A Comparison of High School End of Course Test Results of Athletes and Non-Athletes in Three North Carolina High Schools

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a positive relationship between participation in high school athletic programs and achievement on the five End of Course tests that have been used as exit standards for graduation in North Carolina. Quantitative research methods were used to answer the four research questions related to this study. Three high schools in northwestern North Carolina were selected as research sites. Student End of Course testing data were collected along with athletic participation data from each of the three schools involved. The data were analyzed to determine if there was a statistically significant relationship between participation in interscholastic athletics and achievement on End of Course tests. The data analysis of my research revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between participation in interscholastic athletics and achievement on End of Course test scores. This relationship held true for the aggregate research sample as a whole as well as for the data analyses when disaggregated by gender and school of attendance. A comprehensive analysis of all groups represented in the data is presented. Implications for those associated with high schools and interscholastic athletics are presented. Suggestions for further research are also presented.