Participation in Interscholastic Athletics Improves Achievement for Underrepresented STEM Students at the Secondary Level

• In Event: Crown Plaza Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding Student Athletes and Athletics From Multiple Perspectives

Abstract

Students who include athletic pursuits in their daily schedules tend to perform better academically than those who do not, despite increased demands on their time (Fedewa & Ahn, 2011). Unfortunately, members of underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields often experience educational disadvantages (Beamon, 2014; Comeaux, 2011; Harper & Davis, 2012; Harris, Hines, Kelly, Williams, & Bagley, 2014). Athletics offers opportunities for learning that may provide these students with avenues for academic success. This paper examined students’ scores on state-mandated, standardized tests in STEM areas to determine if participation in athletics influences student achievement for secondary students in Pennsylvania, and found that student-athletes outscore their non-athlete peers on nearly every test measure. Keywords: athletics, achievement, underrepresented, STEM

Authors

• Dina L. Dormer, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District

• William Merchant, Widener University