Sport Involvement and Educational Outcomes of High School Students

Abstract

This study examined the relations among sport involvement and social and personal influences on high school students’ educational expectations and attainment, using National Education Longitudinal Survey-88. Athletic engagement, educational expectations of significant others, peer support for academics, parental involvement in academics, and academic and athletic identities were measured in the 10th grade. Educational expectations and attainment were measured in the 12th grade and 8 years after high school. Socioeconomic status, academic ability, and school size were controlled. Results indicated that athletic engagement was related to youths’ formation of identities, but only their academic identity was associated with later educational outcomes. Athletic engagement and identity were not adversely related to educational outcomes.