Transcript Comparison of Student Athletes’ and Non-Athletes’ Academic Performance Study Based on Midland High School.

Comparison of Student Athletes’ and
Non-Athletes’ Academic
Performance
Study Based on Midland High School
Hypothesis
• Athletes demonstrate better academic
performance than non-athletes
• More athletic involvement = greater academic
performance
• Participation in Athletics promotes 21st
Century skills
• Athletes have greater success in career
opportunities and earning power
Midland High ACT Scores
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• Average ACT
Athletes
22.85
22.72
23.17
Non-Athletes
22
20.93
21.57
Midland High ACT Graphs
23.5
Average ACT
23
22.5
22
Athletes
21.5
Non Athletes
21
20.5
20
19.5
2010
2011
2012
Midland High GPA Numbers
• Average GPA
Athletes
• 2010 3.394
• 2011 3.3453
• 2012 3.3614
Non- Athletes
3.0212
2.8182
2.9365
Midland High GPA Graphs
4
Average GPA
3.5
3
2.5
Athletes
2
Non-Athletes
1.5
1
0.5
0
2010
2011
2012
Increased Participation and GPA
Increased Participation and ACT
Buzz words
• The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has
published a list of what it calls life and career
skills, including flexibility and adaptability,
productivity and accountability, leadership
and responsibility. Many teens find the most
congenial way to acquire such competencies is
after-school activities.
Earning power
• A 2008 paper by Christy Lleras in the journal
Social Science Research said students who
participated in sports and other activities in high
school earned more 10 years later, even when
compared to those with similar test scores. A
2005 paper by Peter Kuhn and Catherine
Weinberger in the Journal of Labor Economics
found similar results for men who occupied
leadership positions in high school. They cited
evidence that leadership is not just a natural
talent but can be learned by participating in
extracurricular activities.
Summary
• Students do better in activities
they choose. If we provide more
of them, led by committed adults,
maybe even part-timers or
volunteers, that can make a
difference. (61% of school population
participated in sports.)
Conclusions
• Both Midland and Midland Dow athletes have
a better GPA by at least .25 in 3 consecutive
years than non athletes
• Both schools athletes have a better ACT score
by at least .75 points and in some cases over 2
full points in 3 consecutive years than non
athletes