Dumb Jocks? Athletics impact on academic success, as measured by GPA, attendance rates, and OGT average score, of the high school student athlete

Athletic Participation on Academic Success Measured several variables GPA Attendence Rates Overall average OGT score Attendence rates Compared between gender, and athlete vs. None athlete. Data from 154 athletes and 245 non-athletes in grades 10-12 from the 12-13 school year. Surveyed athletes to see if amount of time participating effected their studies

Blanchester Background 70 square mile public school district K-12 enrollment of 1,769 students with 461 students in the high school. 47% student population poverty. spend $7,862.32 on each student each year compared to the state average of $10,597.21. The average income in the community is $40,475. 96th out of a possible 871 school districts which had their performance index calculated at the end of the 2012 school year.

Athletic Department Info 2012-2013 the athletic department spent $60,963.96 on equipment, officials’ fees, uniforms, and supplies. generated $60,893.88 through ticket sales, donations, parking pass sales, and rebates. 183 high school students participated this fall 61 had 3.5 GPA or higher during 1st quarter 82 high school students this winter

Literature Phillips and Schafer (1971) Teachers may push athletes to perform better, to be eligible Lumkin and Favor J. (2012) 139,349 Kansas students Found GPA, attendance, standard test scores better Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll 1984 – 31% public valued athletics’ role in education 2013 – 90%

GPA

Attendance

Average OGT

Time Constraints 30% thought participation in athletics negatively limits the amount of time they have to work on academics. 70% felt like they have enough time, outside of the school day, to prepare for academics. 63% believe maintaining their athletic eligibility causes them to study more. 60% consider maintaining their athletic eligibility when they schedule their classes for the next school year.

Summary Blanchester Student athletes have greater academic success compared to non-athletes. Female athletes at Blanchester have greater academic success compared to the male athletes.