Book Description

"The purpose of this project was to compare the academic performance of high school athletes vs. non-athletes using grade point average and ACT scores. Using information from the Kansas State Department of Education, as well as the Kansas State High School Activities Association, provides some answers to the following questions. "Is there a significant difference in the grade point averages of high school athletes vs. non-athletes?" "Is there a significant difference in ACT scores between high school athletes vs. non-athletes?" Using statistical software, a t-test was used to challenge the null hypothesis. Findings from the study indicated that there was a significant difference in grade point average and ACT scores between athletes and non-athletes. Among the 5,017 male athletes, 74% reported a GPA of 3.0 or higher and 43% reported a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Of the 3,674 male non-athletes, only 64% reported a GPA of 3.0 or higher and only 34% reported a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Among the 4,330 female athletes, 87% reported a GPA of 3.0 or higher and 62% reported a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Of the 5,547 female non-athletes, only 75% reported a GPA of 3.0 or higher and only 44% reported a GPA of 3.5 or higher. In looking at ACT composite scores, athletes averaged a score of 22.94, while non-athletes averaged a score of 21.81."