grades eight through 12. The completed form can require review by the former school, the receiving school and the appropriate UIL District Executive Committee before varsity eligibility is established.
The screening is intended to identify students who need that additional review while allowing returning students without a recent school change to complete the process quickly.
Assistance Available for Pirate Families
Parents and guardians should verify that their student appears in Rank One before attempting to submit the form. UIL guidance states that a student must first be uploaded into the system by the school district before the family can access PAPF documents.
Families needing help can contact their student’s head coach through SportsYou or district email.
The Crandall ISD Athletic Office can also be reached at 972-427-6150, extension 54050, or by email at dlawley@crandall-isd.net.
