COACHES' AND TEACHERS' PERCEPTIONS OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN ATHLETICS AND ACADEMICS IN THE CAPITAL AREA INTERMEDIATE UNIT HIGH SCHOOLS

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze high school teachers' and coaches' perceptions of participation in extracurricular activities and their relationship to academic achievement. This study investigated teachers' and coaches' perceptions of the benefits of a student participating in extracurricular activities, and how participation in school-based extracurricular sports and activities affect the students' academic achievement. Survey data are presented and reviewed, and the significance of extracurricular activities in overall achievement of students was discussed. Standardized testing has put tremendous pressure on school districts to raise academic achievement scores, while continuing to face necessary budget cuts. In the process of prioritizing funding, monies allotted for extracurricular activities are impacted. Some districts have seriously considered making students "pay to play" various sports in order to relieve budgetary constraints. This study addressed this problem by conducting a quantitative study. Teachers and coaches from fourteen Capital Area Intermediate Unit high schools took part in a survey to identify the benefits of participation in extracurricular activities.