The Association Between Academic Achievement and Participation in Interscholastic Sports

Many high school athletes neglect academics in their pursuit of athletics. The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to compare student athletes' criterion-referenced test scores with those of non-athletes to determine if there is an association between academic achievement and participation in interscholastic sports. Bandura's self efficacy theory provided the theoretical framework for this study. Self-efficacy theory focuses on expectancies for success for the individual. Chi square test of association was used to test the relationship between the categorical variables of academic achievement and participation in athletics. Academic achievement was measured using criterion-referenced test scores from the main core academic areas including math, science, language arts, and social studies. The scores on each test were dichotomized into categories of Pass or Fail with a baseline score of 200 in that any score above the baseline is considered passing and any score below is failing. Results of the chi-square test showed that students who are also athletes were more likely to pass each of the independent exams. Implications for social change include the potential for school leaders to place more emphasis on the importance of curriculum development that supports a more equal balance between academic subjects and sporting activities which could lead to a greater emphasis on sport in schools and colleges and a healthier next generation. Athletics as a whole may be seen as a way to improve academic performance which could lead to a more diverse body of students striving for college placement and becoming successful there.