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

• Average ACT Athletes Non-Athletes• 2010 22.85 22• 2011 22.72 20.93 • 2012 23.17 21.57

Midland High ACT Graphs

2010 2011 201219.5

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Average ACT

AthletesNon Athletes

Midland High GPA Numbers

• Average GPA Athletes Non- Athletes

• 2010 3.394 3.0212• 2011 3.3453 2.8182• 2012 3.3614 2.9365

Midland High GPA Graphs

2010 2011 20120

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Average GPA

AthletesNon-Athletes

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