The Effect of Physical Fitness on Attendance and the Financial Benefits Thereof

• In Event: 21.060 - Fairmont Royal York Roundtable Session Two
  In Roundtable Session: 21.060-3 - Literacy, Attendance, Teacher Pension Perceptions, and Postsecondary Supports

Abstract

A considerable amount of research has established connections between student fitness and education outcomes (Hudson et al. 2012, Grissom, 2005; Bezold et al., 2014). In this study, we consider the cost implications for differences in student fitness and attendance rates using a statewide, multi-year, individual-level, dataset. We find that students who are less fit attend fewer days of school (adjusting for other covariates) and this has a financial cost for schools in lost daily attendance payments. Further, the aggregate cost associated increases in absences is approximately $10,982,000 dollars each year across Texas schools in study timeframe. These findings have implications for education policy and curricula guidelines regarding physical education programs as well as education finance and state aid for schools.

Authors

• Danial Aaron Hoepfner, Gibson Consulting Group

• Eric Booth, Gibson Consulting Group

• Joseph Patrick Shields, Gibson Consulting Group