Just the Facts.

_ Facts About Youth Sports and Educational Outcomes

Previously we have discussed the ways high school entities can capitalize on advertising and marketing mediums to offset costs of operations and the increasing cost for adding amenities to high school sports programs.  Rather than just focus on what school’s needs may be and how to raise capital, we also feel it also important to provide important information on what is happening in sports in general and allow not only high school administrators; but also athletes, parents and other interested parties to learn more about what is happening in high school sports today.

Research shows that kids who are active and involved in sports do better in school, are more likely to attend college, and are less likely to be truant or drop out of school than their less active peers. Yet our educational system continues to cut recess and physical education programs to spend more time on academics. After-school programs must play a vital role in getting kids involved in sports and improving their educational outcomes.

PE, as it was once known, has been continually cut from school programs throughout the United States.  When many of us were in school, a one hour segment of almost every school day was dedicated to “gym class.”  This included a myriad of activities including running and other physical activities such as sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks, rope climb, etc. And, admittedly, not every kid could do everything that was on the list of “required” elements, but in most instances, trying got one by.  I remember even the most awkward kids in my class getting through, even though they could not do more than a handful of sit-ups or push-ups.  And, it was both girls and boys taking part in this important element.  These “classes” also included more fun-like activities after the physical warm up with things like dodge ball, basketball, or other elements. 

How we got to where we are today with almost no physical requirement in high schools is amazing.  Our children are getting great at the dexterity required to use a “game console,” but many cannot run around the house they live in without being out of breath.

Sports opportunities in school are limited.  Children’s needs for daily physical activity are not being met at school.  Only 3.8% of elementary schools, 7.9% of middle schools and 2.1% of high schools provide daily physical education (PE) classes for the entire school year for students in all grades.[1] There is no federal law that requires PE to be provided to students in the American education system, nor any incentives for offering PE programs.[2]  California is one of 11 states that have requirements for the number of minutes per week spent on PE in elementary school.  However, more than half of the elementary school districts in California did not meet the requirements in 2005.[3]

Statistics show that sports participants have better academic outcomes.  Participating in interscholastic sports throughout high school is related to improved math and English grades.[4]  Adolescents who engage in moderate physical activity five or more times a week are more likely to achieve an “A” in math and science than their peers.[5]

High school athletes are more likely to have a positive relationship to school.  A longitudinal study of 22,696 high school students in 1,052 schools found that both male and female athletes had higher educational aspirations and fewer school discipline problems than non-athletes.[6]  Sports participation is associated with lower dropout rates.  In a survey of 14,249 high school students, those who participated in athletics were an estimated 1.7 times less likely to drop out than those who did not participate. [7]

And, finally, research has shown that high school athletes are more likely to attend and complete college.  The chances of graduating from college within six years of completing high school are 41% greater for females who played interscholastic high school sports than for those who did not.

So, like Jack Webb used to say on Dragnet, “just the facts, Ma'am.”  What is reflected in this analysis is that kids are more likely to be prepared for success in school if they participate in sports of some kind.  Take an interest in your child’s outside activities.  Encourage sports as part of their extra-curricular activities.  You just might find that they not only will be more successful, but healthier.

Next time, I plan to provide some interesting information on scholarships.  You might find it more enlightening than you might expect.  Until then….

 
References
[1] Department of Health and Human Services. (2006). School Health Policies and Programs Study 2006.
[2] National Association for Sport and Physical Education & American Heart Association. (2006). 2006 Shape of the nation report: Status of physical education in the USA. Reston, VA: National Association for Sport and Physical Education
[3] California Center for Public Health Advocacy. (2006). District Compliance Summary in California Elementary School PE Requirements.
[4] Broh, B. A. (2002). Linking extracurricular programming to academic achievement: Who benefits and why? Sociology of Education, 75(1), 69-95.
[5] Nelson MC, Gordon-Larsen P. (2006) Physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns are associated with selected adolescent health risk behaviors. Pediatrics ;117:1281-1290.
[6] Fejgin, N. (1994). “Participation in high school competitive sports: A subversion of school mission or contribution to academic goals?” Sociology of Sport Journal, 11:211-230.
[7] McNeal, Ralph B., Jr. (1995) Extracurricular activities and high school dropouts. Sociology of Education 68.1: 62(19).