R+Torti

__ Problem Statement  __ Does participation in high school athletics have a positive or negative effect on a student’s academic achievement, more specifically; overall G.P.A/ class rank? __ Dependent variable __ = Student G.P.A/ class rank __ Independent variable __ = Participation in school athletics This Study will be a __causal study__ determining the __cause and effect__ that participation in school athletics can have on a student’s overall G.P.A. and class rank. The effects of participation in school athletics has been a subject of debate since the 1950’s. This study will be presented in a way that will hopefully provide some clarity into the impact that sports participation really has on ones academic achievement. The effects that athletic participation has on academic achievement, more specifically student G.P.A and class rank will be the main focus of the study. It is my theory that involvement in athletics greatly increases ones ability to develop discipline, confidence, and motivation. I also believe that a person’s competitive spirit, ability to accept constructive criticism, and social networking can also be significantly improved through active participation in school athletics. __ Good Problems  __  ·   As a result of this study I believe many new areas of research can be explored; for example if it is shown that participation in school athletics does indeed lead to higher levels of academic achievement, then why is this so? What skills or traits are being learned while participating in sports that are helping or aiding a student toward achievement in academics? If the opposite is proven, then similar questions can be posed to the contrary. Another further study could be what sports in particular have a more direct relation to academic achievement? The traits and skills of that specific sport may need to be more closely examined to attain a better understanding as to why involvement in that particular sport results in more success academically.  ·   I have coached many sports at many different levels in the past 20 years. The sport in particular that I have been involved in is wrestling at the North Providence High School. I have been the head coach for the last 16 years. In the last 16 years I have developed many lasting relationships, and witnessed many success stories. In this time my interest in the topic of this study has grown considerably, which I feel results in a very compatible study. Because of my involvement in high school athletics I have access to G.P.A and class rank for many of the graduating classes of the past. I also have access to information as to who participated in what sport every year, through distribution of varsity letters and yearbook “sports participation listings” for the last 20 years. As a result of this study, new literature could be produced to help educators and coaches realize what conditions need to be produced so that we can more effectively trigger academic success