The effect of athletic participation on end-of-course assessment examinations, grade point averages & attendance

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Authors
Nesbit, Grant A.
Advisor
McKinney, Joseph R.
Issue Date
215-07-17
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (D. Ed.)
Department
Department of Educational Studies
Other Identifiers
Abstract

This was an observational study designed to gauge whether or not high school students participating in extracurricular, school-based athletic programs have greater success in passing Indiana’s English End-of-Course Assessment examinations, have increased school attendance rates, and/or higher grade point averages. Three graduating class cohorts from a large metropolitan Midwestern high school were studied and data was disaggregated into gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The impetus for this study was due to a reduction of resources dedicated to extracurricular and athletic activities while simultaneously increasing attention on End-of- Course Assessment scores, and subsequently Indiana Department of Education’s school grades. Quantitative research methods were utilized to answer six research questions posed by this study. A research site with an ideal diversity of ethnic make-up and socioeconomic disparity was selected. From that site, three graduating class cohorts were identified. English End-of-Course Assessment exam scores, student attendance figures, student grade point averages, and athletic participation data were collected for each cohort group. The data was also disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The select academic data from 1,682 students was collected and thoroughly analyzed in regards to the relationship of athletic participation or a lack of athletic participation and school attendance, English End of Course Assessment exam scores, and grade point averages. Students were divided into a total of 47 different groups, accounting for their gender, race, and socioeconomic status. Of the categories, athletes out-performed their non-athlete peers in 35 of the 47 categories, or in 74% of the categories. English End of Course Assessment exam scores as a whole were 16% higher for athletes as compared to non-athletes. School attendance was 20% higher for students that participated in athletics as compared to students that did not participate in athletics. Finally, grade point averages also showed a significant relationship with athletic participation; students participating in athletics had a 19% higher GPA than those students not participating in athletics.